DIY and Garden Centre Discounts for Over-60s

Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.

The famous DIY-store discount days for over-60s have largely disappeared, but there are still savings to be had: free loyalty clubs at garden centres, local independents with a pensioners' day, end-of-season clearances, and help with home repairs that you may not have to pay for at all.

What happened to the big DIY discount days?

Many readers remember B&Q's Diamond Card, which gave over-60s 10% off on Wednesdays. Press reports from September 2018 said B&Q stopped accepting new Diamond Card members at that point, while people who already held a card could go on using it. We could not find a current page on B&Q's own website confirming the position today, so:

if you still have a Diamond Card, ask in store whether it is still honoured;
if you do not, assume there is no age discount, and ask about the free loyalty club instead.

We could not confirm an over-60s discount at any of the other national DIY chains on their own websites, so we have not listed one. If you see such a claim online, check the date and ask in store before making a trip.

Tip: most national DIY and garden chains now run a free loyalty club that sends vouchers or gives members' prices. Joining takes a few minutes at the customer service desk or online, and the vouchers can be worth as much as the old age discounts were.

Garden centres

Garden centres are where older shoppers are most likely to find something aimed at them:

Free loyalty or "garden club" cards giving points, vouchers through the post and members' prices on plants.
Café offers on quieter weekdays, sometimes specifically for over-60s.
Discount days at independent garden centres and nurseries. These are local, so ask at the till or look for a sign by the entrance.

We have not named individual chains because we could not confirm their current offers on their own sites. Ask at the centre you use.

Independent hardware shops and builders' merchants

A good local hardware shop will often sell you the three screws you need rather than a box of fifty, give advice for free, and knock something off for a regular customer. It is always worth asking whether there is a pensioners' discount or a discount day.

Builders' merchants and timber yards mainly serve the trade but most will sell to the public. Prices are sometimes negotiable for larger orders; our haggling guide explains how to ask.

Saving money without an age discount

Buy at the right time

Garden furniture, barbecues and lawnmowers are usually cheapest from late summer into autumn.
Spring bulbs are reduced once the main planting season is passing; many will still flower if planted late.
Paint and decorating materials are commonly on promotion around bank holidays.
Plants on the "reduced" bench often only need watering and a little patience.

Our seasonal sales calendar lists the best months for each type of purchase.

Borrow, hire or buy second-hand

For a tool you will use once, hiring is far cheaper than buying. Some towns have a "library of things" or tool library where you can borrow equipment for a small fee. Good hand tools last decades, so second-hand is a sensible option too: see charity shops and second-hand.

Free plants and compost

Gardening clubs, allotment societies and plant swaps are a source of free or very cheap plants and of friendly advice. Some councils sell or give away compost made from garden waste collections; check your council's website.

Help with repairs and adaptations

Before paying for work on your home, check whether help is available:

Handyperson schemes. Many councils, housing associations and local Age UK branches run low-cost or free services for older residents covering small jobs such as fitting grab rails, changing light bulbs or fixing a loose stair carpet. Find your nearest through Age UK or your council.
Home adaptations. If you need changes to stay safe at home, ask your council's adult social care team for an assessment by an occupational therapist. Small aids and minor adaptations may be provided without charge, depending on where you live.
VAT relief. Some equipment and adaptations for people with a long-term illness or disability can be bought without VAT. See VAT relief on mobility aids.

Watch out: never agree to repairs offered by someone who knocks on your door saying they "noticed a loose tile" or "have materials left over". Get written quotes from traders you have chosen yourself. Our guide to doorstep selling rights explains your cancellation rights.

Making gardening and DIY easier

If bending, gripping or lifting has become harder, the right equipment makes a real difference. Our guide to garden tools for older gardeners covers long-handled and lightweight tools, kneelers and raised beds. For jobs involving ladders, think carefully about whether to do them yourself: see preventing falls at home.

How to claim and what ID to take

Ask at the customer service desk whether there is an over-60s discount, a discount day or a loyalty club.
Carry proof of age: a bus pass, driving licence or Senior Railcard.
If you have an old store discount card, take it with you and ask whether it still works.
Ask about delivery charges for heavy items such as compost and paving, and whether there is a minimum order for free delivery.

Common questions

Does B&Q still give over-60s 10% off on Wednesdays?

Press reports say the Diamond Card closed to new members in September 2018 but continued for existing holders. We could not confirm the current position on B&Q's own website, so ask in store.

Do garden centres give discounts to over-60s?

Some independents do, usually on a set day. Most chains rely on free loyalty clubs instead. Ask at your local centre.

Can I get help paying for essential home repairs?

Possibly. Contact your council and your local Age UK about handyperson services and home improvement help, and use our benefits checklist to make sure you are claiming everything you can.

Where are the other discounts?

See the main over-60s discounts guide.