A builders' merchant specialises in selling a wide range of building materials, building supplies and equipment to trade professionals, contractors, and individuals involved in building, renovation, and maintenance projects. A good builders' merchant is your trusted supplier of trade specific goods and will serve as intermediaries between manufacturers or wholesalers and the end customers in the construction industry.

Builders' merchants typically offer a comprehensive selection of products, including but not limited to:

1. Timber and sheet materials: Various types of timber, plywood, chipboard, and other sheet materials used in construction, joinery and carpentry.

2. Bricks, blocks, and aggregates: A wide range of bricks, blocks, sand, gravel, cement, and other building aggregates.

3. Plumbing and heating supplies: Pipes, fittings, boilers, radiators, and other plumbing and heating components.

4. Electrical supplies: Wiring, switches, sockets, lighting fixtures, and other electrical equipment.

5. Tools and equipment: Hand tools, power tools, protective equipment, and machinery required for building work as well as fixings, sealants and adhesives.

6. Roofing materials: Tiles, slates, roofing sheets, membranes, and other roofing products.

7. Landscaping and garden supplies: Paving, decking materials, fencing, topsoil, decorative gravels and other outdoor products.

8. Paints and finishes: Various types of paints, stains, varnishes, and other coatings for interior and exterior applications such as plaster, metal, timber and masonry.

Builders' merchants cater to many trades from professional builders, contractors, plumbers, roofers, decorators, landscapers to self-builders and DIY enthusiasts. We provide these customers with the necessary materials, tools, and equipment to complete their projects efficiently and effectively.

We provide a delivery service to ensure heavy and bulky building supplies can be delivered direct to a building site as well as a click and collect service so tradespeople can collect the goods they need to complete their jobs.

Why Use a Builders Merchant:

There are several very good reasons why individuals, professionals, and contractors choose to use a builders' merchant for their construction and building material needs:

Extensive Product Range:

Builders' merchants offer a wide variety of products, including different types of building materials, supplies, tools, and equipment, all under one roof. This saves our customers time and effort making us a convenient one-stop shop for all your materials to get the job done. JT Atkinson branches stock over 25,000 products to cater for all trades and has dedicated counters for plumbing and heating professionals, large well stocked yards and warehouses as well as bathroom showrooms and displays.

We typically maintain large ranges of products, ensuring high availability and quick access to materials. We have great relationships with manufacturers and suppliers, allowing us to source materials quickly.

A good merchant will source their products from reputable suppliers, ensuring that you always have access to quality materials for your projects. At JT Atkinson we have excellent relationships with the UK’s market-leading suppliers and manufacturers, so we save you the time and effort of searching multiple suppliers, making your procurement process more efficient.

Specialist Products:

We only work with reputable brands, ensuring that you get high-quality materials that meet industry standards. This can help prevent issues with subpar materials that may cause problems down the line. Not only do JT Atkinson stock quality products, but we can source a wide range of specialised products that may not be readily available from other retailers. This can be particularly beneficial for niche renovation projects or specific building requirements such as building in heritage or conservation areas.

Expert Advice and Outstanding Service:

Advice is invaluable, and JT Atkinson is known for the friendly, personal service we provide with one of the highest Trustpilot ratings in the industry. We have a team of experts in each branch who can guide product selection, usage, and installation techniques. This advice can be priceless, especially for DIY projects or when dealing with unfamiliar materials. We all know that not every project is the same, each comes with its unique challenges and requirements. Our knowledgeable staff can provide you with expert advice, helping you select the right materials and tools for your specific job. Whether you're unsure about the right adhesive for a particular surface or need guidance on the correct paint for a specific application. With a range of experts including dedicated plumbing, bathroom, building, and timber teams combined with our 160 years of experience – we know our stuff! Tap into unlimited advice from knowledgeable and friendly staff and achieve better results.

Convenience and Time-Saving:

Did you know tradesmen are one of the largest self-employed industries in the UK which means time is money! We have all the materials you need in one place, saving you valuable time that may otherwise be spent travelling to various retail suppliers. When you're tackling a big project, JT Atkinson can provide the necessary quantities of materials, tools, and equipment efficiently and we're good at finding those specialist items too.

Competitive pricing:

When it comes to buying building materials, there's strength in numbers. Larger merchants, like JT Atkinson, have the advantage of buying in large quantities, which allows us to offer competitive prices on our products. This means you can save money compared to buying from multiple suppliers. Whether your project is big or small, it's important to keep your costs in check, and it's always great to save money on your materials.

Trade accounts and credit facilities:

Builders' merchants provide trade accounts and credit facilities to trade professionals, frequent DIYers and self-builders, as well as other organisations and businesses. This allows customers to purchase materials on credit, simplifying their account management, cash flows and expenses.

Delivery services:

Builders' merchants often offer delivery services, ensuring that materials and equipment are transported directly to the construction site or customer's location at a date and time convenient for you. Here we have a fleet of vehicles including HIAB’s and with our team of highly skilled drivers, tricky deliveries become hassle-free.

Trade discounts:

Most builders merchants including us offer trade accounts or discounts for professional builders, contractors, plumbers, plasters, joiners, and more. This helps keep the costs down on jobs. Building a relationship with a builder’s merchant can be advantageous in the long run. We can become a trusted supplier, offering personalised service, priority access to new products, and additional support when needed.

Support for large projects:

Builders' merchants are equipped to handle large-scale construction projects. They can efficiently manage orders, coordinate deliveries, and provide logistical support for complex requirements. We have a central sales team and a contracts team to help you source, price up and deliver all the materials you need for large projects and developments.

Using a combined building, plumbing and timber merchant like JT Atkinson can be a smart decision for several reasons. From the extensive range of quality products and expert advice to competitive pricing and convenience, we are on hand with expertise and resources, to make your life easier. So, next time you're in need of building materials, consider the many benefits of working with a trusted builder's merchant. Your timeline and pockets will thank you for it!

If you want to get started on a project or open a trade account don’t hesitate to drop into branch or contact us.