Here are practical tips for buying environmentally and hygienically friendly building materials.

Having started a redecoration of a home, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the practical and decorative properties of building materials, but also to their safety (environmental friendliness).

Inexpensive finishing materials that emit toxic substances are not recommended for use in residential areas.

They can cause headaches, nausea, various types of allergic reactions, as well as a significant deterioration in general health.

What building materials are environmentally friendly?

Safety criteria are primarily met by natural materials - stone and, of course, wood.

In addition, they contribute to the creation of a favorable microclimate, as they have the ability to maintain optimal humidity and temperature.

However, along with the advantages, natural materials also have disadvantages.

For example, wood has low fire resistance, and stone is characterized by high weight, which makes it an unsuitable material for the construction of multi-storey buildings.

Often the best choice is artificial materials based on natural ones, such as:, glass,.

If we talk about unsafe building materials that emit toxic substances during operation, then the black list is headed by inexpensive paints, as well as low-quality varnishes and mastics, the composition of which is distinguished by the presence of copper, lead, narcotic compounds - cresol, toluene and xylene.

No less dangerous to health are:

1. thermal insulation boards based on polyurethane;
2. foams containing styrene and provoking the development of myocardial infarction;
3. extruded polystyrene, expanded polystyrene - in order to reduce their flammability, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) is used, which the European Chemicals Agency has included in the list of the most toxic chemicals.

Potentially harmful to health can be popular decorative coatings based on PVC (polyvinyl chloride): vinyl wallpaper, decorative film and linoleum.

What to look for when buying building material?

You will find a lot of articles about different materials on our website - use the menu to find the information you need.

This knowledge will allow you to find a common language with the seller, as well as to purchase the most suitable products.

Directly in the store, you need to consider the following:

1. Products must have a sanitary and epidemiological conclusion

To make sure the product is safe, ask the seller to show the health certificate. This document confirms that the material has passed special testing and does not threaten human health.

Pay special attention to products containing chemical additives or waste from various industries, such as textile or chemical industries.

This group includes fiberboard, chipboard and various polymer products.

2. The material should not have a pronounced specific odor

If the product has a persistent "chemical" smell, it is better to refuse to buy it.

First, there is a high probability that it will release toxic substances.

Secondly, the unpleasant smell will negatively affect the comfort of the home.

Wallpaper

Paper, textile and vegetable wallpapers (made from bamboo, reed, jute fibers) are highly environmentally friendly - natural components predominate in their composition, which are safe and have good breathability.

Wallpapers from Eco Tapeter and AS Creation have excellent properties.

Vinyl wallpapers are created on the basis of PVC, so they are recommended only for the kitchen or hallway.

insulation

Stone wool - has optimal practical characteristics and good environmental friendliness, therefore it is recommended for use in residential premises.

Solid products are produced by the international concern ROCKWOOL.

Glass wool - differs in fragility therefore its use is inexpedient.

Expanded clay is environmentally friendly, but due to low efficiency and complex installation it is not used for interior work.

Styrofoam, expanded polystyrene are durable materials that have a low cost, however, due to low air permeability, they contribute to the formation of condensate on the walls.

When burned, harmful substances are released.

Floor coverings

Parquet is an environmentally friendly, durable coating, but it is very important to choose a safe varnish. It can be laid in any room, including the nursery.

Cork- durable, hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly.

It can be used to finish the floor in children's and bedrooms. Meister products are popular.

Carpet is an environmentally friendly and safe flooring. However, if someone in the family suffers from allergic diseases, it should be used with caution: mites can settle in the fibers of the carpet.

Ceramic tile- reliable, environmentally friendly coating, however, it is used only in the kitchen or in the bathroom.

Harmful compounds can be emitted by laminate and, to a greater extent, linoleum, therefore, it is advisable to use these floor coverings only in a bathroom or hallway.

Not a word about design! We're going to the construction site.

How to choose lumber, doors, skirting boards and wallpaper at a construction base so that you don’t have to return the goods. Whom to entrust the selection of building materials. Advise builder-practitioner.

Have you been planning to renovate or remodel your home for a long time? They got together even longer, met with private builders and company representatives, made estimates, assessed their capabilities, and finally decided ... Repair, and in particular the finishing and construction of a country house, is a serious matter, and requires at least a superficial understanding of that not only specialists are needed who are able to embody design ideas, but also materials from which, in fact, everything will be done. Today, since autumn is in the yard, many goods are sold at a discount, and we will talk about their purchase. And the builder-practitioner Igor Tikhonov will help us, with whom we will go to study the assortment of construction bases and construction goods stores.

To begin with, one of the easiest ways to extract quality materials is to rely on a foreman or other specialist from among those who will carry out the work. But they are not always ready to take on our worries. Perhaps the best thing is to become a supplier at a construction site yourself. With a competent approach to this exciting business, you will not spend a lot of time, and the work will be completely under control. By contacting the workers or the foreman, you will get to the heart of the process and protect yourself from most abuses. And this happens quite often when money is given out, as they say, “on parole”. We are ready to assure you that any foreman or supplier, upon request, will bring you any number of "papers" that justify the costs. But all checks, waybills and payment receipts must be collected and stored. So that it does not happen that you paid twice for the same product. For example, in a situation where a not too conscientious foreman suddenly “remembered” that he had put his lining on the finish, and offers you to pay for it. Therefore, even if you have neither the time nor the desire to work on your own, you still have to control the work of the invited team.

