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Guides·10 min read·

Jewson for Builders: Prices, Trade Accounts & How It Works (2026 Guide)

Jewson for builders guide

If you're a builder, contractor, or any kind of tradesperson in the UK, chances are you've been to a Jewson. It's one of the largest builders merchants in the country, with over 400 branches — and for a lot of tradespeople, it's the first stop before every job.

But whether you're a regular or you've never set foot in one, there's a lot worth knowing about how Jewson works: how their trade accounts save you money, what to expect on pricing, how delivery works, and how it compares to the competition.

This guide covers all of it. And if you're pricing jobs and buying materials, we'll also show you how to go from "materials bought" to "quote sent" in under a minute.

What is Jewson?

Jewson is a UK-based builders merchant and part of the Saint-Gobain group. They supply building materials, timber, plumbing, electrical, landscaping, and roofing products to trade professionals and the public.

They stock everything from bricks, blocks, and cement to kitchens, bathrooms, and insulation. If you're working on a residential build, renovation, or repair, Jewson likely carries what you need.

Trade vs public customers

Jewson serves both trade and public customers, but their pricing, service, and account options are heavily geared towards tradespeople. Walk in off the street and you'll pay list price. Open a trade account and you'll get significantly better rates — more on that below.

Who uses Jewson?

Jewson's core customers are:

  • Builders and general contractors — picking up materials for residential and commercial jobs
  • Specialist trades — roofers, landscapers, bricklayers buying trade-specific materials
  • Renovation and extension specialists — sourcing everything from structural timber to finishing materials
  • Small firms and sole traders — who need a reliable local supplier without the overhead of direct manufacturer accounts

For many builders, the daily routine looks like this: check the job list, drive to Jewson, pick up materials, get to site. It's baked into the workflow.

Jewson trade accounts explained

This is where Jewson becomes genuinely useful for tradespeople. A Jewson trade account gives you access to better pricing, credit terms, and a dedicated account manager.

What you get with a trade account

  • Trade pricing — significantly lower than walk-in prices, especially on bulk items
  • Credit terms — typically 30 days, so you can buy materials now and pay after the job is done
  • Monthly statements — easier bookkeeping and expense tracking
  • Dedicated account manager — someone at your local branch who knows your buying patterns
  • Volume discounts — the more you buy, the better the deal

How to apply

You can apply for a Jewson trade account online or at your local branch. You'll typically need:

  • Proof of trade (business registration, insurance, or similar)
  • ID and address verification
  • A credit check (for credit accounts)

Cash trade accounts (without credit) are usually approved quickly. Credit accounts take a few days for the credit check to clear.

Jewson prices: what to expect

Jewson pricing varies by branch, account type, and volume. There's no single price list — and that's actually by design.

Why prices vary

  • Trade vs public — trade account holders pay less, sometimes 20-40% less on key items
  • Branch-level pricing — different branches may price the same item differently based on local competition
  • Volume — buying 100 bags of cement is cheaper per unit than buying 5
  • Negotiation — yes, you can negotiate, especially on larger orders

Tips to get better pricing

  • Always have a trade account — even a basic cash account gets better rates than walking in cold
  • Build a relationship with your branch — regulars get better deals
  • Ask for a quote on bulk orders — don't just accept the first price on anything over a few hundred pounds
  • Compare across branches — if you have two Jewson branches nearby, prices may differ
  • Check competitor prices — mention what Travis Perkins or Screwfix are charging and your branch may match or beat it

Jewson delivery and collection

Delivery options

Jewson offers delivery from most branches, including:

  • Standard delivery — usually next working day
  • Timed delivery — morning or afternoon slots
  • Crane and HIAB delivery — for heavy or awkward loads (timber packs, roof trusses, etc.)

Delivery costs vary by branch and order size. Large orders often qualify for free delivery — ask when you order.

Click & collect

You can order online or by phone and collect from your local branch. This is useful when you want to make sure stock is available before driving over. Most branches open early (around 6:30-7:00 AM) which suits tradespeople starting jobs early.

Jewson vs other builders merchants

Jewson vs Travis Perkins

Travis Perkins is Jewson's closest competitor. Both are large national merchants with similar product ranges.

  • Pricing: Very similar for trade account holders. Compare on specific items rather than assuming one is always cheaper.
  • Branch network: Both have 400+ branches. Check which is closer to your regular jobs.
  • Service: Varies by branch. Some tradespeople swear by one over the other based on local staff and stock reliability.

