Hello!
I have received a quote for materials from two hardware stores. XL-bygg and Beijerbygg. Both are around 13000.
When I check at Byggmax, I get up to 10000 for "the same" things.
I wonder if there's any real difference in quality; you usually get what you pay for.
One thing included in the quote, for example, is insulation.
http://www.byggmax.com/se-sv/Prod/PID-16111.aspx
versus, for example
http://www.beijerbygg.se/templates/BB_Produkt.aspx?id=60642
There is a certain price difference, I must say, but both have the same lambda value, 37. So it should be the same quality.
Byggmax writes about their product, for example:
"The company has managed to reduce byproducts such as phenol-formaldehyde to well below the permitted level."
Even if they have reduced the levels, they might be higher than in, for example, Beijer's; phenol-formaldehyde does sound a bit toxic, I mean.
Then it struck me that most craftsmen do not seem to buy materials at Byggmax, which is a bit strange if the prices are that much lower. NOTE, this is just a feeling I have, nothing to base this on, so please correct me if I'm wrong.
What do you think, do you have any experience regarding the quality of Byggmax compared to other chains?
Many thanks in advance
Fredrik
I have received a quote for materials from two hardware stores. XL-bygg and Beijerbygg. Both are around 13000.
When I check at Byggmax, I get up to 10000 for "the same" things.
I wonder if there's any real difference in quality; you usually get what you pay for.
One thing included in the quote, for example, is insulation.
http://www.byggmax.com/se-sv/Prod/PID-16111.aspx
versus, for example
http://www.beijerbygg.se/templates/BB_Produkt.aspx?id=60642
There is a certain price difference, I must say, but both have the same lambda value, 37. So it should be the same quality.
Byggmax writes about their product, for example:
"The company has managed to reduce byproducts such as phenol-formaldehyde to well below the permitted level."
Even if they have reduced the levels, they might be higher than in, for example, Beijer's; phenol-formaldehyde does sound a bit toxic, I mean.
Then it struck me that most craftsmen do not seem to buy materials at Byggmax, which is a bit strange if the prices are that much lower. NOTE, this is just a feeling I have, nothing to base this on, so please correct me if I'm wrong.
What do you think, do you have any experience regarding the quality of Byggmax compared to other chains?
Many thanks in advance
Fredrik
You will likely get a variety of answers here, but here is my comment anyway:
"It depends."
When it comes to insulation, Byggmax now uses Knauf insulation (the one you linked to is discontinued), and Knauf is one of the world's largest insulation manufacturers. The insulation Byggmax buys from Knauf is mostly manufactured in England and is just as good quality as others, like Paroc, Isover, etc.
I happily buy OSB, nails, and lumber at Byggmax myself, but not construction lumber, which they don't have as far as I know.
Craftsmen don't shop at Byggmax simply because they get significant business discounts at Beijers and XL... Byggmax has no discounts, period.
I plan to get quotes from Beijers and XL in Kungsbacka for construction lumber and insulation... how do you experience their customer service? Did they calculate the quote, or did you only get list prices?
"It depends."
When it comes to insulation, Byggmax now uses Knauf insulation (the one you linked to is discontinued), and Knauf is one of the world's largest insulation manufacturers. The insulation Byggmax buys from Knauf is mostly manufactured in England and is just as good quality as others, like Paroc, Isover, etc.
I happily buy OSB, nails, and lumber at Byggmax myself, but not construction lumber, which they don't have as far as I know.
Craftsmen don't shop at Byggmax simply because they get significant business discounts at Beijers and XL... Byggmax has no discounts, period.
I plan to get quotes from Beijers and XL in Kungsbacka for construction lumber and insulation... how do you experience their customer service? Did they calculate the quote, or did you only get list prices?
Hello!
Very good explanation regarding why craftsmen don't seem to shop at Byggmax! It was a good explanation!
The reception from both XL and Beijer was very good, I thought they provided good and clear quotes, and suggested changes in the order that would better suit my needs.
Thank you also for your experience with the insulation!
Best regards, Fredrik
Very good explanation regarding why craftsmen don't seem to shop at Byggmax! It was a good explanation!
The reception from both XL and Beijer was very good, I thought they provided good and clear quotes, and suggested changes in the order that would better suit my needs.
Thank you also for your experience with the insulation!
Best regards, Fredrik
One thing that Byggmax has where they are better than all "pro shops" in Stockholm is glulam beams. They are special order items everywhere except at Byggmax.
