Times are pretty lean out there for the average homeowner so it is important that you get the best deals possible whether you are looking to get some tiling done, be it wall tiling, floor tiling, a full bathroom renovation, simply tiling your kitchen worktop areas or regrouting to spruce up some existing tiling or putting a silicone sealant trim in place to stop leaks from shower cubicles.
Go direct to the trades suppliers - get wholesale prices for tiling materials
The first thing to remember when buying materials is that you really are better off getting trade prices. Even the wholesalers and suppliers who provide materials to tilers and bathroom installer tradesmen are struggling in these very difficult financial times so it is always worth asking the likes of Travis Perkins, Builder Center, Tile Center, Jewsons and any other local builders merchants whether they deal with the public and what type of discounts are available to the homeowner. You will find that nowadays they simply do not care who they sell materials to, as long as you are prepared to help pay their bills.
Another option is to
find a tiler and ask him whether you can buy the materials through his trade account if he has one with suppliers mentioned above such as Travis Perkins. You can pay the account for him and get the materials sometimes at very attractive trade discount prices.
Consider Screwfix for tiling materials - Buy tiling materials where the trade buys
They provide materials at trade prices but they are not just for tilers or tradesmen. They target the tiler and tradesmen market but they have outlets which anyone can walk into now in most cities. They are part of B & Q so you should get your materials there but often pay less than you would in B And Q stores. They have a very good website where you can buy online and also you can go to their site and check for branches.
Ask for discounts - don't be afraid to haggle for reduced materials prices. The construction industry (including tilers) is going through a very hard time and many may consider it is better to get a deal than not even if they give the tiler materials away cheap to you.
Look for cheap materials for jobs in the right month
It will be far cheaper general speaking to buy materials for tiling jobs in the early part of the year. January is a good time to start looking for materials as there are many discounts. Again, the tiler and construction trades industry has a difficult time at this time of year so you are likely to get some good deals even if you are not looking to get your
tiling jobs done until later on.
