Pupkewitz Megabuild emerged as the most affordable hardware store in September 2026, reclaiming the top position from Ark Trading, which led the August survey.
Pupkewitz Megabuild recorded the lowest overall basket cost among the four stores surveyed at N$6,992.07, followed by Ark Trading at N$7,197.72. Build It ranked third with a basket cost of N$7,529.92, while BUCO remained the most expensive hardware store at N$7,877.45.
The difference between the cheapest and most expensive baskets stood at N$885.38 in September, compared with N$833.35 in August.
Key Observations
Roofing, structural materials and masonry
Pupkewitz Megabuild was particularly competitive across the construction materials surveyed, recording the lowest price on most of the products in this category.
- Pupkewitz offered the lowest price for Galvanized IBR Roofing at N$584.99, narrowly ahead of Build It at N$586.18.
- For Copper Tube 460 Class 0, Pupkewitz Megabuild again recorded the lowest price at N$598.99, compared with N$625.23 at Build It and N$625.82 at BUCO.
- Ark Trading offered the lowest price for 7MPA Bricks at N$2.79, compared with N$2.94 at Pupkewitz Megabuild.
- Pupkewitz recorded the lowest prices for both the 150mm and 75mm Brickforce rolls, at N$16.94 each.
- Pupkewitz also offered the lowest prices for all three concrete lintels surveyed. The 1.2m, 1.8m and 0.9m lintels were priced at N$46.45, N$72.90 and N$36.95, respectively.
Windows and doors
Pupkewitz Megabuild maintained its competitive position across windows and doors.
- The hardware store offered the lowest price for the Bronze Aluminium Window at N$858.99, while its Bronze Aluminium Sliding Door was priced at N$2,599.00, marginally below Build It’s N$2,599.26.
- Pupkewitz also recorded the lowest prices for the Steel Door Frame and Two-Lever Lockset, at N$534.99 and N$78.99, respectively.
- It was also marginally cheaper for the Hardboard Interior Door, priced at N$269.00, compared with N$269.91 at Build It.
Cement and finishing materials
- Cement prices remained relatively close across the four hardware stores, with Pupkewitz Megabuild recording the lowest prices for both grades of Ohorongo cement surveyed.
- The 32.5 Ohorongo cement was priced at N$106.00 at Pupkewitz, compared with N$106.10 at Build It. The 42.5 Ohorongo cement was also cheapest at Pupkewitz at N$114.00.
- Pupkewitz further recorded the lowest price for Ceiling Board, at N$159.00.
- Ark Trading, however, remained the most affordable option for Paint, at N$641.96. This was the only other product, besides 7MPA bricks, for which Ark Trading recorded the lowest price.
- Paint also recorded one of the largest price differences in the September basket, with Build It charging N$1,166.64, or N$524.68 more than Ark Trading.
Conclusion & Consumer Takeaway
The September 2026 hardware price survey places Pupkewitz Megabuild at the top of the affordability ranking, with an overall basket cost of N$6,992.07.
The store’s position was supported by its broad price competitiveness, recording the lowest price on 15 of the 17 products surveyed. Ark Trading followed with the lowest prices on 7MPA bricks and paint.
The results represent a reversal from August, when Ark Trading recorded the lowest overall basket despite Pupkewitz having the lowest prices on the largest number of individual products.
While Pupkewitz offered the lowest overall basket in September, the variation in individual product prices shows that consumers purchasing specific materials may still benefit from comparing prices across stores. The largest price difference in the September survey was recorded for paint, whereas Ark Trading’s price was N$524.68 lower than Build It’s.
