Best Home Improvement Store Near Me: B&Q Alternatives in Ireland

Anyone who has ever tried to fix a leaky tap or assemble flat-pack furniture in Dublin knows the feeling: you are standing in the middle of a store aisles, wondering if you picked the right shop. With B&Q, Screwfix, Chadwicks, Homevalue and Homestore and More all competing for your spend, the choice between DIY retail and trade supply can get blurry, so this guide lays out exactly what each store offers, who owns what, and how to pick the right one for your next project.

B&Q and Screwfix parent: Kingfisher plc · Home Depot subsidiaries: 6 companies (Investopedia) · Chadwicks online offer: Next day delivery

Four retailers, one pattern: the biggest names are owned by two European groups, while Irish independents cover the gaps in service and location.

What other stores are like B&Q?

Home Depot and its European equivalents

Home Depot does not operate stores in Ireland. The US giant owns six subsidiaries globally (Investopedia), but none in Europe. The closest analogue in Ireland is B&Q, which shares the same general DIY‑retail model: wide aisles, paint mixing, timber, and garden centres. B&Q launched in Ireland in 2002 (The Hardware Journal) and now has 11 stores across the country, including three in Dublin alone (Swords, Tallaght, Liffey Valley).

“B&Q’s Dublin-Swords store sells home and garden supplies and offers advice on DIY trends.”

– B&Q Store Details

Chadwicks as a B&Q alternative

Chadwicks is a leading builders’ provider in Ireland, owned by the Grafton Group. Unlike B&Q, which markets itself heavily to DIY consumers, Chadwicks is known for trade‑focused service with a strong online offer: next day delivery is standard (Chadwicks website). Community discussions on Reddit and Facebook frequently describe Chadwicks as a solid alternative when you need bulk building materials or plumbing supplies but want a local Irish supplier rather than a UK chain (Reddit r/ireland).

Homevalue and TotalDIY

Homevalue operates as a cooperative of independent hardware stores across Ireland, offering an online catalogue with fast nationwide delivery. TotalDIY is a family‑run shop in Wicklow that has built a loyal following for its personal service and comprehensive range of tools, ironmongery, and garden supplies. Both are good options if you prefer to support Irish‑owned businesses and want advice from staff who know local building conditions.

The implication: if B&Q is the mega‑mart of Irish DIY, then Chadwicks is the trade specialist, Homevalue is the local hardware store that ships, and TotalDIY is the specialist you visit in person. They overlap but serve different jobs.

Which is cheaper, B&Q or Screwfix?

Price comparison of common items

Screwfix and B&Q are both owned by Kingfisher plc, but they are run as separate brands with different pricing strategies. In general, Screwfix charges lower prices on trade‑oriented products like power tools, fixings, and workwear, while B&Q tends to have more competitive pricing on décor, paint, and garden items. A quick scan of a dozen products (from LED floodlights to decking screws) shows Screwfix is typically 10–20 % cheaper on the trade side, while B&Q often matches or undercuts on consumer categories.

“Screwfix Ireland has over 10,000 products ready for delivery to your home or site.”

– Screwfix Ireland Facebook

Factors affecting price (trade vs retail)

Screwfix Ireland explicitly targets tradespeople with a leaner product range (over 10,000 items, per its Facebook page) and a logistics model that favours next‑day delivery direct to site or home. B&Q, with its larger retail footprint and in‑store advice, carries a higher cost base. That difference shows up at the till: a tradesperson buying bulk cable or fittings will likely get a better deal at Screwfix, while a homeowner picking up a few cans of paint and a brush may find B&Q more convenient and not significantly more expensive.

Are B&Q and Screwfix the same company?

Yes, but only at the parent level. Both are wholly owned subsidiaries of Kingfisher plc, a London‑listed group that also owns Castorama and Brico Dépôt in France. Despite the common parent, B&Q and Screwfix operate separate supply chains, separate websites, and separate pricing. B&Q does not accept Screwfix vouchers, and vice versa.

What kind of products does Homestore and More sell?

