Build It emerged as the cheapest hardware store for 2023 in The Brief’s monthly survey that started in June this year. The survey aimed at assessing the affordability of a basket of hardware items from four different hardware stores: Build It, BUCO, Pupkewitz Megabuild, and Ark Trading.
The goal was to guide shoppers in identifying the hardware wholesaler offering the most cost-effective building materials for that particular month. Monthly analyses were conducted to track variations in both overall baskets and individual items.
BUCO consistently offered the most affordable overall basket for four consecutive months from June to September.
However, in October, Build It took the lead as the most affordable option. In November, Ark Trading, previously considered the most expensive, surprisingly offered the cheapest basket. By December, Build It took the position as the most affordable choice.
Notably, Build It emerged as the hardware store with the most affordable average overall basket for the entire 2023, averaging at N$8,062.77. In December, Build It’s basket stood out as the least expensive, costing N$7,099.27.
Examining specific items, the Aluminum Window, with the highest price in the basket, experienced a significant price change at Build It, starting at N$3,371.79 in June and settling at N$2,058.25 in December.
Conversely, smaller items like the Brick 7 MPA maintained a consistent price of N$2.59 from June to October, only to decrease to N$2.11 in November and December.
Securing the second spot for the cheapest basket in 2023 is BUCO, with an average of N$8,082.39 over the seven-month survey period.
BUCO initially set a positive tone and consistently held the title of the most affordable hardware store in Windhoek for four consecutive months, thanks in part to their competitively priced 20-litre paint.
Pupkewitz Megabuild secured third place, with its basket averaging N$8,296.96, while Ark Trading, with an average basket price of N$8,768.44, took the fourth spot in terms of affordability.
