Working Environment

Builders’ merchants usually open early, with staff normally starting by 8am. Large DIY outlets are open seven days a week. Many DIY outlets open for extended hours on weekdays and may open on Sundays. Shift work may be required and part-time work is common.

Work can be indoors, and outdoors in all weathers, especially for merchants dealing solely with the construction trade. Builders' merchants are on their feet for most of the day and the work can involve lifting or carrying heavy materials.

Staff often wear uniforms. Those who move heavy items may also need protective footwear, which is usually provided by the employer.

Builders' Merchant Related Skills

To be a builders’ merchant or DIY store worker, you should:

• have a good general knowledge of building products
• have good communication skills for advising customers
• have good numeracy skills for taking measurements, making calculations and handling cash
• have good written skills
• be punctual, reliable and honest
• be physically fit
• have a friendly and helpful personality
• have a neat and tidy appearance
• be aware of health and safety issues.

Builders' Merchant Career Opportunities

Builders’ merchants and DIY stores are located across the UK. Builders' merchants closely follow trends in the construction industry, which at the moment are good.

The larger DIY stores and builders' merchants, which have increased in number in recent years, are usually situated in out-of-town superstores. There has been a decline in the number of smaller merchants, and those that remain tend to specialise in a particular type of product such as timber or painting and decorating.

Larger employers recruit on a regular basis. Part-time vacancies are usually available with both large and small employers.

Working for one of the larger merchants usually offers more secure job prospects, and many of them provide training, or help with training, to enable staff to progress to supervisory and management positions.