One of the cornerstones of a more frugal lifestyle is your ability to be more self-sufficient. This might mean that when there’s something that needs to be fixed or a home improvement to be made, you should be willing to get your tools on and get hands-on with it yourself, much of the time.
For that reason, I’m going to take a look at some of the best online tool stores for DIY, trades, and general work around the house, what you can expect from each, and who they might best serve. These stores cover the UK and Ireland and are in no particular order – just a few options for you to choose from..!
How To Choose The Right Tool Store For You
When you’re picking a tool store, you might have a specific tool in mind, but if your needs are more general and common, you should think about the following criteria:
- Product range
- Customer support
- Helpful guidance and expertise
- Price and budget
- Professional/household quality
- Shopping experience
- Delivery and click-and-collect options
Carey Tools – Huge Selection With Expert Support
If you’re based in Ireland, one of the best places to start is with Carey Tools, which is known as Ireland’s go-to store for all kinds of tools. Having been in operation since 1960, they’re easily one of the most established brands, carrying everything from garden tools and hand tools to power tools, safety gear, electrical and lighting supplies, and much more.
Aside from having an extensive selection of more than 27k+ products, they’re easily reachable on the phone or through email, with a team of staff that is able to help you find precisely the products you’re looking for, thanks to an extensive internal knowledge base. Well-suited for both DIYers and professionals who are looking for trade-level tools, they’re definitely worth a closer look.
Pros:
- Massive range of products
- Good for both DIY and professional customers
- Highly knowledgeable and can direct you to the specific products you’re after
Cons:
- The online interface can be a little less slick for finding specific products
- Shipping outside of Ireland may cost more
Woodies – Solid Consumer Collection
Another Irish DIY and tool store that’s based online, Woodies might not have quite as extensive a selection, but it certainly doesn’t lack for quality products, either. They are much more on the consumer-facing side, with extensive decorating, paint, furniture, and lawn/garden sections, but they do have a respectable selection of bathroom and plumbing supplies and some tools, as well.
They offer nationwide delivery, as well as cross-border delivery (at a cost), as well as rapid click-and-collect purchases. It’s a store that’s well designed for beginners with a range of how-to guides to help homeowners complete all manner of projects. However, its offerings for professionals or those who are looking for more specific DIY tools are a little thin.
Pros:
- Strong line of garden tools
- Great for consumer products
- Fast click-and-collect
Cons:
- Higher cross-border shipping costs
- Limited specialist or pro tool selection
ToolStore UK – A Highly Curated Online Tool Specialist
While a range of options is always good, sometimes you want to know which brands you can rely on and stick with them. ToolStore UK might not have the widest selection in the world, but they have a decent range for both tradespeople and DIYers, such as high-quality hand tools, power tools, accessories, and fixings from major brands like Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, and Kreg.
Their tools all come with a guarantee of professional-grade quality, but they are suitable for relatively new DIYers, thanks to their range of guides that help them not only learn how to do certain tasks and projects, but also help them better understand the tools they’re buying. For many, this is worth the somewhat higher prices that can be expected.
Pros:
- Strong choice of brands
- Wide tool range
- Solid series of DIY guides
Cons:
- Premium costs should be expected
- Mostly online-based
Toolden – Custom-Kit Building And Wide Tool Distribution
Another solid choice for those who know their tools and what they’re looking for, Toolden is an online distributor-style store with a wide offering of power tools, hand tools, fixings, accessories, and safety gear, including options from brand names and more specialist providers, as well.
They’re particularly noteworthy for their “Kit Builder”, which allows for the composition and delivery of custom toolkits that can fit the needs of both trade and DIY customers. They also offer a great deal for those who shop routinely or make big orders, with free deliveries above a certain threshold. This does come at the cost of being a little less beginner-friendly, however.
Pros:
- Very wide selection of tools
- Strong choice for tradespeople
- Has a great custom kit builder
Cons:
- Not as great for beginners
- Few local collection options
ScrewFix – For The Serious Tradespeople
If you’re a person looking for the tools necessary not only for DIY but to do all kinds of trades work, ScrewFix may be worth a closer look for you, as well. This site offers thousands of power tools, hand tools, fixings, electricals, and plumbing parts, focused on the industry customer, with trade prices and one of the best loyalty programmes in the field.
It also includes much more technical detail on product pages, with specs and compatibility info ready at a glance. As one of the larger tool store brands, it also has a wide range of branches in its network that can be used for same-day collection.
Pros:
- Massive catalogue of products
- Fast pickup from a wide branch network
- Well-suited for trade customers
Cons:
- Stock levels can vary greatly
- Not very beginner-friendly
Which Will You Choose?
Finding the best tool store is often about knowing exactly what kind of tool you want and where it can be found. Carey Tools is always a great place to start, thanks to its truly extensive range, but it’s worth exploring other options if you can’t find what you need there, too. Hopefully, the descriptions above point you in the right direction, whatever your need may be.
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