Telegraph covers 'Best Easter DIY Bargains'

DIY chains and garden centres are braced for record business: here are some of the best-buys. Sunny weather, a rapidly recovering housing market and the Easter weekend can only mean one thing: a frenzy of DIY and gardening – and all the shopping that goes with it. Collectively, we’ll buy 10million plants, a million bags of compost and 20,000 barbecues – and that’s just in B&Q, according to estimates by that chain.

Barclaycard, the credit card company, calculates that garden centre shopping is up by 22pc on last year, with DIY shopping also higher. It puts this down to a surge in house purchases – transactions are up by 25pc on spring 2013 – coupled with sunny weather and a more confident economic outlook.

Other firms agree. Research by Santander suggests that one in six adults will undertake some form of DIY work this weekend.

The big DIY chains, such as B&Q and Homebase, are keen to cash in. But so are the supermarkets, as this round-up of discounted DIY deals shows.

Sainsbury's
Nectar card holders can spend their points at Homebase, meaning that the rewards you earn when shopping at Sainsbury's can help you save on DIY and garden supplies.

Tesco
Tesco Clubcard customers who are keen to get planting can take advantage of various gardening offers. The supermarket is giving card holders the chance to buy annual membership to Dobbies "Garden Club", for just £4 worth of Clubcard vouchers. This is down from an original price of £10. Members can then save 10pc on plants at the garden centres throughout the year, as well as collecting reward points to exchange for vouchers. Garden Club members are also invited to take advantage of exclusive shopping events, and to enjoy free tea and coffee at their garden centres each month. Clubcard customers can also exchange £5 worth of clubcard vouchers for a £15 voucher at Thompson & Morgan or Van Meuwen garden centres. These can be spent on a variety of flowers, or fruit and veg pots.

Argos
Argos is also offering customers considerable reductions in the prices of garden furniture. For example, the Madison 8 Seater Dressed Patio Set; previously £669.98, is now available for £402.48 with express delivery.

Homebase
As well as being able to spend Nectar points in-store, customers can also make savings on garden furniture at Homebase. The Rimini 4 Seater Garden Furniture Set, for example, is £299, down from £499.

Furniture Village
An alternative for saving on outdoor furniture could be Furniture Village. Its full range is reduced, and it is offering a free parasol with every garden dining set. The Aintree 4 Seat Round Dining Set is reduced from £899 to £669.

Very
Online-only store Very is also offering reductions on much of its garden furniture. The Hawaii 8-Piece Dining Set, which was £219, is now £189. New customers to the site can save 10pc when ordering certain products on credit by entering the code 439CT at the checkout.

B&Q
B&Q is offering three Dulux paints for the price of two. Homebase and Wickes are offering the same deal, so comparing stores’ offers could shave pounds off the final checkout price. B&Q is offering 20pc off all paving and decking, with prices ranging from 30p to £628.56 for paving, and £3.42 to £78.80 for deck boards.

Save 25pc on all floor and wall tiles at the DIY superstore. Prices range from £1.48 to £52.92 each for floor tiles, and from 73p to £44.64 per tile for walls. It is also currently offers free delivery on all online orders exceeding £50.

Wickes
Wickes is cutting 25pc off the cost of its decking,with prices ranging from £5.23 to £9.81. Prices of decorative switches and sockets have been reduced by 25pc. Prices start at £3.74 for blanking plates, and go up to £22.49 for cooker switches and sockets.

By Sophie Christie & Hannah Kings