I work at Radio Uppland and am working on a report about lack of competition in the building materials trade. I would like to get in touch with people from Uppland who have traveled to one of our neighboring countries to purchase building materials, someone who can share their experiences. In that case, call me at 018 560533 (9-17.30).
Best regards, Marcus Hansson
Best regards, Marcus Hansson
So simple yet so wrong in thought. I would like to say: Sink Sweden, shop Swedish, if I may exaggerate in the other direction.fooney said:
The more competition we have, the better competitiveness we will have in the end. No one benefits from propping up industries that can't compete. In the end, it just becomes expensive for consumers.
Best regards,
David
Is lumber such as studs and paneling also cheaper in Poland?
I wouldn't buy timber in Poland. Partly because the quality is lower while the price is about the same. According to the Poles I have spoken with.
Heard a horror story the other day. A stable east of Stockholm that was built with timber from some Eastern Bloc country was infested with some form of fungus. Initially, there was talk about everything being torn down and even washing machines, etc. having to be thrown away due to infection risk. Now it seems that the stable can still be saved.
I think I'll buy my timber in Sweden. Especially after the storm, prices should drop quite a bit.
Regards,
David
Heard a horror story the other day. A stable east of Stockholm that was built with timber from some Eastern Bloc country was infested with some form of fungus. Initially, there was talk about everything being torn down and even washing machines, etc. having to be thrown away due to infection risk.
Now it seems that the stable can still be saved.I think I'll buy my timber in Sweden. Especially after the storm, prices should drop quite a bit.
Regards,
David
Timber prices yes! but hardly the prices of processed wood (lumber yards)!David said:I would not buy timber in Poland. The quality is lower, and the price is about the same. According to the Poles I've talked to.
Heard a horror story the other day. A stable east of Stockholm built with timber from some eastern European country was infected with some kind of fungus. Initially, it was talked about tearing everything down, and even washing machines, etc., were supposed to be thrown away due to the infection risk.
I will probably buy my timber in Sweden. Especially after the storm, prices should drop quite a bit.
Regards
David
Yes, but it's about supply and demand, and many have to share the money from the small log.David said:
I personally think timber prices are too high but also know that many small sawmills in Sweden will have to close due to poor profitability. The large sawmills and companies like Byggmax, Bauhaus are gradually outcompeting them
Hello Everyone!!!
Just wanted to say that I've been to Poland to shop.
We left on Thursday evening (21:00) from Karlskrona, arrived Friday morning at 09:00 in Gdynia. We had rented a
Merca Sprinter with a composite box at Statoil, and it could load 1060 kg. Anyway, when we arrived, we just drove straight to the hotel to check in
(We stayed at Hotel Faltom), amusingly enough, it was right next to Castorama in the Rumia district of Gdynia.
It took fifteen minutes to drive there from the ferry. At 10:00
We rushed over to Castorama, we were like kids in a candy store. The selection there was enormous, but we decided to check the prices before buying anything, so we went on to all the "well-known DIY stores" we've read about here on the forum.
The conclusion was that Castorama and Leroy Merlin were the stores that gave the most "quality" feel.
I would say that it PAYS OFF to go there to make all the purchases, the price differences were anywhere from half to one-fifth compared to Swedish prices, and brand products were bought, so obviously someone is making a pretty penny by being "solidary" or patriotic or downright idiotic (haha) choose for yourselves. This trip made me wonder... where is Sweden headed??? There was a guy at work who couldn't understand how I could go to Poland and support them. He thought I was betraying Swedish trade.... (it's not Skanska financing my build) but my own hard-earned cash, so you have to look out for yourself, that's how it is.
I just have to add something, then you won't have to listen to my rambling. On Friday evening when we had been out checking out all the stores, it was about 20:45, and I thought I'd pop into Castorama next to our hotel. Now I knew what I wanted, so I grabbed a Polish guy inside and said: I would like to buy some stuff but you close in about 15 minutes, so could we perhaps book a time in the morning so you can help me gather everything? He replied: wait a moment, I'll just get the manager... The manager came and said, Hi!! Shall we see what you need, we won't close until you are satisfied, then we'll pack everything up so you can come here tomorrow morning and pick up your goods, it took 1 hour and 10 minutes then I was done. My receipt from the checkout says 22:18.
