My World of Work

You are here

Home // My Career Options // Builders' merchant

Builders' merchant

DIY store worker yard manager DIY sales assistant
Bookmark
Construction and building
Support

Career outlook for builders' merchant

Average UK salary

£25,480

Currently employed in Scotland

21,300

"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would sell and hire out products for use in DIY and professional building.

You would deal with products such as:

  • Timber
  • Bricks
  • Decorating materials
  • Plumbing supplies
  • Tools
  • Gardening equipment

You would:

  • Advise customers about products
  • 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

If you work in a large DIY store you may also assist with general sales.

With experience, you could work as a team leader or yard manager. You would have more responsibilities, such as training staff, ordering stock and enforcing health and safety rules.

Working conditions

Hours

You would work between 35 and 40 hours a week. Large DIY outlets usually have extended opening hours over evenings and weekends. You may have to work shifts, and part-time hours are often available. In smaller stores your hours may be more regular.

Environment

You would divide your time between the store and the yard. Most of your time would be spent on your feet and the job could involve some lifting and carrying of heavy materials. Your employer would usually provide you with a uniform and safety footwear.

UK employment status

Full-time

70%

Part-time

24%

Self employed

6%

Search course options

Thinking about your future? There are lots of courses available that could interest you. Use our course search to explore course options.

Find courses

Search job opportunities

If you're looking for your new career our job search can help you. Discover interesting opportunities and decide your next steps.

Find a job

Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.

  • Building relationships
  • Verbal communication
  • Written communication
  • Problem solving
  • Working with numbers
  • Attention to detail
  • Managing resources
  • Time management
  • Reliable
  • Taking responsibility

Skills Explorer

Your skills can help you choose the career that's right for you. You can build your skills through work, study or activities you do in your spare time.

Our Skills Explorer tool will help you understand what skills you have and match them to jobs that might suit you.

Use the Skills Explorer tool

Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Qualifications

You do not need any formal qualifications but employers will look for a good general standard of education.

Useful subjects

  • Maths
  • English
  • ICT
  • Administrative and business subjects

Helpful to have

You may be able to get into this career through a Modern Apprenticeship with a building supplies firm or DIY store and work towards Scottish Vocational Qualification in Warehousing & Storage (SVQ level 2).

Previous experience in construction, warehousing or retail could be helpful although not essential.

A driving licence may be preferred.