Hardware Stores Near Me: Best Options in Ireland & UK

You’re halfway through a weekend DIY job and realise you’re one fitting short. The clock is ticking, and the nearest shop could be a five-minute walk or a thirty-minute drive — if you know where to look. In Ireland and the UK, the hardware landscape is surprisingly varied, from old-school ironmongers to massive builders’ merchants, and picking the right one often comes down to knowing the local names. This guide gives you the facts to find the best hardware store near you, whether you need a single screw or a full renovation load.

Year B&Q was founded: 1969 ·
Year Screwfix was founded: 1979 ·
Kingfisher stores worldwide: 1,640 (2024) ·
Traditional term for hardware store: Ironmonger

What do British people call hardware stores?

What is an ironmonger?

The traditional British term for a hardware store is ironmonger, a word first recorded in the 14th century (Wikipedia). An ironmonger originally sold iron goods — nails, tools, locks — and the name stuck for centuries. Today you’ll still find “ironmonger” on shop signs across the UK and Ireland, though many stores now call themselves hardware shops or DIY centres.

How has the term “hardware store” evolved?

• “Hardware store” became the standard term in the 20th century as product ranges expanded beyond iron (Wikipedia).
• In Ireland, builders providers is the common label for larger stores that sell timber, cement, and building materials alongside DIY goods (Chadwicks).
• Online retailers like Hardware Ireland use “hardware” as an umbrella term covering tools, paint, electrical, and garden.

The implication: if you walk into a shop called “ironmonger” in the UK or Ireland, you can expect traditional hardware services like key cutting and tool repair. If you see “builders providers”, you’re looking at a trade-focused warehouse.

What other stores are like B&Q?

Stores similar to B&Q in the UK

• Wickes — direct competitor with similar DIY/home improvement focus (Wickes).
• Homebase — garden and home décor slant, but overlaps in paint, tools, and storage.
• Screwfix — owned by the same parent company (Kingfisher) but oriented toward tradespeople with a smaller, tool-heavy range and lower prices (Screwfix).

Stores similar to B&Q in Ireland

• Woodie’s — 100% Irish owned, sells 30,000+ products across DIY, garden, and home (Woodie’s). Offers nationwide delivery and click & collect.
• Chadwicks — a builders provider with 30+ locations, serving both trade and DIY (Chadwicks).
• HomeValue — online + in-store retailer with over 30 stores, carrying brands like Dewalt and Bosch (HomeValue).
• Lenehans — Dublin-based family business since 1865, known for greenhouses and speciality hardware (Lenehans).

Are Screwfix and Wickes like B&Q?

Yes and no. All three are home improvement retailers, but Screwfix is trade-focused with fewer home décor lines, while Wickes offers a balanced range of building supplies, kitchens, and bathrooms. The key difference: Kingfisher plc owns both B&Q and Screwfix but runs them as separate brands (Kingfisher).

Which is cheaper, B&Q or Screwfix?

Four common items, one pattern: Screwfix consistently undercuts B&Q on the same brands. Here’s a comparison.

Prices checked April 2025. See B&Q Ireland and Screwfix for current.

The trade-off: Screwfix trades range for price. It doesn’t stock wallpaper, plants, or kitchen cabinets. B&Q offers more choice but charges a premium for convenience and breadth.

Are B&Q and Screwfix the same company?

Kingfisher plc ownership

Yes — both are owned by Kingfisher plc, a London-headquartered home improvement group with 1,640 stores worldwide as of 2024 (Kingfisher). Kingfisher also owns Castorama and Brico Depot in mainland Europe. The group’s annual revenue for 2024 was £13 billion.

How B&Q and Screwfix differ

• Target customer: B&Q aims at DIY homeowners; Screwfix targets tradespeople.
• Store format: B&Q stores are large warehouses with garden centres; Screwfix stores are compact, often trade counters with minimal display.
• Pricing: Screwfix’s leaner model lets it offer lower prices on identical items, as shown in the comparison above.

Other Kingfisher brands

Kingfisher’s European portfolio includes Castorama (France/Poland) and Brico Depot (France/Spain/Italy). In Turkey, the group holds a stake in Koçtaş (Kingfisher).

Is HomeValue.ie legit?

HomeValue is a legitimate Irish hardware retailer with a physical store network and online presence. The company claims over 30 stores across Ireland and partners with major brands like Dewalt, Bosch, and Stanley (HomeValue homepage).

HomeValue.ie company overview

• Founded as an online retailer, later expanded into brick-and-mortar.
• Stores are primarily in Leinster and Munster, with a national shipping service.
• Service offerings include click & collect and delivery (HomeValue delivery info).

Customer reviews and trustworthiness

Trustpilot reviews are mixed — some customers praise delivery speed, others report stock issues. However, the company is registered with the Companies Registration Office in Ireland and has been trading for several years. The mixed feedback suggests the business is genuine but may have operational hiccups.

How to find the best hardware store near you: a step-by-step guide

Step 1: Define what you need

• A single tool or fitting → look for a small hardware shop or ironmonger (e.g., Pearse Street Hardware in Dublin (Pearse Street Hardware)).
• Building materials for a renovation → head to a builders provider (Chadwicks, Woodie’s).
• Specialist items (i.e., greenhouses, vintage fittings) → try Lenehans (Lenehans).

Step 2: Search smarter

• Use Google Maps with the query “hardware stores near me” and filter by open now.
• Check whether the store offers click & collect — B&Q Ireland promises 15-minute collection (B&Q Ireland).
• For wholesale, search “builders providers near me” or check United Hardware’s member directory (United Hardware).

Step 3: Compare prices and range

• For common branded tools, compare Screwfix vs B&Q using the table above.
• For Irish-specific options, compare HomeValue and Woodie’s on delivery fees and product availability.

Step 4: Check reviews and opening hours

• Yelp and Google Reviews can reveal real-time issues like stock levels and service (Yelp Dublin hardware listings).
• Call ahead for specialist items — many independent stores cut keys and mix paint on-site.

Pros and cons of chain vs independent stores

The pattern: chains win on convenience and price for standard items; independents win on expertise and specialist products.

Confirmed facts vs what’s unclear

“We are the parent company of B&Q, Screwfix, Castorama, Brico Depot, and Koçtaş.”

— Kingfisher plc, corporate website

“Transform your home & garden with ease! Explore our wide range of DIY solutions & hardware essentials.”

— HomeValue.ie homepage

“Famous for Hardware since 1865”

— Lenehans.ie history page

For Irish DIYers and UK tradespeople alike, the choice boils down to urgency and scope. If you need a single item now, a local independent or Screwfix will get you sorted fastest. If you’re planning a project, the range and delivery options of B&Q, Woodie’s, or Chadwicks are hard to beat. The implication for the average shopper is clear: know your local options, check prices online first, and keep a store-opening-hours bookmark handy for those Sunday afternoon emergencies.

For a deeper dive into finding the best local options, check out this local hardware store guide tailored specifically to the Irish market.

Frequently asked questions