Buying Building Materials? Don't Make These 7 Rookie Mistakes.

TOP 7 Mistakes People Make When Buying Building Materials (And How to Avoid Them)

⸻

✍  When planning a project, many people focus on the tools or labour — but forget the biggest money pit: buying the wrong materials. Here’s how to avoid rookie mistakes and save your budget (and nerves).

⸻

🚫 1. Buying Cheap Screws

Cheap screws snap, strip, or rust fast. Always buy trade-quality fixings — it’s not worth the £1 savings if you redo the job twice.

⸻

🧯 2. Ignoring Fire Ratings

Using the wrong plasterboard in kitchens or flats? Big mistake. Always check for fire-rated or moisture-resistant boards when needed (especially for ceilings or bathrooms).

⸻

🎯 3. Guessing Quantities

          Overordering costs money, underordering costs time.
Tip: Bring your dimensions — we can help calculate exactly what you need.

⸻

🧪 4. Mixing Incompatible Products

Using random adhesives with waterproofing kits or taping standard boards with vapour membranes? Disaster. Materials must work together, not against each other.

⸻

 🎯 5. Wrong Wood for the Job

       Interior MDF outside? Not a good idea.
 Tip: Use pressure-treated timber or cedar for external jobs. MDF or spruce ply is great indoors.

⸻

🗓 6. Buying Too Early (or Too Late)

Storing materials too long? They can bend, absorb moisture, or expire (especially adhesives, plaster, or expanding foam).

⸻

🧑‍🔧 7. Not Asking for Advice

That’s what we’re here for! Even pros double-check. A quick question can save you hours of headache.

⸻

🛒 Need help choosing materials?

Pop in to Flair Woodwork or call us — we’ll make sure you get the right stuff the first time 😉