Let's start with employee relations. If you still decide to entrust the purchase of materials to specialists, give out money in small portions, check the compliance of what you brought with the ordered (at least in quantity) and demand a report at least once a week. Such scrupulousness usually discourages the desire to “let something go to the left”. And in no case should you lord it over: give out exactly as much as they ask for the next purchase, and be sure to discuss what costs where, what the quality is, where they are going to buy what and why exactly there and not elsewhere. This, of course, will not insure yourself against abuse, but at least reduce costs.

What will you need to delve into?

Now let's move on to practice. There is nothing wrong with the fact that you, not having the slightest idea about modern building materials and the technological process, decided to become a supplier at your construction site. Since you have managed to earn money to repair or build a house, then you will figure it out.

So, you already have an estimate in your hands. For example, you need concrete mortar and reinforcement for the foundation. We start conversations with builders, where and, most importantly, how to buy it, that is, how to take advantage of the discounts that any construction organization, a team of decent workers or an intelligent foreman have.

And now, attention, the most important thing: never be lazy to compare prices at construction bases and in different stores. Sometimes builders earn more on your ignorance than on their own work.

When it comes to building a wooden house and you are unable to assess the quality of timber, lining, boards, use the services of a person who will create your home out of all this and take him to the store with you. Be sure that he will choose the best - after all, he will work with this material, and it is always more pleasant to work with high-quality material and it turns out faster. And then no one will tell you the catchphrase: “Well, you, the owner, brought a goofy crap, you need to add for the work ...”

So, consulting with builders, comparing prices of sellers, you start to “enter the topic”, and the result is, perhaps, ideal: the work is going on, and everyone is happy. You have not spent extra money, builders - extra time; you have complete understanding. And with such good relations, you will get the best quality of work, reduce the time, and most importantly, control will be unobtrusive.

From foundation to roof

Now let's move from poetry to practice again. In what cases will we ask for help in the selection of materials, and in which not? There are positions that you can really figure out on your own, but there are also those that you can’t do without professionals. And I would not recommend installing stoves and fireplaces, heating equipment on your own, with a number of reservations - electrics. But sometimes simple solutions help. For example, if it is necessary to install complex engineering equipment, it makes sense to hold a hidden tender among different companies in order to choose the best options and prices. Departure of a specialist is usually paid, but the money spent is likely to pay off.

When comparing prices, do not forget to ask what the cost of delivery with unloading is. Sometimes it happens that it crosses out the benefits of discounts.

Let's start from the bottom and simplified schemes. Suppose a house consists of foundation walls and a roof. For example, the foundation will require sand and gravel, concrete mortar and reinforcement, which in the estimate proposed to you are indicated by a certain brand and nomenclature. If none of the supplier organizations is currently announcing good discounts, we sit down on the phone, compare prices (and certainly including delivery), find out about discount programs ... Then the walls are aerated concrete blocks, brick, reinforcing mesh, cement, sand … The technology is basically the same. There is one exception: if we are talking about “live” material (beam, log, lining), you can’t do without a qualified assistant. An important nuance: the declared quality may differ greatly from the quality of the shipped goods. Therefore, the supply of sawn timber must be controlled both at the exit from the construction site (selection and sorting) and at the entrance (recalculate, compare with the selection list, identify damage during loading and unloading).

If you are not a carpenter or cabinetmaker, then entrust the selection of lumber to a specialist who will work with them. You save money and he saves time.

As for roofing materials, it is advisable to visit any specialized company that supplies the necessary components (from roofing membranes to drainage systems).

And better than one - choose according to the ratio "price - quality of service."

From pipe to putty

Now for the interior work. It all starts with communications. Plumbing purchases should be entrusted to a specialist, but money can only be given to him after discussing the network project, installation scheme, place of purchase, and discounts provided. It is necessary to discuss each step, even if you do not understand anything about it. Ask, for example, why these items are so expensive, can you trust the quality, are there any warranties...

Purchases of electrical equipment can be taken over. Naturally, you should first agree with the builders on the quantity and range of products. Please note that electrical wiring is different: according to the cross section and material of the wires (copper, aluminum), operating conditions (for interior or exterior use). And problems are possible if, having decided to save money, you purchase a wire that does not correspond to the declared loads.

Having finished with communications, we proceed to the interior decoration. First of all, plasters, putties and drywall. Here you should contact specialized companies - there is a good turnover of all bulk building materials, as a rule, there are no expired ones, and the suitability of the mixture greatly affects the quality of work. It is almost impossible to estimate the total required amount of plaster and putty, so we make the purchase in several visits. Let's start small. We estimated the minimum layer thickness, total area and material consumption (how many square meters can be processed with a mixture from one bag) - and we make a purchase. Unfortunately, there is nothing to optimize here: you can’t save on delivery, you still have to buy more, and if there are surpluses, you can’t return them to the store, and the material is not eternal - after six months it loses its properties.

It is advisable to purchase parquet, window systems and roofing materials through highly specialized dealers and suppliers - they have comprehensive information about the product and know what goes with what.

We also need materials for partitions. We will not analyze which is better: aerated concrete, tongue-and-groove slab or drywall. All this can be safely ordered in the right quantity based on the total area. True, drywall requires a slightly different approach. The number of sheets is calculated not so much by area as by the perimeter (a standard sheet is 1.2 m wide and 2.5 to 3 m high). Similarly, the volume of material for the frame is determined. On the issue of quality: undoubtedly, imported manufacturers are preferable. But if it is planned to build partitions from two or three layers of drywall, then it makes sense to buy cheaper material for the first layers, and put a good one on the outside.