Jewson vs Screwfix

Screwfix is a different type of merchant — more focused on fixings, tools, electrical, and plumbing rather than heavy building materials.

  • Jewson is better for: timber, bricks, blocks, cement, roofing, structural materials
  • Screwfix is better for: fixings, tools, electrical fittings, quick pickups
  • Pricing: Screwfix has fixed transparent pricing. Jewson's trade pricing is often lower on materials but you need an account.

Jewson vs Toolstation

Toolstation sits in a similar space to Screwfix — good for tools, fixings, and smaller items. Less useful for structural materials and bulk orders where Jewson excels.

Pros and cons of using Jewson

Pros

  • Wide range of building materials under one roof
  • Trade accounts with genuine discounts and credit
  • Over 400 branches across the UK
  • Delivery including crane/HIAB for heavy loads
  • Good for both small pickups and large project orders

Cons

  • Pricing isn't transparent — you need an account to see real trade prices
  • Walk-in prices can be high compared to Screwfix or online
  • Stock availability varies by branch
  • Some branches are better run than others — service quality isn't always consistent

How builders use Jewson on real jobs

Here's a typical workflow for a builder pricing and starting a job:

  1. Survey the job — visit the site, understand the scope
  2. Calculate materials — work out what you need (bricks, timber, cement, fixings, etc.)
  3. Price materials at Jewson — check your trade prices, get a quote on bulk items
  4. Add your labour — days on site, any subcontractors
  5. Write the quote — pull it all together into a professional document
  6. Send to the client — and hope you're the first

Steps 1-3 are the practical bit. Step 4-6? That's where most builders lose time.

After buying materials… you still have to write the quote

This is the part nobody talks about. You've surveyed the job. You've been to Jewson. You know exactly what materials cost and how long the work will take.

Now you need to write it up. Open a laptop, find your template, fill in the line items, calculate the totals, format it into a PDF, email it to the client.

That's another 20-30 minutes. And if you're tired after a day on site, it gets pushed to tomorrow. Then the day after. Then the client's gone with someone else.

There's a faster way

Tools like VoiceQuote let you skip the writing entirely. You describe the job out loud — "kitchen extension, 2 weeks work, materials from Jewson about £3,000, labour £350 a day" — and it generates a professional PDF quote with itemised line items, a project summary, and your branding.

Thirty seconds instead of thirty minutes. You can do it in the Jewson car park before you've even driven to site.

Try it now — no signup needed

Describe a job and see it turn into a professional quote in seconds.

Try VoiceQuote free

FAQ

Is Jewson trade only?

No. Jewson sells to both trade and public customers. However, trade account holders get better pricing, credit terms, and dedicated service.

Does Jewson offer credit accounts?

Yes. Trade credit accounts typically offer 30-day payment terms. You'll need to pass a credit check to be approved.

Are Jewson prices cheaper than Screwfix?

For building materials (timber, bricks, cement), Jewson trade prices are usually competitive or cheaper. For tools and fixings, Screwfix often has better pricing and transparency.

Does Jewson deliver?

Yes. Standard, timed, and crane/HIAB delivery options are available from most branches. Delivery costs vary — large orders may qualify for free delivery.

How do I open a Jewson account?

Apply online at jewson.co.uk or visit your local branch. You'll need proof of trade and ID. Cash accounts are approved quickly; credit accounts require a credit check.

What are Jewson's opening times?

Most branches open Monday to Friday from around 6:30 or 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday mornings. Check your local branch for exact times as they vary.

Final thoughts

Jewson is a solid, reliable builders merchant — especially if you have a trade account and build a relationship with your local branch. The pricing is competitive, the range is wide, and for most UK builders it's a convenient daily stop.

The one thing Jewson can't help with is the quoting. Once you've got your materials priced and your labour calculated, you still need to turn that into something you can send to a client. That's where most builders lose jobs — not because their price is wrong, but because they took too long to send it.

If you want to go from "materials priced at Jewson" to "professional quote in the client's inbox" in under a minute, give VoiceQuote a try. It's free to test — no signup needed.

Quote jobs in 30 seconds

Speak the job. Get a professional quote with line items, costs, and a project summary — ready to send.

Try VoiceQuote free