I want to point out that this is a store as big as Hornbach if not bigger. I bought stuff for 20,000 kr that evening, which is a small amount in such a large store. Which DIY store or any other shop in Sweden would do that... NO ONE!!! So my advice is to take your friends or family, go down, have a good time, shop like crazy. I've already planned a trip in 2 months. I will probably post the prices of everything I bought here on the forum.
//Skopis
Just wanted to say that I've been to Poland to shop.
We left on Thursday evening (21:00) from Karlskrona, arrived Friday morning at 09:00 in Gdynia. We had rented a
Merca Sprinter with a composite box at Statoil, and it could load 1060 kg. Anyway, when we arrived, we just drove straight to the hotel to check in
(We stayed at Hotel Faltom), amusingly enough, it was right next to Castorama in the Rumia district of Gdynia.
It took fifteen minutes to drive there from the ferry. At 10:00
We rushed over to Castorama, we were like kids in a candy store. The selection there was enormous, but we decided to check the prices before buying anything, so we went on to all the "well-known DIY stores" we've read about here on the forum.
The conclusion was that Castorama and Leroy Merlin were the stores that gave the most "quality" feel.
I would say that it PAYS OFF to go there to make all the purchases, the price differences were anywhere from half to one-fifth compared to Swedish prices, and brand products were bought, so obviously someone is making a pretty penny by being "solidary" or patriotic or downright idiotic (haha) choose for yourselves. This trip made me wonder... where is Sweden headed??? There was a guy at work who couldn't understand how I could go to Poland and support them. He thought I was betraying Swedish trade.... (it's not Skanska financing my build) but my own hard-earned cash, so you have to look out for yourself, that's how it is.
I just have to add something, then you won't have to listen to my rambling. On Friday evening when we had been out checking out all the stores, it was about 20:45, and I thought I'd pop into Castorama next to our hotel. Now I knew what I wanted, so I grabbed a Polish guy inside and said: I would like to buy some stuff but you close in about 15 minutes, so could we perhaps book a time in the morning so you can help me gather everything? He replied: wait a moment, I'll just get the manager... The manager came and said, Hi!! Shall we see what you need, we won't close until you are satisfied, then we'll pack everything up so you can come here tomorrow morning and pick up your goods, it took 1 hour and 10 minutes then I was done. My receipt from the checkout says 22:18.
I want to point out that this is a store as big as Hornbach if not bigger. I bought stuff for 20,000 kr that evening, which is a small amount in such a large store. Which DIY store or any other shop in Sweden would do that... NO ONE!!! So my advice is to take your friends or family, go down, have a good time, shop like crazy. I've already planned a trip in 2 months.
I will probably post the prices of everything I bought here on the forum.//Skopis
Hi Skopis,
glad to hear that your trip was a success. It's always great to read about those who have actually been there instead of listening to pure speculation. It would be very valuable if you could provide some prices of the things you bought on your trip.
Thanks
/Blofeldt
glad to hear that your trip was a success. It's always great to read about those who have actually been there instead of listening to pure speculation. It would be very valuable if you could provide some prices of the things you bought on your trip.
Thanks
/Blofeldt
I can also contribute some 'practical' experience. Returned from Poland (Gdansk, via Swinoujscie - Ystad) last Sunday (200 miles driving in a snowstorm, 49 km average speed...).
The stores that have a selection that best suits Swedes (I think!) are Castorama and Leroy Merlin. Praktiker and OBI do not have the same range and are generally higher in price. Exceptions are the products they use as bait items in their flyers. Nomi (Polish building trade) has good prices but a limited range compared to Castorama. Leroy Merlin, in our opinion, was the store with the best range - everything from cheap to expensive (e.g., Polish mixers and imported mixers like Hans Grohe). However, Castorama wins on the overall impression!
In Gdansk, there are three Castorama stores, and if you want to save time, you shouldn't visit the one located in Gdansk city (limited selection due to the size of the store) but instead choose Rumia or the store near IKEA.
Tip: If you know what you're looking for, send an email to the store before you travel - email addresses can be found at http://www.castorama.pl by clicking through to the address details.