Having built ceilings and partitions, having plastered and puttied everything that is possible, we choose paint and varnish coatings. It is extremely difficult - even professionals sometimes doubt. The choice is colossal, the nomenclature changes all the time, and the quality of products, it would seem, from manufacturers that have been proven over the years, sometimes falls. So again we turn to the methodology outlined above - we talk for a long time about all the problems of choosing coatings with a specialist who will paint, draw conclusions, and only after that we go to the store and begin to "torment" consultants. In general terms, then do not buy the cheapest paint (albeit a famous manufacturer), but also do not take the most expensive one (not every master knows how to work with it).

The walls of the house: a look from the inside

The next position is wallpaper. Not a word about design. Today we are talking only about quality, and here is what should be noted. The paintable wallpapers that are popular today (they are often chosen when they have not yet decided what color to paint the walls in) are approximately the same in quality, only the abrasion resistance is different and the ability to absorb expensive paint. Everything is simple here: the smaller the pattern and the calmer the relief, the more resistant this coating is and will eat less paint. Simple paper wallpaper is a very budget option, and we will not consider it. As soon as you have enough money to build walls, you should not save on wallpaper. Hit of all times and peoples - vinyl wallpaper. But how different they are ... The price is not the last argument, but not the main one. Take your time with the purchase, bring a person to the store who will glue them, listen to what he has to say, draw conclusions. Perhaps the next shelf is about the same, but of higher quality and at a very reasonable price.

Now the doors. Here the range of offers is extremely wide, the choice is yours, but preference should be given to those models that you not only like, but with wooden filling and door frames made not from cardboard, but from normal wood. A small nuance: do not take simple paneled doors if you are building a cottage - several freeze-thaw cycles are enough for them to dry out. We turn to the choice of accessories. Loops need to choose only good ones, and handles and mechanisms - even more so. By the way, pay attention to the Spanish and Taiwanese manufacturers - their products are of quite decent quality.

It is also worth focusing on delivery, or rather, on the acceptance of doors. Be sure to open the package and check for scratches and chips. Take a two-meter level, attach and check if the canvases are not bent (this, unfortunately, occurs), and it can be problematic to replace the goods after acceptance. In general, there is nothing to say about platbands and boxes: check only the quantity, quality and color matching of the doors (there are such “jambs” as well).

Do not be too lazy to check everything - it can save a lot of time.

With regard to floors (laminate, linoleum, parquet board, block parquet), as well as windows (only double-glazed windows in wooden or plastic frames), you will be well informed on these issues in specialized companies and stores.

Skirting boards. If you chose plastic, then take it with cable channels: it’s easier to fix, and you can always forward the cable forgotten during wiring. The laminated MDF skirting board is also not bad - it can be matched to the color of the floor or trim and, importantly, purchased at a reasonable price. And if you do not have parquet flooring, but a pine tongue and groove floor, this is the best solution. Skirting boards made of valuable species - oak, beech, ash - require sorting and careful inspection. But if you are not a parquet or cabinet maker, then do not even try to evaluate them. This is exactly the case when only professionals should be engaged in procurement.

Igor TIKHONOV
Construction on zagorod.spb.ru

Ways to increase sales

Trade in building materials is a business on the verge of a foul. It does not have huge margins, and the main profit comes from large volumes of sales. Construction is down. New materials appear and the assortment grows. In order to be successful in this business, you need to work finely with the assortment, different groups of buyers and customer retention conditions.

How to increase sales of building materials in these conditions, and other features of increasing the profitability of this business area. This will be discussed in the article.

Who is the client?

All buyers of building materials can be divided into three groups.

1. Retail clients. They bring the maximum profit from each unit of goods, because for retail buyers the price is less important, and they are ready to pay 10-15% more for service, availability, transport accessibility, quality of service. But their maintenance requires large expenditures for goods in stock, retail outlets, service personnel

2. Wholesale clients - construction organizations. This is the most attractive group of buyers, because they regularly need large volumes of goods. In addition to price, they are guided by the presented assortment, speed and uninterrupted supply.

3. Wholesale clients - trading enterprises (intermediaries) who resell the goods purchased from you. This is the group with the lowest marginality - intermediaries increase your turnover, but give the minimum earnings, because in order to make a profit they must purchase goods at the lowest possible price. The essence of their business is to buy cheaper to sell more expensive, they can overpay only for an exclusive.

To increase sales of building materials, you need to clearly understand which customers you are targeting - wholesale, retail, or both.

Approach the choice not from personal preferences, but taking into account the situation and statistics for the region and other objective factors.

The number of potential customers in the category, the current business situation, the needs of the regional market, the amount of funds you are willing to invest in development, and others.

Example

If you trade in a region that is developing well and in which there are many developers, it makes sense to focus on them. If you already have an extensive network of retail stores located in areas with good traffic, it is wise to continue developing the retail direction.

10 effective ways to increase sales

You can increase sales in both traditional and non-traditional ways. We will tell you how to increase sales of building materials for the population and the B2B sector. Below are the 10 most effective ways that allow us to increase sales in such companies by at least 20%.

