[tallulah]

I'm itching to make up a few raised beds as soon as I can, but wondering where the best place to buy cheap wood might be - I had hope to be rummaging in skips etc or try freecycle, but nothing around at the moment.  Rather than delay things, decided I'll just have to get the old wallet out.  Priced up in Homebase - length of timber 1.8m, aprox 30 cm wide was £3.49.  Surely there are cheaper places.  Jewson's maybe?  Does anyone have any tips?

[poultrygeist]

Hi tallulah.

I wouldn't buy timber from homebase. Cheapeast would be builders merchants (Jewsons or others) for quantities and you'll get better quality but if you have a local timber merchant or sawmill you can get some rough sawn planks cheaper.
Wood is expensive in any form nowadays. Due mainly to legislation to stop illegal /unsustainable logging.

If you can get some pallets for free, even better.

Rob

[hindy]

Hi tallulah

I tend to find that Wickes are the cheapest around for timber as they are a builders merchant, Best to buy the packs of timber though.

I guess I'm very lucky caus I don't have to buy much, Our allotment warden works for a fencing company and he always  has plenty spare, and being a mate too

Andy

[Knight Family]

i would agree Wickes seams to be the cheapest. and i tried everyone by us. But you never know you might get lucky.

[tallulah]

Thanks everyone.  Yes, I'm always on the lookout for pallets etc but absolutely nothing in the neighbourhood at the moment.  I shall track down my nearest Wickes.

[noshed]

Try plumbers merchants for pallets - they have big ones for baths.
Ordinary timber merchants are the cheapest if you can't find a sawmill. Roofing timber is treated. Or try fencing contractors or shed builders. Supermarket places are quite expensive.

[Ice]

Gratuitous photo of my Wickes gravel board raised bed.  This was the prototype for several more to come.

[CARROTTCRUNCHER]

Nothing wrong with wickes diy , but i got mine from B&Q 1.8mtrs £3.25 and 2.4mtrs@£4.25 its all treated and i found them to be a little cheaper than wicks and slightly better quality and if you know anyone over 65 get them to a diamond card i think its called and go on a wednesday you will get a further 10% discount

[richyrich7]

Salvage yard   nice and cheap, I bought some old decking boards for mine at a silly price £1 for 8' length all treated, loads of cheap stuff in them places 

[RGManby]

I bought a load of pressure treated timber direct from the local builders merchant, 7/8"x6" 80p a meter and in 4.8 meter lengths. Is great stuff and used all 42 lengths already  :blink:

[Knight Family]

Salvage yard   nice and cheap, I bought some old decking boards for mine at a silly price £1 for 8' length all treated, loads of cheap stuff in them places 

Trouble is Richy trying to find a good yard to start with!  (never found one in Liverpool / lancashire area

[richyrich7]

Salvage yard   nice and cheap, I bought some old decking boards for mine at a silly price £1 for 8' length all treated, loads of cheap stuff in them places 

Trouble is Richy trying to find a good yard to start with!  (never found one in Liverpool / lancashire area

we must be lucky in Leicester then I can think of 2 

[Alfie]

Salvage yard   nice and cheap, I bought some old decking boards for mine at a silly price £1 for 8' length all treated, loads of cheap stuff in them places 

Trouble is Richy trying to find a good yard to start with!  (never found one in Liverpool / lancashire area

Hi, try Deeside Sawmills ... if you need the number PM me.

[Rangerkris]

I popped in to see the girl at the local scaffolding company this morning and i had a phone call back this afternoon saying there is some timber waiting for me to go and pick up tomorrow.  How cool is that   

I also managed to get a small green house today from works sales and wants forum its only small by the sound of things and may have one broken pane of glass but its free and will help me out no end.

[DannyBoy230]

Scoffold boards are what I found to be the best for mine - found eight lengths just laying around outside the netting of a construction site....!!!

Thank you builders!