Dry mixes and building chemicals: how to buy well, with delivery
First decide what the mix is for
The same “putty” can be a base coat or a finishing coat, for dry rooms or for a bathroom. Tile adhesive differs too: for ceramic on a wall, for large-format porcelain 600×1200, for underfloor heating or a facade. So the seller needs to know not only the name but also the base, the place (inside or outside) and the thickness of the layer.
If you are not sure what you need, describe the job in words: “level a concrete floor for laminate, difference up to 3 cm”. Sellers will suggest products, and you can compare.
How ordering through BlaBlaPrice works
You don't phone round depots and shops: you write one request, and building material sellers in your region reply in the chat with a price, terms and delivery. It is free for the buyer. Before it is shown, the request is checked and you are told what is missing. Sellers see where their offer ranks and compete on terms, so the price per bag and the delivery cost often come out better. Contacts are opened only to the one you choose. Details are on the “How it works” page.
What to put in your request
- What you need — tile adhesive, plaster, putty, screed, self-levelling compound, primer, grout, foam, sealant, waterproofing.
- Brand and product — if you have one in mind, or “an equivalent that is no worse”.
- Quantity — bags and the weight of a bag (for example 20 kg or 25 kg), or tonnes.
- What work it is for — the base, interior or exterior work, tile format, underfloor heating, machine application.
- Delivery and carrying up — unloading, the floor, whether there is a lift.
- Site address and timing.
- Budget, if you want to name one.
Example: “I need 40 bags of adhesive for 600×1200 mm porcelain tiles on a floor, 20 kg bags, or an equivalent. Delivery to Johannesburg, unloading to the 3rd floor with no lift, needed by Wednesday.”
How to compare offers
The price per bag tells you little if the bag weights differ: 20 kg against 25 kg means a different price per kilogram. Work out the cost per square metre, taking into account how much mix is used per 1 mm of layer, which the manufacturer states on the pack. Ask whether there is a production date and a shelf life: mixes sit long in depots and fear damp. Check that the bags are intact and were stored under a roof.
Ask separately about delivery, carrying up to a floor and whether there is a discount for a large quantity. It is often better value to take everything in one order: primer, adhesive and grout from one seller.
Common mistakes
People buy adhesive “by eye” with no margin, and then can't find the same batch: the shade of grout and its properties can differ from batch to batch. Take a small margin, and you can return the rest by agreement with the seller. Another mistake is to mix brands: the primer and the mix must suit each other.
For cladding, look also at finishing and cladding materials, and look for paints and varnishes in the “Paints & varnishes” section.