1. Wholesale for the sake of retail. If before that you were engaged exclusively in retail, you can open an additional wholesale direction, even if it does not bring profit. What for? To have a constant high volume of sales, due to which you can receive discounts from manufacturing plants and a low entry price.

With a reduced purchase price, you can:

• set a higher margin on retail and earn even more on each unit sold;
• reduce the retail margin by making prices as low as possible, and increase profits by increasing turnover.

2. Expansion of the range. Expansion of the range requires additional investments, and therefore must be clearly justified. Going to this step "just in case" or "to be cooler than others" is not worth it. It makes sense to expand the product line if it will increase profits or customer flow.

The expansion of the assortment allows you to increase profits by attracting new customers and selling goods by a "locomotive".

Attraction of new clients. The expansion of the assortment contributes to the emergence of new customers in two cases.

Firstly, when you know those to whom you can offer novelties. Hoping for ghost buyers who will appear with the renewal of the range is naive. Expansion is justified when there is confidence that the new product will be bought.

Secondly, when you know about potential customers who want to buy everything in one place. For example, if you have new roofing material, they will buy bolts, screws, and roofing material from you. On this material, you can go to zero, but you can earn money by selling screws, fasteners, gutters.

Selling goods by "locomotive", i.e. when a client comes to you for the sake of a new product, and leaves after buying a new product and something from the main assortment. In this case, as in the previous version, the new product may not be profitable - the profit will come from the “locomotive product”. Thus, you will not earn anything on the new product, but you will earn on everything that he buys additionally.

Please note that in this case, the work of the sales manager plays an important role. It is he who must offer the client not only a new product, but also a “locomotive product”. He must actively sell and know everything about cross-selling. In reality, it often happens that the owner creates such a system, but the manager does not fulfill the requirements and the company works to zero.

3. Sales through the Internet site. Internet sales are an effective method for increasing sales during a crisis or during periods of seasonal recession, for example, in winter. Sell ​​building materials online. If you don't have your own website, it's time to create one. If there is a website, it is important to promote it competently, achieving relevant (targeted) visitors. The site allows not only to expand the circle of customers, but also save on expenses (on office rent and salaries of managers, because an employee working at home can take orders from the site).

• Visualization. To increase sales, you should not just advertise the product in words, but clearly show customers how it can be applied. For example, if you sell roofing tiles, include a photo of a roof covered in roofing tiles in your magazine ad. Or set up display stands with properly laid tile samples at the point of sale.
• Search for information. Don't know how to hook customers? Think of an informational occasion. For example, call regular customers about discounts, about the delivery of goods that they took last time to the warehouse, or about the imminent release of a new product.

5. Performing the functions of a picker. Large customers are willing to overpay for the opportunity to purchase goods in one place. You can not only sell your product, but also find / bring other products for customers. Everyone will benefit: you will sell your product and, possibly, make money on mediation; the client will receive the necessary building materials in one machine.

6. Work schedule. You can achieve an increase in sales in the building materials store by adjusting the work schedule.

• main clientele. Ideally, you should keep track of the days and times on which the main flow of customers goes and be sure to take orders during this period. For example, if the lion's share of orders goes on Saturday and Sunday, then it is better to do the day off on Monday, and leave Saturday and Sunday working.
• Counterweight to competitors. If your competitors work until 18.00, work until 20.00. If they rest on Saturdays and Sundays, try to work on those days. This will increase the chances that customers will come to you.

7. Possibility of payment by installments. How to increase wholesale sales of building materials? If the financial situation allows, sell the goods in installments. Most importantly, keep track of the size and condition of receivables.

8. Cold calling. You can increase the number of sales through cold calls. They will not give quick results, but if you build a dialogue correctly, in 2-3 months the number of customers will begin to grow.

9. Active work with clients on the incoming flow. It’s easier to keep a client than to call him “cold” later. It is important that managers establish contact with all clients who come on their own in order to be able to subsequently make “warm” calls.

• If you are engaged only in wholesale trade, and the client dropped in / called to clarify the availability of a certain material, features or cost of the goods, you should draw him into the dialogue, clarifying the needs if possible, and be sure to take contact information.
• If you are engaged in both wholesale and retail, it is important to competently contact customers who come to retail outlets. Keep in mind that among them there may be wholesalers and persons responsible for large purchases.

10. Customer service standards. The increase in sales is positively affected by the introduction of uniform service standards throughout the entire distribution network. It is important to control the work of managers and train them to communicate competently with customers.

Situations when the manager was not in the mood and sent the client or was too lazy to fully answer his question should be reduced to zero.

To do this, all telephone conversations must be recorded, and surveillance cameras must be installed in the trading floors. Ideally, develop a ready-made algorithm for talking with a client for each manager and draw up answers to any objections.

To summarize all of the above, in order to increase sales of building materials in your company, you must perform the following steps:

• Analysis of customer needs
• Maximum customer satisfaction
• Improving the work of your own sales department
• Attraction of new clients
• Motivation to retain existing

We choose building materials at the very beginning of a long process of construction or overhaul. But this is the main stage on which the quality and durability of the final result depends.

