Builders Warehouse Specials: Formats, Store Count and How to Buy Building Materials for Less
Quick answer: Builders Warehouse, headquartered in Sandton and owned by Massmart (a wholly owned Walmart subsidiary since November 2020), had 117 locations in 2025 across South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia, according to Wikipedia. It operates several formats: Builders Warehouse, Builders Express (small format), Builders Trade Depot (for construction entrepreneurs) and Builders Superstore. A catalogue aggregator lists a "Sounds Like Spring" catalogue from 15 September to 2 November 2026 with HTH pool products at prices such as R1,299 for 25 kg granular chlorine, so check the dates and tags in store.
' 'Last updated: October 2026. Facts come from Wikipedia (Builders Warehouse), Walmart's South Africa pages and the cataloguespecials.co.za HTH listing. Wikipedia gives conflicting founding information (2003, with a 1967 category), which the article does not explain, so we do not state a single founding year. We do not quote prices beyond the listings noted.
' 'Builders Warehouse at a glance
'| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Owner | Massmart; Walmart bought 51% in May 2011 and the rest by November 2020 |
| Headquarters | Sandton, Gauteng |
| Locations | 117 in 2025 across South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia |
| Formats | Builders Warehouse; Builders Express (small format); Builders Trade Depot (construction entrepreneurs); Builders Superstore |
| Range | Construction equipment, building materials, home improvement supplies, plants |
| Financial figure | Operating income of R1.18 billion in 2022 |
| Solar milestone | Northriding store opened in 2017 with 400 roof panels supplying 16% of annual energy |
| Prototype store | Unveiled in Boksburg in 2019 |
Which format should you use?
'| Format | Best for |
|---|---|
| Builders Warehouse | Home owners, DIY projects, garden and decor |
| Builders Express | Quick purchases of small items |
| Builders Trade Depot | Contractors and small builders buying in volume |
| Builders Superstore | Large-range shopping with more categories |
How to buy building materials for less
'- '
- Measure first. Calculate quantities (bricks, cement, paint) before you shop so you do not overbuy. '
- Compare unit prices. For chlorine, cement or paint, divide the price by the weight or volume. '
- Compare against rivals: Cashbuild, Build It, Leroy Merlin, Brights Hardware and local suppliers. '
- Check the catalogue dates. The "Sounds Like Spring" listing ran 15 September to 2 November 2026. '
- Ask about trade pricing if you are a contractor. '
- Check delivery fees for heavy items. '
Worked example: pool chemicals from the listing
'The aggregator listing shows 25 kg HTH Granular+ Chlorine at R1,299, which is R51.96 per kg, and 4 kg HTH Dry Chlorine at R275, which is R68.75 per kg (our calculations). The bulk container is about 24% cheaper per kilogram, so a pool owner who will use it within a season and can store it safely saves money. See our HTH article for the full list.
'| Item (listing) | Price | Unit price |
|---|---|---|
| HTH Granular+ Chlorine 25 kg | R1,299 | R51.96 per kg |
| HTH Dry Chlorine 4 kg | R275 | R68.75 per kg |
| HTH Shock It 500 g | R59 | R118 per kg |
Your rights as a buyer
'The Consumer Protection Act requires goods to be of good quality and gives you a general six months to return defective goods. Keep your slip and the product packaging. For delivered items, check the goods before the driver leaves and note any damage on the delivery note.
Planning a DIY project budget
'Before you buy, write a materials list with quantities and add a contingency of 10% for mistakes and wastage. Price the list at two or three suppliers, and ask each for a written quote with the date. Separate the cost of materials from tools you can hire and from labour if you use a contractor. If you are building something that needs approval, such as an extension or a boundary wall, check the municipal requirements first, because starting work without approval can be expensive to fix.
'Schedule delivery for the day you need materials rather than weeks ahead, because bags of cement left outside can spoil in rain and unsecured materials can be stolen. Keep every slip in one folder, photograph the delivery note and check the quantities when materials arrive. For paint, buy enough from the same batch to finish a room, because shades can vary slightly between batches. Finally, ask the store what happens to unopened leftovers; many retailers accept returns of unopened items within a set period, but policies differ.
'| Project step | Budget tip |
|---|---|
| Materials list | Add 10% contingency |
| Quotes | Get at least three, with dates |
| Delivery | Schedule close to use; check quantities on arrival |
| Leftovers | Ask about returns before you buy |
Pros and cons
'Pros
'- '
- Several formats for homeowners and trade customers. '
- Wide range from materials to garden. '
- Backed by Walmart's Massmart. '
Cons
'- '
- Heavy items cost more to deliver. '
- Specials end on fixed dates. '
- Prices vary by region and competitor. '
Frequently asked questions
'Who owns Builders Warehouse?
'Massmart, which Walmart has owned fully since November 2020.
'How many stores are there?
'117 in 2025, across four countries, per Wikipedia.
'What is Builders Trade Depot?
'A format for construction entrepreneurs.
'When does the current catalogue end?
'The listed "Sounds Like Spring" catalogue ends on 2 November 2026.
' 'Sources
'- '
- Wikipedia: Builders Warehouse '
- Walmart corporate: South Africa location facts '
- cataloguespecials.co.za: HTH specials at Builders Warehouse '
www.thencc.org.za: www.thencc.org.za
