Ark Trading emerged as the most affordable hardware retailer in August 2026, overtaking Pupkewitz Megabuild, which had held the top position in July.
Ark Trading recorded the lowest overall basket cost among the surveyed retailers at N$7,036.94, followed by Pupkewitz Megabuild at N$7,106.62.
Build It ranked third at N$7,553.50, while BUCO remained the most expensive retailer at N$7,870.29.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive baskets widened to N$833.35 in August, compared with N$654.42 in July.
Key Price Observations
Roofing, Structural Materials and Masonry
Price competitiveness varied across the major construction materials surveyed.
- Build It recorded the lowest price for Galvanized IBR Roofing Sheets at N$586.11, followed by Pupkewitz Megabuild at N$596.00.
- For Copper Tube 460 Class 0, Build It again recorded the lowest price at N$623.76, narrowly ahead of BUCO at N$625.82.
- Ark Trading offered the lowest price for 7MPA bricks at N$2.70, while BUCO recorded the lowest price for the 150mm Brickforce roll at N$17.28. Ark Trading was the most affordable for the 75mm Brickforce roll at N$17.39.
- Pupkewitz Megabuild remained competitive on concrete products, recording the lowest prices for the 1.2m and 1.8m concrete lintels, at N$46.94 and N$72.94, respectively. BUCO offered the lowest price for the 0.9m lintel at N$37.12.
- Cement prices remained relatively close across the four retailers. Build It recorded the lowest price for 32.5 Ohorongo cement at N$106.10, while Pupkewitz Megabuild offered the lowest price for 42.5 Ohorongo cement at N$114.00.
Windows and Doors
- Pupkewitz Megabuild maintained its competitive position on Bronze Aluminium Windows, recording the lowest price at N$858.99.
- For Bronze Aluminium Sliding Doors, Build It offered the lowest price at N$2,599.26, followed by Pupkewitz Megabuild at N$2,616.07.
- Ark Trading recorded the lowest price for Hardboard Interior Doors at N$270.12, while Pupkewitz Megabuild was the most affordable for Steel Door Frames at N$534.99 and Two-Lever Locksets at N$75.29.
Reinforcement and Interior Finishing
- For finishing materials, Ark Trading stood out with the lowest prices for Ceiling Boards at N$159.84 and Paint at N$641.96. The paint category recorded one of the largest price differences, with Build It’s price of N$1,166.64 more than N$500 above Ark Trading.
Conclusion & Consumer Takeaway
The August 2026 hardware price survey marks a change in the affordability ranking, with Ark Trading taking the top position from Pupkewitz Megabuild.
Although Ark Trading recorded the lowest overall basket, Pupkewitz Megabuild offered the lowest price on the largest number of individual products, with six of the 17 items surveyed. Ark Trading followed with five, while Build It and BUCO recorded the lowest prices on four and two products, respectively.
The results highlight that no single retailer consistently offered the lowest price across all products. Consumers purchasing a broad basket of construction materials may find Ark Trading to offer the best overall value, while comparing individual products across retailers could provide additional savings depending on the items purchased.