Quality discussions are recurring and almost impossible to answer simply. It seems to vary from store to store too; if there is the same product, you can manage it, but different brands of insulation, drywall, etc., are usually impossible for me as a layman to judge. Personally, I prefer a smaller place where you can have an ongoing discussion over time, so I buy all large batches of timber at Knivsta Byggmarknad, where Lasse has been out to my house and knows what I've done and how it looks. I buy smaller items at Beijers because I have received good service, knowledge, and treatment there, or in the worst case, at Bauhaus, but there's never anyone to ask who knows anything, and sometimes they have their own dimensions that no one else has. Comparing the flyers I get in my mailbox, Byggmax here in town isn't any cheaper except when they have a campaign, but all the others have campaigns too.
Are you planning to pick up or have it delivered?
Have you checked this option and what it costs, etc.
That craftsmen do not shop at byggmax is precisely as already written, they have, due to their large volumes, better prices with their "own" construction supplier. As a private customer, you usually get at least the same price as byggmax if you ask for a quote on a bit more material, i.e., more than 4 planks.
If you've asked for a quote, but they haven't matched the BM price, you can contact them and say "as far as you've heard, you usually reach byggmax prices 'with you' when buying a bit more, but this quote doesn't match the reputation. Is it possible to do a bit more?"
Based on a quote for all the material for a small shed (minus: exterior paneling, door, window, all interior casing except plasterboards), I've managed to get slightly below BM prices at my local XL-building supplier. They have the margins, just press them a bit.
As for BM quality, I have nothing to complain about or reason to distrust them. Everything is legitimate brands. Lumber from Moelven, LECA from Finnja, roofing felt from Trebolit, plaster from LaFarge, etc., etc. I have no problem buying from BM and do so occasionally. However, as I often have slightly better prices at the closer building material dealer, most comes from there, of course.
BM is, however, hard to beat on some simple tool items. Their putty knives, trowels, paint/mortar mixers, roller kits, snap-off knives, 5-meter tape measures, etc. Unbeatable.
Have you checked this option and what it costs, etc.
That craftsmen do not shop at byggmax is precisely as already written, they have, due to their large volumes, better prices with their "own" construction supplier. As a private customer, you usually get at least the same price as byggmax if you ask for a quote on a bit more material, i.e., more than 4 planks.
If you've asked for a quote, but they haven't matched the BM price, you can contact them and say "as far as you've heard, you usually reach byggmax prices 'with you' when buying a bit more, but this quote doesn't match the reputation. Is it possible to do a bit more?"
Based on a quote for all the material for a small shed (minus: exterior paneling, door, window, all interior casing except plasterboards), I've managed to get slightly below BM prices at my local XL-building supplier. They have the margins, just press them a bit.
As for BM quality, I have nothing to complain about or reason to distrust them. Everything is legitimate brands. Lumber from Moelven, LECA from Finnja, roofing felt from Trebolit, plaster from LaFarge, etc., etc. I have no problem buying from BM and do so occasionally. However, as I often have slightly better prices at the closer building material dealer, most comes from there, of course.
BM is, however, hard to beat on some simple tool items. Their putty knives, trowels, paint/mortar mixers, roller kits, snap-off knives, 5-meter tape measures, etc. Unbeatable.
The reason why craftsmen also do not shop at Byggmax is that they lack good administration for invoicing. And when you get better prices at Beijer along with a wide range of everything needed in construction, it leads to choosing Beijer over Byggmax.
If you’re feeling a bit daring and need glulam beams right now, you should grab Bauhaus' latest Drive-in flyer (available in stores) and take it to Byggmax to demand their lowest price guarantee. Bauhaus' glulam beams cost about 100 SEK less per beam, so you can push for an additional 10% reduction at Byggmax and get your beams for about 150 SEK cheaper than Byggmax's list price.injonil said:
Do the opposite with the insulation...since Bauhaus has the same brand as Byggmax but charges 1 SEK more per square meter.
Then you should also factor in the delivery cost! Byggmax charges a lot for their delivery. If you get free shipping from Beijer’s or XL, it can compensate for a price difference of about 2000 SEK.
I'm a Smålänning if anyone is wondering;-)
Oh really? They repeatedly send me flyers with a number of products. I've interpreted that as campaign products but maybe it's their entire range? At least there are prices on studs, decking, and panel etc., and those prices aren't significantly lower than what I buy.injonil said: