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Builders' merchant

Alternative titles for this job include

Builders' merchants sell building and DIY products and materials.

Average salary (a year)

£16,000 Starter

to

£30,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

39 to 41 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a builders' merchant

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job through a trade supplier intermediate apprenticeship.

This typically takes 12 months to complete as a mix of learning in the workplace and off-the-job study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You could apply directly to work as a builders' merchant.

You may find it useful to have GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including maths and English. Experience in construction, warehousing or retail could be helpful.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about working as a builders' merchant from Building Materials Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • physical skills like lifting, bending and carrying
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • have forklift truck driver training for some jobs

Some jobs with a builders' merchant may involve driving trucks up to 7.5 tonnes. For these you'll need to have a category C1 driving licence.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

On a typical day you could:

  • give product information to customers
  • load and unload deliveries by hand or with a forklift truck
  • process orders and handle payments
  • move goods to storage areas
  • put orders together and organise deliveries
  • advise customers about which materials to use
  • complete stock control paperwork or update computerised stock lists

Working environment

You could work at a builder's yard or at a store.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could progress to supervisor or manager.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Trade Counter Sales Person

  • Wage: £15,000.00 Annually
  • Location: Watling Street, West Granby, Milton Keynes

Trade Supplier Apprentice

  • Wage: £10,982.40 to £21,673.60 Annually
  • Location: 40 Kingfisher way, Dinnington, Sheffield
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a builders' merchant?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

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