Ochtend Flits

Hornbach is a German DIY and building materials chain with around 15 stores in the Netherlands. It is not as numerous as Gamma or Karwei, but where it exists, it tends to be the largest and often cheapest option for major projects.

What makes it different

Scale: Hornbach stores are significantly larger than the average Gamma or Karwei. The range is deeper, particularly for structural materials, plumbing, and professional-grade tools.

Price: For larger purchases — timber by the cubic metre, tiles by the pallet, paint in bulk — Hornbach is often cheaper. The business model is higher volume, lower margin.

Professional lean: More contractors and serious renovators shop at Hornbach than at the lifestyle-oriented Karwei. The range reflects this — more technical depth, less interior decoration showroom.

What's in it

• Full range of building materials — timber, insulation, concrete products, roofing
• Plumbing and heating supplies
• Electrical supplies
• Tools — broad range including professional-grade equipment
• Paint, flooring, tiles
• Kitchen and bathroom fittings
• Garden — large outdoor section at most branches
• A restaurant in larger stores — something Gamma and Karwei rarely offer; Hornbach draws the kind of customer who plans to spend a few hours

Practical notes

• Stores are typically on retail parks outside city centres — you need a car.
• The zaagservice (timber cutting) is available, as at Gamma and Karwei.
• Website stock check is reliable and useful — the range is so large that not everything is at every branch.
• Prices are shown including and excluding VAT (met/ex BTW) because part of the customer base is businesses reclaiming VAT.
• If you are doing a large renovation and buying in volume, compare Hornbach prices first.