What to look for in the store

• Durability is an indicator of performance over the maximum period of operation. In this situation, the choice of building materials puts you before a choice: buy a less durable one and carry out repairs more often, or choose more durable ones that will last longer without repair. Consider construction crew rates and associated costs and calculate whether savings on durability are worth it. Each material has its own durability standards, they are determined after passing a series of tests for destruction, deformation, wear resistance, and interaction with the environment. The results are recorded on a certificate with a life limit—this could be 20, 50, 100 years, etc.
• Every inhabitant of our latitudes must understand how to choose high-quality building materials for frost resistance. This parameter indicates the number of freeze and thaw cycles that the material can withstand. F300 - frost resistance of clinker bricks (more than 100 years of service), F100 - an indicator of good facing bricks (50 years of operation), F25 - frost resistance of inexpensive bricks, which will begin to collapse in 30 years and lose their aesthetic appeal.
• Ask the seller if the building material is repairable. If yes, then after a certain period of time it can be restored to its original state. Calculate in advance whether it is profitable to spend efforts and finances on repairs or whether it is better to purchase a new product after the expiration date.
• In our country, when choosing high-quality building materials, it is necessary to take into account climatic features, such as the amount of precipitation by season. Stone, brick and special metal alloys have higher moisture resistance than wood. However, modern industry offers surface coating options for substances with poor moisture resistance.
• Be sure to ask the seller for a certificate of conformity and a product warranty. We often choose building materials that are not cheap, so it’s worth making sure that your purchases are original and meet all quality requirements.

The main advice that can be given: contact proven and experienced performers. How to find them? Option one - through friends, option two - order services from the oldest repair and construction company in your city with an excellent reputation. A good master will always tell you how to choose high-quality building materials with which it will be easy for him to work. And will present you with an excellent result of work with strict adherence to deadlines and technologies.

* Calculations use average data for Russia

1 220 000 ₽

Starting investments

473 000 ₽

133 000 ₽

Net profit

18 months

Payback period

Opening a building materials store means starting a profitable business that is in demand at any time. By investing about 1 million rubles, you can earn 150 thousand rubles a month.

“Repairs cannot be completed, they can only be suspended” - worldly wisdom indicates one of the reasons why it is worth opening a hardware store. There will always be a demand for building materials: while some are building, others are repairing and vice versa. The development of the construction market in Russia contributes to the fact that they build and repair a lot. Even if the housing does not need to be repaired, nails, a hammer, a screwdriver and so on will come in handy in everyday life. Therefore, opening a hardware store from scratch is a great idea for a profitable business. To figure out how to start a business and how much it will cost, we offer a detailed guide that will answer the basic questions of a novice entrepreneur.

1. Market overview

The dynamic development of the construction industry and the real estate market in Russia contributed to the growth in demand for building materials. This was accompanied by the emergence of new retail outlets - from small pavilions to construction hypermarkets. The building materials market has grown by 20% annually.

Today, there are more than a thousand universal and specialized chains of hardware stores on the market, while the top 10 largest retailers account for almost 25% of the market. The crisis of 2014-2015 consolidated the success of large hardware stores. The growth of competition in the market and the regional leadership of large market players led to the fact that other construction stores faced problems: a decrease in sales and, as a result, a deterioration in their financial condition.

The difficulty of competing with construction hypermarkets lies in their aggressive pricing policy and a wide range of products covering all stages of construction and repair. When planning a purchase, a potential client tends to choose a large shopping center. There are many reasons. This is the breadth of the range, lower prices, the ability to buy everything you need in one outlet, service (consultations, delivery services, etc.).

Earn up to
200 000 rub. a month, having fun!

2019 trend. Intelligent entertainment business. Minimum investment. No additional deductions or payments. Turnkey training.

However, there are situations in which the buyer will rather go to a small hardware store. This is the purchase of a small amount of building materials for cosmetic repairs, the addition of materials that ended during the repair, minor household issues that require urgent solutions. In this regard, since 2015 among building stores there has been a tendency to change the structure of the assortment with the replacement of building materials with household goods.

The defining moment in this area of ​​trade is the advantageous location of the store. While large retail outlets occupying vast areas are forced to be located on the outskirts of the city, small hardware stores can open in a residential building, shopping center or local market. Therefore, despite the high level of competition in the building materials market, this direction can become a profitable business. The main thing is to correctly choose a place and plan all stages of opening a retail outlet.

Thus, a hardware store as a business has its advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage is the high demand for the product, which guarantees a stable income. According to statistics, the average family in Russia makes repairs every 5-7 years. This does not include purchases to maintain repairs. The profitability of a hardware store can be 30-32%, depending on the margin on goods.

Difficulties in the business of selling building materials:

Fierce competition in the industry. The market will have to compete not only with small retail outlets, but also with construction hypermarkets, which can offer the consumer a wide range and lower prices;

Price policy. It is necessary to set the optimal price for goods, since inflated prices will scare away potential customers, and too low prices will not allow the business to recoup. The best option is to analyze the pricing policy of competitors and reduce prices by 2%;

The need to provide a wide range of products to interest the consumer. Firstly, there is an important task to correctly form the assortment, taking into account the preferences of the target audience. Secondly, there is a need to establish contacts with a large number of suppliers and choose the most suitable ones;

Seasonality of sales. Statistics show that the peak of retail sales is recorded in the spring and autumn months, summer sales are 70-80%, and winter - 50-60% of the maximum. Moreover, seasonality is also noted for individual commodity items, which is why a wide assortment of a hardware store is important.

2. Store format and assortment

As mentioned above, it is more rational for a novice entrepreneur to open a store in the “neighborhood” format. Its scale can also be different: from a small pavilion with building materials to a supermarket. It all depends on the chosen place for trading and financial capabilities. We will look at how to open a hardware store, using the example of a small supermarket offering customers more than 100 items of goods.

