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Top soil and Tmber are the main two . Virtually impossible to improvise so thats a project on hold .
The suppliers who suddenly have stock are too far away from the site meaning increased haulage costs but they simply dont need to travel as plenty of local demand .
Just a question of waiting and passing the cost on to the customer once in stock .
On a positive note discovered new suppliers by trying to source products leading to discovery of new potentially useful products .
Local nurseries plants are flying off the shelves and price increases are to be expected .
Anyone in business has to make money but once price increases become normalised its rare that prices will decrease when supply returns to normal as i can only see demand increasing .
We're aware of the timber shortages but had no idea about top soil. Perhaps we will see a reduction in demand later in the year.
The stay at home rules have certainly played a huge part in rising demands as people want to improve their gardens and living space but now this is easing, perhaps materials may become more readily available again as demand reduces.
How have your customers reacted to the higher prices? As a manufacturer, we have tried to absorb as much as possible but of course there comes a point when you have no choice but to pass on the cost.
Interesting how you have discovered new products. As a retailer it has also been beneficial, our Pro-Set which is a concrete alternative for setting fence posts has received a great deal more interest.
Fingers crossed the prices begin to fall again, but yes as you say once inflationary pressure have had their say, people generally absorb the extra margin if prices do begin to fall again.
Postcrete was in stock but would only sell on condition i purchased a post but i explained the posts they had in stock were not the size i needed , so they couldn't sell me the post crete . Pro set will remember that one .
Top soil was limited to Two pallets per outlet and one bag per customer . Actually found an outlet that will deliver in bulk bags but thats only just being made available but the source is important or you can end up introduceing weed particularly ground elder .
Customer response varies although the price of labour doesn't change a substantial increase on materials can make them wince .
One mulch product had increased by £2.95 on the bulk buy deal in a week , i had quoted less to the customer the previous week and this allowed me a £1 per bag profit but i had to absorb this initially , They then tried to buy the product cheaper themselves but could only find it at £16 per bag , i can source it for £10 per bag and deliver so they are now prepared to pay me £13 per bag which has worked out in my favour .
I think its swings and roundabouts but what appeals to me is being able to buy everything under one roof for convenience , would rather pay a premium than chase around looking for the cheapest product .
Plants are different as you can't always get what you need from one supplier and i feel nurseries deserve ultimate support i would not want them to absorb costs or compromise .
The larger sheds like B&Q have signs saying stock disruptions likely for 12 weeks inc there cheaper gravels but not there premium ranges (strange that ) I went to a local family business who buy bulk loose sand gravel and they said they have no supply issues at present as they pay on the day they receive goods
I guess if I was a supplier of any product in demand and had limited stock for trade and had the options of getting paid on delivery day or 90 days I'd deliver to the first as the latter may go bust in the mean time
my best friends still in the garden centre work says by paying the invoice before dispatch still doesn't guarantee delivery for terracotta compost or shrubs as everything is rationed
I bought in bulk my topsoil/ lawn feed as my new yard allows me to stockpile but those who can't afford to will probably find long waiting times
lawn fertilisers have been an issue for private clients as demand is now and no availability
Due to increases in timber prices we had to add £800 onto the price of a deck - just have to agree with customer before proceeding with order. Thankfully on that day and at that exact time I could get all the timber I required. However, I needed one single deck board to snag a section and I was told I'd need to be put on their waiting list!
Then when I needed artificial grass I couldn't get any, so ended up buying it from my local ironmongers!!! Then when I needed kd sand to brush-in my usual merchant wouldn't sell me 5 bags out of the 4 pallets they had because another larger contractor had already bought it all (for a big job coming up -yeah right!). Over the course of a single job I must have spent and extra 2 man days chasing around for materials to complete.
That's a hefty price increase on timber. Whats most challenging is like you say, the extra days of chasing materials. Not only are raw material costs rising, but everyone is also working over time to chase and source them. Fingers crossed it calms down soon.
Down here in Surrey, no PostCrete, no cement, no concrete posts & no Lap panels.When one is in stock the others are out. Local fencing supplier has had limited stocks of concrete posts since Feb, then no panels, then no Arris rails etc etc.
I priced up a job expecting PostCrete from Wickes at £4.40 bag, not a chance. But their parent company, Travis Perkins had it in at £7.77 a bag, on an account! Told them they are F***ing thieves & managed to get it at Buildbase £5.64 but they had no cement. Have even had shortage of ballast & sand here as well.
I thought I would try the PostSaver foam on a job this week incase of the shortages, very disappointed how it works. Too bloody slow to react, how can you wait 10 minutes before letting the post hold itself up.
That's expensive to say the least from Travis Perkins!
I'm sorry to hear you had a bad experience using Pro-Set Neil. We suggest using pieces of battern and a wood screw to position the post while it sets off. With those in place it should be fully hardened after 90 minutes. Just out of curiosity were you aware you needed to use battern etc from advertising or packaging? I'd welcome any feedback you might have - thanks.
I use battens etc when needed to hold a post upright, but some locations it isn't suitable. As for 90mins to be fully hardened & then able to work. Hmmm maybe if doing a run of posts & arris's, but that would mean battens all over the place. I will see how I get on with it on the next fencing job but it will be impossible to use when replacing a cpl of posts & lap panels. PostCrete is usable in 10 mins.
Thanks for your feedback Neil, it's interesting to hear your thoughts. I appreciate there's often one product that might be more suitable for a job than another. Thanks for the insights.
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