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<p>Large stocks of building materials and supporting construction materials is what I would probably call a "builders merchant".</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/builders%27-merchant?q=builders+merchant">http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/builders%27-merchant?q=builders+merchant</a></p>
<p>But note the third example sentence: "The boundaries between builders' merchants and DIY operators is becoming increasingly blurred."</p>
<p>Buying enough stuff to put up a shelf might come under "DIY" but the same stuff in quantities to build a new room extension is a different ballgame and then I would search for a builders merchant in the area, not a DIY shop.</p>
<p>//colin</p>
<p>On 2016-02-11 11:31, John Willis wrote:</p>
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<div class="pre" style="margin: 0; padding: 0; font-family: monospace"><br /><br /> Javbw<br /><br />
<blockquote type="cite" style="padding: 0 0.4em; border-left: #1010ff 2px solid; margin: 0">On Feb 11, 2016, at 5:26 PM, Martin Koppenhoefer <<a href="mailto:dieterdreist@gmail.com">dieterdreist@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br /><br /> ot (they'd sell wire and nails/screws, glue, paint and even small amounts of gypsum or cement, also smaller extruded metal profiles might be available, or chainlink mesh,</blockquote>
<br /> Usually they sell small amounts of many materials for very tiny projects, but usually the small amounts are for repairs of exists ting things. <br /><br /> Many people repairing a toilet or a door may go to a hardware store. But no one finishing a room or building a bathroom is. The DIY is for "you can renovate the bathroom or build a deck" yourself - anyone should be able to patch a hole in the wall or repair a leaky faucet - that isn't the DIY meaning. I built a workshop in our garden from lumber and metal sheeting from a DIY. I bought a specialty tool to repair an old sink at a hardware store. <br /><br /> Focusing on products available is the key. Making a distinction that is easy for mappers to discern in wiki (or iD preset) without cracking the OED and without having them make a judgment call on the quality of service (I have met morons and well-versed professionals in both) are very good things to avoid. DIY stores are open to the public - whereas many counties have restrictions on certain types of materials available. Though a pro or contractor may buy materials at a DIY shop, that is also not important - as the DIY sells bulk building supplies to *anyone* - that is the important part. <br /><br /> Hardware shop: focus on:<br /><br /> Tools (power, hand)<br /> Hardware (fasteners, hinges, etc)<br /> Consumables / paint <br /><br /> And Minor stock of materials (small lumber, garden) <br /><br /> ~~~~~<br /><br /><br /> DIY: focus on:<br /> Large stocks of above, plus<br /><br /> Focus on Large stocks of building materials. <br /><br /> In addition, may include: <br /> Large stocks of fixtures/ home appliances / Outdoor tools/ farm supplies / landscaping supplies<br /><br /> Large stocks of supporting construction materials. <br /><br /> Again, we're in a world where the DIY shop (Home Depot) has crushed the "general hardware" store (Ace), so there should be a lot more DIY stores in some regions than "hardware" shops. <br /><br /> Javbw<br /> _______________________________________________<br /> Tagging mailing list<br /><a href="mailto:Tagging@openstreetmap.org">Tagging@openstreetmap.org</a><br /><a href="https://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/tagging">https://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/tagging</a></div>
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