For a store of this sales format, one should rely on consumables used in repair work (fasteners, paints and varnishes, adhesives, construction tools). Based on the format of the store, its assortment is determined, which should include the following categories of goods:

paint and varnish products (paints for interior and exterior works, primers, impregnations, varnishes and coatings for various materials, as well as rollers, brushes);

building mixtures, cement, primer, putty, alabaster, etc.;

mounting foam, sealant, liquid nails, mounting glue;

hardware of various modifications and sizes, nails, screws,

wallpaper. This group of goods should be represented by a wide range to satisfy the tastes and requirements of different consumers. Related products include adhesives, brushes, etc.;

floor coverings (laminate, linoleum, carpet, parquet and related products in the form of fasteners, underlays, skirting boards, etc.);

construction tools (rollers, spatulas, hammers, nail pullers, drills, screwdrivers, etc.).

Ready-made ideas for your business

Before forming the assortment, a thorough analysis of the market, suppliers and assortment of competing stores should be carried out. This will allow you to determine consumer demand and select products in such a way as to create a unique offer in the market. Important! You will be of the greatest interest to the buyer in two cases: if you can offer a unique product that is not on the market, or the same one, but at a more attractive price. The fact of proximity to the house is also significant, however, since building materials do not belong to spontaneous purchases, therefore, you should not rely only on this.

The main recommendations for the formation of the assortment of a hardware store:

it is desirable that each group of goods be represented by several manufacturers in different price categories. At the same time, goods of the middle price segment should be at least 60% of the entire range;

choose trusted, high-quality suppliers, since the reputation of the store depends on this;

when choosing suppliers, also pay attention to whether they are presented in other stores. Unique offers on the market will attract buyers;

if a product is not in demand, its stocks should be reduced, but not completely excluded from the assortment.

It is also proposed that the store operate in a self-service format. As practice shows, such a system contributes to the growth of sales. For this format, the goods should be divided into categories for convenience. A consultant is provided for each department (or related departments).

Advantages of a hardware store operating in the mini-market format:

convenient location for clients. Construction stores located within walking distance, in certain cases, are the most attractive option than hypermarkets remote from the city;

range variability. The area and format of the store allow us to offer a wider range of products than in construction pavilions. Not only products of popular manufacturers, but also less common brands can be presented here. Construction hypermarkets usually work with certain brands and are not inclined to change suppliers. Smaller stores are more flexible and can work with a wide range of suppliers.

customer loyalty system. At the moment, not many hardware stores pay attention to customer acquisition policies. You can correct this mistake and provide, for example, a system of discounts for regular customers.

3. Choice of location and premises

As with any retail establishment, the location of a hardware store is important. Favorable location determines 70% of the success of the outlet. The assessment of the location of the store takes into account such parameters as the characteristics of the area, the ease of parking, the intensity of the pedestrian flow, visibility and noteworthiness, and proximity to similar enterprises. A good option would be the area of ​​new buildings, as well as sleeping areas, remote from large hardware stores.

Ready-made ideas for your business

When choosing a premises for a store, the question arises: to rent a retail space or to acquire it as a property? Entrepreneurs recommend not to hurry with the purchase of retail space and work in the rented premises for the first two years. In case you make a mistake with the choice of a retail outlet or things don’t work out, it will be much easier to just free up the rented area.

Requirements for the premises of a hardware store:

The required store area is at least 100 sq. m. Otherwise, there is a risk that the store will be unprofitable.

The trading floor should be square or rectangular in shape, without unnecessary bends - this will make it easier to place showcases and make the most efficient use of the available space.

Ceiling height must be at least 2.7 m.

There should be two entrances from the trading floor - for visitors and for loading goods. With a sales area of ​​100-150 sq. m. for a warehouse will require 50-70 sq.m.

The presence of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing, sewerage, ventilation and electricity in the room.

Special investments in the repair of premises for a hardware store will not be required. It is enough that the room meets sanitary requirements, is dry, clean and well lit. Rent of commercial premises with a total area of ​​150 sq.m. on average, it costs about 100,000 rubles a month. When dividing the leased area into premises for various purposes, 100 sq.m. on the trading floor, 40 sq.m. for a warehouse and 10 sq.m. for technical rooms.

4. Equipment of the sales area

The retail space should be well lit. The interior for a hardware store is quite simple and does not require large investments. However, when planning the budget for the project, you should include the cost of repairs. One way or another, some minimal alteration of the rented premises will be required. For this type of expenses, plan at least 20,000 rubles.

When preparing a trading and storage area, there is no need for expensive finishing materials. The finished room should be bright, clean and dry. Make inexpensive cosmetic repairs and take care of good ventilation. This is all that is required from the premises for successful sales of your enterprise. The technical equipment of a hardware store should contribute to the growth of sales, ensure the productivity and payback of trade and comply with safety regulations. In this regard, the trading floor must be provided with reliable lighting and ventilation equipment.

In addition, you should purchase commercial equipment - racks, showcases, cash counter, cash register. Since the store operates in a self-service format, several racks will be required on which the goods will be placed. For the initial stage, the store is equipped with two cash desks. However, it is necessary to zone the trading space so that, if necessary, one more cash desk can be placed.