I myself have bought garage doors (with opener, LPU40 Hörmann) and saved about 33% compared to hard-negotiated prices in Sweden. What we will probably buy in addition is a kitchen from IKEA (here we save more than 10 thousand, almost 40%), flooring (25-75%), appliances (20-75% - Electrolux, Whirlpool, Bosch, Siemens, or Miele), garden equipment, and other odds and ends. We expect to average 40-50% savings on our purchases. We abstain from sanitary porcelain and other plumbing items since we have included this in the plumbing contract. Otherwise, sanitary porcelain would have been yet another product type that one can save a lot of money on (50-90%).
Don't miss visiting one of the large grocery stores (Geant, Auchan, or Real) where you can really shop and save money (if you know the price of the goods back home, that is).
What probably doesn't pay off much is buying products imported into Poland. Some exceptions naturally exist.
What probably also does not pay off is purchasing products already imported by Swedish building supply companies such as Byggmax, http://www.city-country.se/, among others. The freight cost probably eats up most of the price difference on bulk goods, drywall, stone, etc.
For those of you who live in Skåne, it is for many a detour to go via Karlskrona with Stenaline, even though the price for shopping cruises is phenomenally priced. We've tried the Ystad line to Swinoujscie but will choose to travel with TT-line to Germany the next time we go to Szczecin (Stettin in German). The price is better if you choose a day departure then the trailer doesn't cost more than a few hundred kronor to bring along - and then you can choose your return trip when it suits! In Szczecin, there are two Castorama stores and several other building supply stores (including Nomi). Other shopping is also well-developed since the time when cross-border trade with Germany was the major growth factor for the area.
Oh, one last tip - watch out for the Polish driver. Speed is often high, overtaking is done with minimal margins, and respect for solid lines and traffic behaviors that we in Sweden perceive as 'self-evident' is very low.
Good luck with your shopping!
The stores that have a selection that best suits Swedes (I think!) are Castorama and Leroy Merlin. Praktiker and OBI do not have the same range and are generally higher in price. Exceptions are the products they use as bait items in their flyers. Nomi (Polish building trade) has good prices but a limited range compared to Castorama. Leroy Merlin, in our opinion, was the store with the best range - everything from cheap to expensive (e.g., Polish mixers and imported mixers like Hans Grohe). However, Castorama wins on the overall impression!
In Gdansk, there are three Castorama stores, and if you want to save time, you shouldn't visit the one located in Gdansk city (limited selection due to the size of the store) but instead choose Rumia or the store near IKEA.
Tip: If you know what you're looking for, send an email to the store before you travel - email addresses can be found at http://www.castorama.pl by clicking through to the address details.
I myself have bought garage doors (with opener, LPU40 Hörmann) and saved about 33% compared to hard-negotiated prices in Sweden. What we will probably buy in addition is a kitchen from IKEA (here we save more than 10 thousand, almost 40%), flooring (25-75%), appliances (20-75% - Electrolux, Whirlpool, Bosch, Siemens, or Miele), garden equipment, and other odds and ends. We expect to average 40-50% savings on our purchases. We abstain from sanitary porcelain and other plumbing items since we have included this in the plumbing contract. Otherwise, sanitary porcelain would have been yet another product type that one can save a lot of money on (50-90%).
Don't miss visiting one of the large grocery stores (Geant, Auchan, or Real) where you can really shop and save money (if you know the price of the goods back home, that is).
What probably doesn't pay off much is buying products imported into Poland. Some exceptions naturally exist.
What probably also does not pay off is purchasing products already imported by Swedish building supply companies such as Byggmax, http://www.city-country.se/, among others. The freight cost probably eats up most of the price difference on bulk goods, drywall, stone, etc.
For those of you who live in Skåne, it is for many a detour to go via Karlskrona with Stenaline, even though the price for shopping cruises is phenomenally priced. We've tried the Ystad line to Swinoujscie but will choose to travel with TT-line to Germany the next time we go to Szczecin (Stettin in German). The price is better if you choose a day departure then the trailer doesn't cost more than a few hundred kronor to bring along - and then you can choose your return trip when it suits! In Szczecin, there are two Castorama stores and several other building supply stores (including Nomi). Other shopping is also well-developed since the time when cross-border trade with Germany was the major growth factor for the area.
