Finding decent timber for your building project in London can drive you up the wall. I’ve been there myself, wandering around trying to source quality wood that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. The whole experience can be proper frustrating when you’re stuck with dodgy suppliers, shoddy materials, and deliveries that never show up when promised. Your project timeline gets shot to bits and before you know it, your budget’s gone out the window.
But hang on, it’s not all doom and gloom. London’s actually packed with some top notch builders merchants timber suppliers who can sort you out with everything you need. Let me walk you through my personal picks that’ll save you the headache I went through.
1. North London Timber
North London Timber isn’t just another wood supplier. I popped in there last month for some oak beams and was properly impressed. They’ve been around for over 60 years, which says something about their quality and service. What makes them stand out is their focus on trade customers. If you’re a contractor looking for reliable supplies for construction, timber flooring or joinery work, you’ll feel right at home here. Their prices won’t make your eyes water either, especially when compared with other London suppliers.
Need materials today? They offer same-day delivery across London, which saved my bacon once when I was on a tight deadline. The warehouse is wheelchair accessible too, which is handy. One bloke I chatted to in the queue told me he’d been coming here for years because of the service. Can’t argue with that — their Google reviews are full of 5-star ratings.
Contact
- Address: 130 High Road, London N15 6JN
- Phone: +44 20 8806 1515
- Website: https://www.northlondontimber.co.uk/
2. Howarth Timber & Building Supplies London
This place is part of the biggest privately owned timber company in the UK, with roots going back to 1840. Talk about staying power! I was renovating my kitchen last year and needed various bits and bobs beyond just timber. Howarth was ideal because they’re genuinely a one-stop shop. Their range includes all sorts of sheet materials, insulation and pretty much anything else you might need.
What I found really valuable was the staff knowledge. You can tell they get proper training about timber. Asked a young lad about the best wood for outdoor decking and he gave me a full rundown that actually made sense. The Brockley Cross location has wheelchair access and is fairly easy to get to. Reviews are a bit mixed at 3.9 on Google, but my experience was sound.
Contact
- Address: Breckley Cross, London SE4 2LY
- Phone: +44 20 8691 6237
- Website: https://www.howarth-timber.co.uk/branches/london/
3. Fulham Timber & Building Supplies
Been around since 1984, these guys have grown to have multiple spots across South West London. I’ve used their Balham Hill branch a few times. What’s handy about Fulham Timber is they’ve got their own sawmill in Colliers Wood. Needed some custom cuts for a tricky bit of shelving and they sorted it no problem. The staff know their stuff,which isn’t always guaranteed these days. I reckon having about 131 employees means they can afford to be specialists rather than jacks of all trades.
One thing that saved me once was their same-day delivery. Only works if they’re already passing your site, but worth asking about if you’re in a pinch. They’ve got this online ordering system that’s actually usable, unlike some of the dinosaur websites other merchants are still running. Reviews sit around 3.5 stars though, with some moaning about stock accuracy, so double check before you make the journey.
Contact
- Address: 103 Balham Hill, London SW12 9DP
- Phone: +44 20 8767 6384
4. Lords Builders Merchants – Putney
The timber yard at Lords in Putney is a bit of a hidden gem. Not many people seem to know about it, but it’s well worth a visit. These guys are proper professional builders merchants with a dedicated timber section that covers decking, flooring, and all the usual construction timber you’d need. I was shocked when I checked their Google rating — 4.8 from 120 reviews is pretty much unheard of in this industry. After using them for some garden decking timber, I can see why people rate them so highly.
Their delivery service is spot on, same day if you order early enough. The yard has good accessibility with wheelchair access and parking, which makes loading up larger orders much less of a faff. The staff actually seem to enjoy their jobs, which makes a refreshing change. One fella spent a good 15 minutes helping me pick the right treated timber for a garden project — no rushing or blank stares.
Contact
- Address: 80-82 Upper Richmond Road, London SW15 2SU
- Phone: +44 20 8870 5291
- Website: http://lordsbm.co.uk/
5. S & S Builders Merchants
S & S is your typical local, independent merchant in East London — but done right. I stumbled across them when working on a job in Leyton and they’ve been my go-to in that area ever since. With a 4.6 Google rating from 79 reviews, they’re clearly keeping their customers happy. What I love is they’re open all day Saturday, which is a godsend when you remember Friday night that you need more materials for the weekend.
The yard is accessible with decent parking, and they offer same-day delivery if you’re in a rush. Took me out of a tight spot once when my van broke down mid-job. You can pay however you want — cards, mobile payments, the lot. None of that “cash only” nonsense some of the older merchants still cling to. For East London projects, you won’t find much better for balancing quality and price. Not the cheapest, not the most expensive, but the service makes it worthwhile.
Contact
- Address: 40 Bickley Road, London E10 7AQ
- Phone: +44 20 8539 0414
Look, when it comes to builders merchants timber in London, you’ve got options. Your choice really depends on where your project is, what specific timber you’re after, how much you’re willing to spend, and whether you need it dropped off. I’ve used all five of these merchants for different jobs, and each has their strengths. My advice? Pop in and have a chat with them about your project. See their stock firsthand and get a feel for their knowledge. The right timber merchant can make or break your building project — so choose carefully, and you’ll be laughing.
