Saw a program a year ago about the big price differences in hardware stores in Sweden compared to Germany. There was a huge difference, especially in tiles, bathtubs, tools, etc. Has anyone taken advantage of this? Of course, there are transportation costs, but does anyone know if this can be profitable?There is quite a difference between, for example, tiles and klinkers, generally, you can expect less than half the price compared to Sweden. Whether it pays off is a question of how much you need.
If you, for example, need about 50 m2, which would cost 300:- per m2 here, i.e. 15,000:-, there is a high likelihood that you will find similar in Germany for about 100:- per m2. You save about 10,000:- minus travel costs.
If you live in the southern part of the country, you can just drive down with a car and "shop". Just keep in mind that klinkers weigh about 16 kg/m2.
If you, for example, need about 50 m2, which would cost 300:- per m2 here, i.e. 15,000:-, there is a high likelihood that you will find similar in Germany for about 100:- per m2. You save about 10,000:- minus travel costs.
If you live in the southern part of the country, you can just drive down with a car and "shop". Just keep in mind that klinkers weigh about 16 kg/m2.
We have been to Germany and examined the construction market. The differences are so great that it is astonishing! For example, 1cm thick 30X30 large Carrara Marble for 220 SEK/m2 here costs up to 900 SEK! Tiles between 100-150 SEK/m2. When it comes to building materials, everything is much cheaper there, we have been able to ascertain. Appliances were not as profitable, just a few hundred SEK cheaper. We will go and buy everything we need there. We bought a car for the purpose, which we will sell later when the construction is complete.
Forgot to say...
Check out www.tumstock.se they sell products from Germany, super cheap, no shipping cost.
They don't have everything but a lot.
Check out www.tumstock.se they sell products from Germany, super cheap, no shipping cost.
They don't have everything but a lot.
Sweli: May I ask where in Germany you went to scout the situation? Any specific hardware store? Or is it simply cheap no matter where you go?
For us, it would be easy to take the Stena boat to Kiel and start from there... but one has no idea where to go..?
For us, it would be easy to take the Stena boat to Kiel and start from there... but one has no idea where to go..?
We have been to Rostock and Lübeck at most hardware stores and other stores there.
Everywhere is cheaper than in Sweden. There are also differences in prices there. If I remember correctly, someone else here on the forum. Look for Germany in posts, and I think you'll find it.
If you have the opportunity, go there!!!
We went on a weekend trip, stayed at a super cozy old hotel in the middle of Lübeck and drove around. We were there in April.
We are going again in January to buy what we need.
Everywhere is cheaper than in Sweden. There are also differences in prices there. If I remember correctly, someone else here on the forum. Look for Germany in posts, and I think you'll find it.
If you have the opportunity, go there!!!
We went on a weekend trip, stayed at a super cozy old hotel in the middle of Lübeck and drove around. We were there in April.
We are going again in January to buy what we need.
Yes you can take a weekend trip and combine business with pleasure then!! ;D
I am primarily thinking of tiles which seem to be significantly cheaper there. My partner can borrow a van from work, so there will be room for a few things if we find anything else... It will definitely have to be a trip in the spring!
I am primarily thinking of tiles which seem to be significantly cheaper there. My partner can borrow a van from work, so there will be room for a few things if we find anything else... It will definitely have to be a trip in the spring!
Here I found previous posts from Martin:
www.maxbahr.de
www.praktiker.de
www.hagebau.de
www.obi.de
All have supermarkets in Rostock, Stralsund, some even in small towns. On the websites, you can look for directions, etc.
Praktiker is probably the cheapest, Obi is somehow linked to Quelle which is Europe's largest mail-order company. Obi is quite expensive, but has good service.
Bahr only delivers in Germany.
The assortments differ slightly from Swedish DIY stores, but it pays to compare prices. If one can bear to see the result with one's own eyes.
/Martin
www.maxbahr.de
www.praktiker.de
www.hagebau.de
www.obi.de
All have supermarkets in Rostock, Stralsund, some even in small towns. On the websites, you can look for directions, etc.
Praktiker is probably the cheapest, Obi is somehow linked to Quelle which is Europe's largest mail-order company. Obi is quite expensive, but has good service.
Bahr only delivers in Germany.
The assortments differ slightly from Swedish DIY stores, but it pays to compare prices. If one can bear to see the result with one's own eyes.
/Martin
We bought a van, but you have to keep in mind that they only carry a little over 1 ton. Tiles & clinker are heavy! We calculated that for our house, we will need over 2.5 tons of cargo capacity. Not sure how we will solve it, but we will save a lot of money and have a really nice vacation at the same time ;D ;D ;D
There is a huge store, 5 floors big, Möbelkraft, located about 30 km from Lübeck. They have everything, from bedding, interior design, kitchen, bathroom, furniture, everything! It's incredible, like Ikea but much better! If you go there, do it on Saturday, on Sundays you can only look around.
There is a huge store, 5 floors big, Möbelkraft, located about 30 km from Lübeck. They have everything, from bedding, interior design, kitchen, bathroom, furniture, everything! It's incredible, like Ikea but much better! If you go there, do it on Saturday, on Sundays you can only look around.
Marge, it was nothing. Trying to find the company online but I couldn't. Maybe because I don't speak German :-/
I’ll ask my partner what the hotel is called and where it is in Lübeck. I know it was from the 1700s, right in the middle of a square.
Cost in April, 700 SEK per night for 2 including breakfast.
Nice staff and clean.
Maybe you can take the opportunity and have a little romantic mini-vacation
I’ll ask my partner what the hotel is called and where it is in Lübeck. I know it was from the 1700s, right in the middle of a square.
Cost in April, 700 SEK per night for 2 including breakfast.
Nice staff and clean.
Maybe you can take the opportunity and have a little romantic mini-vacation
Fantastic what you can learn here on this forum!
I surfed into the links and found that 14 mm Bokparkett costs less than 20 Euro / sqm!
It's scary what kind of markup we must have in our stores in Sweden.
Unfortunately, it's quite a distance from Stockholm to Lübeck, but if you are closer, it should be fairly easy to calculate a significant saving even if you only have a small truck!
I surfed into the links and found that 14 mm Bokparkett costs less than 20 Euro / sqm!
It's scary what kind of markup we must have in our stores in Sweden.
Unfortunately, it's quite a distance from Stockholm to Lübeck, but if you are closer, it should be fairly easy to calculate a significant saving even if you only have a small truck!
There is more to learn here.. 8)
Surf to http://www.byggmax.se
There you will find 15mm beech parquet for 189kr/m2.
No, Ekke, I'm not impressed with the prices on folding rulers either... looked around a bit and most things can be found for the same or cheaper here.
Byggmax is, by the way, a goldmine for those with an eye on the price.
Surf to http://www.byggmax.se
There you will find 15mm beech parquet for 189kr/m2.
No, Ekke, I'm not impressed with the prices on folding rulers either... looked around a bit and most things can be found for the same or cheaper here.
Byggmax is, by the way, a goldmine for those with an eye on the price.