Since the global pandemic started in 2020, there have been various supply issues with lots of products and materials worldwide, and it is the same with construction supplies. A sudden increase in demand when the world opened up again and a lack of supply affected prices and also lead times of various materials and items. You will be aware of the fluctuating costs of materials if you are currently planning a construction project, which can be frustrating and messes up budgeting massively. Below you can find some tips to help you get the best deals on the materials you need for your construction project and stop the costs from spiralling out of control.
Supply Materials Yourself
Many building companies will offer to supply the materials you need for your project, but you can save money by getting them yourself and paying them only for labour. You can find that some companies are adding between 10-15% onto the cost of materials, which can significantly increase your project’s overall cost. Rather than have your building company supply the construction materials you require, make yourself the project manager and source everything needed, and it can save you a small fortune.
Create A Materials Calendar
You will need to create a list of all the materials you need and when you need them so you can refer to your calendar and order the materials for when you need them delivered. You will want to have the construction materials before you need them, and any delay can cost money as you must still pay for labour even if they do not have the necessary materials to do the job. Once you have a list of materials and when you need them, you can start looking online for the best prices and placing your orders.
Looking For Materials Suppliers Online
You must start going through each item on your shopping list and search for reputable suppliers that offer affordable prices for what you need to buy. When looking at prices, remember that VAT is usually not included, which will add 20% to the cost, and there are delivery charges to pay. Getting as much as you can from the same suppliers will help reduce the delivery charges you pay but using multiple suppliers can be more cost-effective when the prices vary drastically for what you require.
You will need to compare the prices you find for the various construction materials you are purchasing and look at the availability. Saving a few pounds but waiting much longer for delivery can cost you more in the long run when you need to pay for the workers who cannot do their job because the materials are not there. Ensure that you order everything required and have it delivered before it is needed, which may mean you also need to find somewhere suitable to store everything.
It can take some time and a lot of effort, but by shopping around, you can make significant savings on the cost of your construction materials and reduce the overall cost of your project.