Equipment costs

	Name	price, rub.	Quantity, pcs.	Total cost, rub.
	Wall rack
	Wall panel
	Island rack
	Cash counter
	POS system with cash register
	Security and fire alarm
	Baskets and trolleys (including cargo)

5. Search for suppliers and purchase of goods

Suppliers should be sought in person, visiting the city's wholesale depots, or via the Internet. The first method is convenient because in a personal conversation it is easier to agree on partnership conditions; the second is that it is possible to save on transportation costs, cover a wide range of potential partners, find more favorable conditions and conclude agreements with suppliers that are not represented on the local market. It is recommended to use a mixed way of working with suppliers: buy some of the goods immediately, and take some for sale.

Ready-made ideas for your business

Having decided on the suppliers, it is necessary to purchase goods for the store. Practice shows that for an average hardware store, the formation of the initial assortment will require 500-700 thousand rubles. Based on the specifics of demand and the conditions of suppliers, it will be necessary to make additional purchases of goods. The main thing in this matter is to correctly calculate the required volume of goods in order to diversify the assortment, but to avoid oversaturation of product shelves.

6. Recruitment

The main staff in the store are sales assistants. It is on them that the success of trading largely depends. For a store with an area of ​​100 sq.m. four sales assistants, three cashiers and one manager will be enough. Requirements for sales consultants: knowledge of construction products, the ability to unobtrusively offer their help and win over the client, organization, responsibility, courtesy.

Since the hardware store is open seven days a week and is open for 12 hours: from 9:00 to 21:00, a shift schedule for staff should be provided. It is recommended that two sales assistants and a cashier work on each shift. Sales consultants are interchangeable personnel and can provide assistance to each other if necessary. The functions of a manager and accountant can be delegated to employees, or assigned to the entrepreneur himself, which will save money in the first months of work.

In the future, it is recommended to introduce a separate position - a procurement manager. His responsibilities will include working with suppliers, forming an assortment of goods, drawing up a logistics chain for the delivery of goods, and developing a pricing strategy. Before starting work, the staff must be trained, having familiarized themselves with the range of products, their characteristics and sales technology.

In this example, the entrepreneur performs the main functions of a manager - goes through all registration procedures, recruits personnel, negotiates with landlords and suppliers, purchases goods, and is engaged in the strategic promotion of the store. The manager organizes the work process, controls the work of sellers, carries out the acceptance and recalculation of goods and draws up the relevant documentation.

The preparatory stage will take about two months, during which registration procedures are envisaged, establishing partnerships with suppliers, finding suitable premises, recruiting staff, purchasing equipment and goods.

7. Advertising and promotion of a building materials store

The target audience of the hardware store is retail buyers, 60% of which are the male population of the city aged 23 to 65 years. Another group of consumers are corporate clients represented by construction and installation teams, with whom contracts are concluded and work is carried out on the billing system.

Advertising of a hardware store can be divided into two types - passive and active. Passive advertising includes signs, banners, pavement signs, etc. Active advertising involves the distribution of leaflets, distribution of business cards, articles in specialized publications, advertising on radio and television. Another effective advertising tool is cooperation with repair and construction companies and teams. They will bring customers to the store and buy building materials, and the seller will give a percentage of the sales of attracted customers.

Since the competition in the segment is quite high, it is necessary to carefully consider the advertising strategy. The most effective forms of advertising for this store format are advertising in elevators, distribution of leaflets, placement of a bright sign. It is important to note that the sign must be located on the facade of the store building and be clearly visible from the road when moving in any direction.

Competent registration of a trading floor is an important element of marketing strategy. It is necessary to provide convenient navigation in the store and place the goods in such a way that each position is visible to the buyer. Marketers have long established that the correct display of goods in stores largely generates demand and allows you to increase sales by 10-15%. Particularly important is the placement of products such as wallpaper, flooring and other finishing materials.

Basic merchandising rules for hardware stores:

classification of the placement of the entire presented range of products; separation of large and small-sized goods;

competent placement of product groups on the trading floor in accordance with the locations of the main customer flows;

bulky goods should be placed around the perimeter of the store to improve the visibility of the trading floor. If the area of ​​the store allows, then the goods are located on the lower shelves under the demonstration sample. If the area of ​​the store is limited, then the issuance of large-sized products is carried out at the warehouse with the assistance of a sales assistant;

goods of small dimensions are placed according to their classification and are presented in several copies, which attracts the attention of the buyer. For the layout of such goods, racks with hooks and fasteners are used. Small, vulnerable goods are located in an area with good visibility;

the main volume of finishing materials requires a special layout on special equipment: a showcase for wallpaper with rollers, demonstration stands. The most convenient grouping of wallpapers is by color;

in the checkout area there is small-piece goods, consumer goods and related products;

broadcast of accompanying information, allowing buyers to navigate the trading floor;

effective placement of consultants on the trading floor.

Thus, the cost of the initial advertising campaign will amount to 72,000 rubles. It will take an average of 3 to 6 months to promote the store and reach the desired sales volumes - during this time, buyers have time to get to know and get used to the new outlet.

8. Business registration

Retail trade in building materials does not require any special permits. To open a hardware store from scratch, you will need to collect a package of documents, which includes a sanitary and epidemiological conclusion from Rospotrebnadzor, permission from the fire inspectorate, and regulatory documents for the store. It will also require contracts for the removal of solid waste, disinfestation and deratization of the premises.