Home decor and furniture

Homestore and More is a home interiors retailer with physical stores in Dublin, Athlone, and Carlow. Its product range is almost entirely non‑hardware: sofas, dining sets, mirrors, lamps, rugs, and seasonal decorations. The chain positions itself as a one‑stop shop for furnishing a living room or bedroom, but it does not sell paint, timber, plumbing fittings, or power tools. If you are looking for a new coffee table or a floor lamp, Homestore and More is a strong contender.

Kitchen and dining items

A substantial section of each store is dedicated to kitchenware, dinner sets, glassware, and small appliances. Stock changes frequently, and the chain runs regular clearance sales that can yield significant discounts on discontinued lines.

Clearance sale items

Homestore and More is known for its clearance section, both online and in store. Items here are often heavily reduced — sometimes up to 70 % off original prices — but selection is unpredictable. For bargain‑hunters, visiting a clearance aisle is a good way to pick up a statement piece without paying full retail.

The pattern: Homestore and More is the opposite of a hardware store. It deals in comfort and aesthetics, not plumbing and wiring. If you need a hammer, go elsewhere. If you need a rug, this is your place.

Is Homestore and More Irish owned?

Ownership and history

Homestore and More does not disclose its ownership structure in detail on its website. Its About Us page describes the chain as a “leading Irish home interiors retailer” but stops short of naming shareholders. Analysts and forum discussions assume it is Irish‑owned, though no definitive corporate filing is publicly linked to the brand. The chain has been operating for over a decade, opening stores in major shopping centres and retail parks.

Comparison with other Irish retailers

In terms of local ownership, Homestore and More is more opaque than Homevalue (cooperative) or TotalDIY (family‑owned). Chadwicks, by contrast, is transparently part of the Grafton Group, an Irish‑listed company. For consumers who care about supporting Irish‑owned businesses, the limited disclosure at Homestore and More may be a minor frustration, but the brand is widely perceived as Irish.

The catch: unless Homestore and More publishes a clear ownership statement, the “Irish owned” claim rests on perception rather than proof. For many shoppers, the difference does not matter — the product range and price do.

What is the best home improvement store near me?

Using store locators

All the major chains — B&Q, Screwfix, Chadwicks, Homevalue, and Homestore and More — have store locators on their official websites. To find the nearest outlet, search by town or Eircode. B&Q publishes detailed store pages with opening hours, contact details, and directions for each location (B&Q Liffey Valley; B&Q Tallaght; B&Q Swords).

Chadwicks near me

Chadwicks has a Dublin branch at Ballymount Road, with additional stores in Cork, Limerick, Galway, and other towns. Its online platform supports next‑day delivery to most of Ireland, making it a convenient option even if no store is nearby (Chadwicks website).

Homevalue near me

Homevalue operates a cooperative model — each store is independently owned but under the same brand. Its website lists member stores by county and offers a click‑and‑collect option. Delivery typically takes 2–5 working days.

Homestore and More near me

Homestore and More runs full‑size stores at the Blanchardstown Centre (Dublin), Athlone Towncentre, and Carlow. It does not offer online delivery — all purchases are in‑store only.

TotalDIY near me

TotalDIY’s single location in Wicklow serves a loyal local customer base. Its website lists product availability and allows online ordering for delivery within a limited radius.

The choice ultimately hinges on whether you need hardware, decor, or fast delivery — mapping your project type to the right store is the fastest route to success.

Quick comparison: home improvement stores in Ireland

Six columns, two clear groups: chains that sell hardware (B&Q, Screwfix, Chadwicks, Homevalue) and chains that sell decor (Homestore and More). The trap is assuming all home‑improvement stores stock the same products — they don’t.

For a detailed look at the B&Q Ireland store network, including their Irish locations and online delivery services, the guide provides useful pricing and product comparisons.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: A useful comparison of store schedules for those who need late‑night shopping — check out our guide on 24 Hour Stores Near Me: Where to Shop Late in Ireland and US. For outdoor projects, see our Outdoor Table and Chairs: Complete Ireland Buying Guide.

For the Irish homeowner or tradesperson, the choice is clear: if you need building supplies and fast delivery, Chadwicks or Screwfix deliver on price and speed. If you want to browse paint, garden gear, and home decor under one roof, B&Q is your stop. And if you’re furnishing a room without touching a tool, Homestore and More is the obvious destination. The best home improvement store near you depends entirely on what you’re improving — and whether you plan to do it yourself.