How to find the best electrical wholesalers for your trade business

As an electrician, you need to be able to get your hands on the best electrical supplies. The right electrical supplier can help you source difficult-to-find items, offer important advice, and ensure you have the correct products.

But how do you find the best electrical wholesalers and the best electrical supplies that are right for you?

We’ve teamed up with our partner, Selco, to break down what you should look for in a good electrical wholesaler.

Cheap electrical supplies

First, you’ll want to look for an electrical wholesaler that’s competitive on price, as nobody likes paying more than necessary.

Choosing a discount wholesaler can maximise your income, however it’s important not to just go for the cheapest electrical wholesaler.

While it’s tempting to choose the cheapest electrical wholesaler, opt for suppliers with the best electrical supplies at competitive prices.

What are the offers?

Many wholesalers also offer discounts for those who order bulk trade electrical supplies or for loyal customers.

For this reason, choosing a trusted electrical supplier is a great way to get cheap supplies long term.

If you’re not sure what are the best supplies to keep in your kit, why not head over to our blog on the best tools for electricians? Alternatively, we’ve also covered what we think are the best tool bags for electricians when thinking about storage.

Product availability

Good product availability will minimise your downtime on jobs, allowing you to provide homeowners with a great customer experience. After all, there’s nothing worse than a job being delayed because you’re waiting for one small part!

While electrical wholesalers are great at ordering those difficult-to-find items, they won’t usually have all trade electrical supplies in stock.

Large or online electrical wholesalers are likely to have more stock, and a greater range of products available at short-notice.

This could mean a faster turnaround, especially for more unusual items. This brings us onto…

Online electrical wholesalers

Electrical wholesalers online usually have a large range of products available, which can mean more choice and a faster turnaround.

Typically, online electrical wholesalers offer a range of convenient delivery options. These include the option to place orders to be delivered to site, or to be collected from a local branch.

This means electricians may not have to visit their wholesalers at all, perfect if you have a busy day ahead.

The option to deliver to site can also be a godsend if you’re ordering bulky, difficult to transport items. It’s also great if you’re already on-site and forgot to pick up a smaller item from your wholesaler.

Local electrical wholesalers

If you want your electrical wholesaler to get to know you properly, you might favour a local wholesaler. They’ll often have a small team that will offer you personal advise based on your particular job.

The only difficulty you may come across is that smaller local electrical wholesalers won’t necessarily have as much stock in-store. So, depending on what item you’re after, this could mean a bit of a wait.

It’s great news that local electrical wholesalers are now adding online ordering facilities, giving electricians the best of both worlds.

Brands of electrical goods that wholesalers stock

Once you’ve enjoyed using a particular product, the chances are you’ll go back and use it again and again.

That’s because you now trust the brand, but also because you know how to install the product. This will save you both time and money!

• It’s important to choose an electrical wholesaler that stocks the brands and trade electrical supplies you trust
• This might mean you need to use a few electrical wholesalers
• The chances are that one wholesaler won’t stock all the products you enjoy using

However, larger wholesalers will often stock a range of similar brands, which could make your life easier.

Finding the best electrical wholesalers for my business

So, how do you know which electrical wholesaler is right for your business?

Well, every electrician is different. However, you’ll likely want to look for a combination of:

• Competitive pricing
• Good product availability
• Fast turnarounds
• Convenient delivery or pickup options
• Personal service
• Brands stocked

Ultimately, the best electrical wholesaler for your business will be the one that offers the best balance of these factors. But remember: you don’t necessarily need to choose just one!

Many electricians have accounts with multiple electrical wholesalers and flit between them depending on what they need in the moment.

For instance, you might have a small local electrical wholesaler that you like to go to for advice. Then, you might use a larger online electrical wholesaler that you favour when ordering unusual items in a timely manner.

Get more for your business with Checkatrade

Looking for a wholesaler that stocks hundreds of trade electrical supplies and brands you know and trust, at great prices?

Checkatrade members get exclusive discounts with our partner, Selco. With Selco you’ll get your hands on the same quality products for a fraction of the cost!

Our exclusive Selco rates will save you money on tools and materials, (discounts can be used both in-store and online). This perk is great for smaller businesses who might struggle to bulk buy.

Our membership offering

There’s plenty of other benefits you’ll get if you join Checkatrade, including:

• Offers on insurance
• Cheaper workwear
• Subsidised training costs
• Discounted tools
• Savings on equipment
• Business supplies

Whether you’re experienced in your trade, or just starting out, here at Checkatrade we have advice for all levels. For example, if you’re just starting out in business, have you thought about electrical company name ideas to spark your interest?

Interested in signing up? Speak with our team to learn more about the process and join Checkatrade today.

FAQs

Who are the best electrical wholesalers?

The best electrical wholesalers will generally offer competitive prices, good product availability, and fast turnarounds.

They’ll also offer convenient delivery options and a good range of products by trusted brands.

Many electricians also favour electrical wholesalers that are able to offer a personal service.

Content disclaimer: This content has been created for general information purposes and should not be taken as formal advice. Read our full disclaimer here.