To conduct commercial activities, you can register an LLC or an individual entrepreneur with a simplified taxation system (“income minus expenses” at a rate of 15%). The choice between an individual entrepreneur and an LLC will depend, first of all, on the scope of the future business. If you plan to open one small store, then IP will be enough. If you plan to open a large construction supermarket or a chain of stores, it is better to register an LLC. In this case, you need to select the type of activity according to the OKVED-2 classifier: 47.52 Retail trade in hardware, paints and varnishes and glass in specialized stores.

9. Cost planning

When planning expenses, they should be divided into three groups: initial investments, variable and fixed costs. And now in order.

Initial investment - the amount that is required to open a business. This includes all costs incurred in the early stages of the project, from the cost of finding premises to the purchase of equipment and goods. The initial investment according to our example will amount to 1,220,000 rubles. Please note that working capital has been added to the initial investment, which will be spent on proving the purchase of goods and covering expenses in the first months of work.

Initial Costs

	Amount, rub.
Rent for 1 month
Premises renovation
Set of commercial equipment
Business registration, obtaining permits
Purchase of goods
working capital

Variable costs consist of the cost of acquiring goods, including shipping. Fixed expenses consist of rent, utilities, payroll, advertising expenses, taxes and depreciation.

fixed costs

	Name	Amount per month, rub.
	Rent
	Communal payments
	Depreciation
	payroll with deductions
	Taxes (average)

10. Calculation of revenue and profit

When planning the volume of sales, some seasonality of the construction business should be taken into account - the peak of sales falls on the spring and autumn months, and the fall in sales - in the winter. The planned sales volume is calculated based on the average check amount of 3,000 rubles and the number of customers - 400 people per month. With these parameters, the average revenue will be 1,200,000 rubles per month. You can reach the declared sales volume in the fifth month of the store's operation, taking into account the seasonality of the business.

How much can a hardware store earn

We consider, based on the volume of revenue, a markup on building materials of 65% and all expenses indicated in the tables above.

Gross profit (revenue-cost): 1,200,000 -727,000 = 473,000 (rubles)

Profit before tax: 473,000 - 269,000 = 204,000 (rubles)

Net profit: 204,000 - (473,000 * 0.15) = 133,050 (rubles)

Of course, in the first months of work you should not expect such a profit, however, when you reach the planned sales volume, you can earn about 130 thousand rubles. per month. In this case, it will be possible to recoup the initial investment in 1.5 years after the start. Please note that the above calculations are approximate. In order to start a successful business, you need to develop a business plan for opening a hardware store. This will allow assessing the prospects for the development of such a business in a particular region, taking into account the nuances of a particular project and competently planning each stage of implementation.

11. Risks

When planning a business, it is also worth considering the risks that an entrepreneur may face at different stages of the project. Its specificity determines the following risks of activity:

increase in purchase prices for goods, unscrupulous suppliers. In the first case, there is a risk of increasing costs and, as a result, the selling price, which may negatively affect demand. In the second case, the risk is associated with interruptions in the trading process due to a lack of goods. It is possible to reduce the likelihood of these threats with a competent choice of suppliers and the inclusion in the contract of all necessary conditions that provide for the liability of the supplier in case of their violation;

insufficient level of demand. Firstly, the demand for building materials has a pronounced seasonality; secondly, it is closely interconnected with the economic situation in the country. In this regard, the risk of a low level of demand is one of the most probable and may arise both due to the low solvency of demand, and due to high distribution costs. It is possible to reduce the risk with careful planning of the store's activities and financial results, competent choice of retail space, holding various promotions and discounts, stimulating repeat purchases, flexible pricing;

competitor reaction. Since the market for building materials is quite saturated and the competition is high, the behavior of competitors can have a strong influence. To minimize it, it is necessary to create your own client base, constantly monitor the market, have a customer loyalty program and create competitive advantages;

property risks. This category includes risks associated with damage and theft of goods. The self-service system increases the likelihood of this risk occurring. Minimizing the threat will allow the sales assistant to check the goods that enter the store, control the situation on the trading floor;

Refusal to provide rental premises or increase the cost of rent. Since location is one of the most important parameters for trading, the loss of a place threatens with big losses. To reduce this risk, it is necessary to conclude a long-term lease and carefully choose the landlord;

problems with staffwhich means low qualification, staff turnover, lack of motivation of employees. The easiest way to reduce this risk is at the stage of recruitment, hiring employees who meet all the requirements. It is also worth considering bonus motivation for employees;

decrease in the store's reputation among the target audience due to errors in management or a decrease in the quality of services. It is possible to mitigate the risk with constant monitoring of the quality of goods and services, receiving feedback from store customers and taking corrective measures.

SUMMARY

Like any business, a hardware store has its advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage is the high demand for building materials. It is provided not only by those consumers who make repairs in new buildings, but also by residents who carry out repeated repairs. This means that one consumer repeatedly visits the hardware store, which ensures sales. Therefore, there are a lot of potential buyers at the hardware store.

The negative point is the high competition in the market. It is especially difficult for small hardware stores to survive in the fight against chain hypermarkets. However, even under such conditions, you can find your niche. A well-chosen assortment, active advertising, favorable location and loyalty to customers will help in this.

If you manage to win over your consumer, then the store can start profitable work in 3-4 months after opening, and the initial investment will pay off in 1-1.5 years. A building materials store is able to earn about 1.5 million rubles. per year and become a promising business that has room to grow.

4870 people are studying this business today.

For 30 days this business was interested in 204385 times.

Profitability calculator for this business