Planning some DIY while you’re stuck in the house? Here's how you can get hold of supplies
With the nation on lockdown, many homeowners are beating cabin fever by tackling long-delayed home improvement projects and weekend DIY jobs.
However, with most hardware stores now shut, if you don’t already have everything you need, it might prove tough to source supplies.
Fortunately, some retailers are still providing contact-free delivery or collection services so you can get your hands on the materials you need.
B&Q
While B&Q stores are closed, the DIY giant is offering click and collect and home delivery on a limited range of items.
The company says the smaller range is designed “to limit unnecessary purchases and ensure our customers and colleagues are protected from needless contact”. They also say they're reviewing and making changes to the items available to meet customers’ needs.
The products currently being sold include hardware, plumbing, electrical, central heating and boiler parts, building supplies, tools, security and light bulbs.
Delivery costs £5 but is free on orders over £50. You can find more information here.
Screwfix
Many Screwfix stores remain open for click and collect, though this is only available for “essential goods”. Where's no definition of what constitutes essential, this will likely cover goods for urgent repairs rather than home improvements.
For example, it doesn’t seem possible to order paint online, while tools and materials for plumbing repairs can still be purchased.
Screwfix is still operating a home delivery service, but warns that this “may be subject to delays and ranges may be limited during the coming weeks”.
Delivery costs £5 for orders under £50, while for orders above £50 it’s free. Click here for more information.
Wickes
Wickes is running home delivery and click and collect services, though due to high demand, it's now operating an online queueing system to place orders for either option.
It says the majority of products are available for home delivery but that next day delivery is unlikely to be available. Wickes is one of the only stores where decorative goods can be ordered for delivery, which is ideal if you're planning a painting project.
Click and collect orders can only be placed between 6am and 3pm Monday to Saturday, and there is a limited range of products available for this service.
Delivery costs £7.95 but is free for orders over £75. More information is available here.
Homebase
Homebase has temporarily suspended its reserve and collect service as all of its stores are now closed.
It is still running a home delivery service, but the range available may be limited. It also warns that it is experiencing “high demand” and that there may be some delays.
If you’re ordering large items they will now only deliver to the first accessible room in your home.
The store is also only offering standard delivery, with next and named day delivery currently suspended. Costs vary depending on the items ordered. You can find more information here.
IKEA
IKEA has closed all of its stores but is still running a home delivery service. However, it is not currently dispatching any items that require a two-person delivery.
It says that demand for deliveries has been higher than usual so warns customers that it is “experiencing longer delivery times than normal”.
Delivery costs from £3.95 depending on the size of the order. Click here for more information.
Wilko
Most Wilko stores remain open for essential purchases but are closing at 5pm from Monday to Saturday to allow for cleaning. Sunday opening hours remain unchanged.
It is no longer offering next day delivery or order and collect but is running a standard home delivery service.
Standard delivery costs £5, while heavy items will cost £12. You can find more information here.
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Featured image: Zivica Kerkez / Shutterstock