Oh, one last tip - watch out for the Polish driver. Speed is often high, overtaking is done with minimal margins, and respect for solid lines and traffic behaviors that we in Sweden perceive as 'self-evident' is very low.
Good luck with your shopping!
If I understand you correctly, Stettin is a fairly good alternative to Gdansk? I know when we looked last fall that many smaller/specialized stores were only in the Gdansk area. But if the larger stores meet one's needs, you can at least start there.
We ourselves were considering traveling via Sassnitz if we ever get going.
Janne
We ourselves were considering traveling via Sassnitz if we ever get going.
Janne
Hello Good Folks !!!
Skopis here. I promised to post some prices on the forum and here they are:
Hans Grohe basin mixer:
mod: Talis Sportive, price 395 zl
Hans Grohe thermostat mixer for shower
mod: Centostat 1000, price 654 zl
Hans Grohe shower set
mod: Unica Torrent, price 798 zl
Hans Grohe wall-hung toilet with built-in cistern
mod: Rapid S, complete price with everything including toilet seat 1037 zl
frosted glass blocks (note: same brand that is also sold at Hornbach and other DIY stores in Sweden)
price: 12.70 zl (similar ones in Sweden cost about 70 kr each)
Solid oak steps for the new staircase, just need oiling (dimensions of steps 1200x300x35) price 138 zl
100-liter water heater (stainless steel) brand Gorenje with digital display and A-rated for electricity
price: 1029zl
Turbovent fan 200mm for natural ventilation to fireplace
I think they are called spiravent or something similar here at home, always featured in the ad pages in Vi i villa
price: 332 zl
Interior door brand Kilgard complete with frame
(smooth white door with a small round window in the middle)
mod: G64 price 787 zl
I have bought a lot of stuff but this should give you an idea of what things cost in Poland, remember to multiply all prices by 2.25 to get the Swedish sum.
My carpenter came along on the trip, he was just going to check out the Polish market, it ended up with him bringing back a hot tub (2300zl) Elekrolux washing machine and condenser dryer (3100 zl for both) shower wall (250zl) and 6 chairs and an oak table plus 2 additional leaves (1800zl) at Jysk in Poland. + a ton of shoes for his partner and kids. luckily we had plenty of space in the Merca Sprinter.
Hope this gives you an idea of the prices down there,
We shall be going again in about 2 months
Best regards
Skopis
Skopis here. I promised to post some prices on the forum and here they are:
Hans Grohe basin mixer:
mod: Talis Sportive, price 395 zl
Hans Grohe thermostat mixer for shower
mod: Centostat 1000, price 654 zl
Hans Grohe shower set
mod: Unica Torrent, price 798 zl
Hans Grohe wall-hung toilet with built-in cistern
mod: Rapid S, complete price with everything including toilet seat 1037 zl
frosted glass blocks (note: same brand that is also sold at Hornbach and other DIY stores in Sweden)
price: 12.70 zl (similar ones in Sweden cost about 70 kr each)
Solid oak steps for the new staircase, just need oiling (dimensions of steps 1200x300x35) price 138 zl
100-liter water heater (stainless steel) brand Gorenje with digital display and A-rated for electricity
price: 1029zl
Turbovent fan 200mm for natural ventilation to fireplace
I think they are called spiravent or something similar here at home, always featured in the ad pages in Vi i villa
price: 332 zl
Interior door brand Kilgard complete with frame
(smooth white door with a small round window in the middle)
mod: G64 price 787 zl
I have bought a lot of stuff but this should give you an idea of what things cost in Poland, remember to multiply all prices by 2.25 to get the Swedish sum.
My carpenter came along on the trip, he was just going to check out the Polish market, it ended up with him bringing back a hot tub (2300zl) Elekrolux washing machine and condenser dryer (3100 zl for both) shower wall (250zl) and 6 chairs and an oak table plus 2 additional leaves (1800zl) at Jysk in Poland. + a ton of shoes for his partner and kids. luckily we had plenty of space in the Merca Sprinter.
Hope this gives you an idea of the prices down there,
We shall be going again in about 2 months
Best regards
Skopis
And the zloty is at?