build.com

Overview

Build.com, Inc. (commonly “Build.com”) is an American e-commerce company specialising in home improvement products. (Bloomberg) Founded around the year 2000 in Chico, California. (Tracxn) Its core offering covers plumbing fixtures, lighting, door hardware, HVAC components, and related categories. (Bloomberg)

The company positions itself as an “online-only” home improvement retailer (i.e., no traditional brick-and-mortar stores), which distinguishes it from many legacy big box retailers. (Rithum)

History & Development

  • Build.com was founded in 2000 by Christian Friedland and David Boctor. (Tracxn)

  • Over time it built a large product catalogue — at one point offering “over 700,000 brand-name products” across home improvement categories. (Rithum)

  • It was recognised as an “Internet Retailer Top 100” company and the largest home-improvement specialist without physical showrooms. (Rithum)

  • More recently, in March 2025, it was announced that Ferguson Enterprises (via its showroom network) would integrate Build.com’s e-commerce platform under a unified brand (Ferguson Home) combining online and showroom experiences. (Digital Commerce 360)

Business Model & Strategy

Online-first retail

Build.com’s business is predominantly online. It curates large inventories of fixtures and fittings and sells directly to homeowners, contractors, and professionals. Because it doesn’t rely on showrooms in every local market, it leverages scale and logistics.

Product breadth

Its catalogue is broad: plumbing, lighting, hardware, heating & cooling, doors & gates, built-in appliances, etc. (Rithum) This breadth allows it to serve many parts of a home renovation or construction project.

Niche-site network

At one phase, Build.com operated a network of specialised websites each focused on a category (e.g., lighting, plumbing) to better target search traffic and specialised buyers. (Rithum) This is more sophisticated than a one-size-fits‐all storefront: it captures buyers who know they want, say, “bathroom faucets” vs. just “home improvement.”

Fulfilment & logistics

The company emphasises online fulfilment, shipping to customers rather than relying on “go to the store” purchases. Customer-service and availability are core to its value proposition. For example, review sites note that Build.com is a legitimate retailer with good selection. (ConsumerAffairs)

Integration with offline network

With the merger into Ferguson’s strategy, Build.com’s platform is being folded into a hybrid model where online sales tie into showroom consults and local support. The March 2025 integration announcement demonstrates this shift: showroom network (250+ locations) plus online ease. (Digital Commerce 360)

Market Position & Competitive Landscape

Build.com sits in a competitive arena: major home-improvement chains (with physical stores), specialist e-tailers, and big-box online sellers. Its advantage is the online-only (or heavily online) model, product breadth, and depth for home improvement.

It claims to be the largest U.S. home-improvement retailer without brick-and-mortar stores. (Rithum) That gives it a scale advantage in online fulfilment and selection—though it also faces supply chain and logistics challenges typical of large e-commerce operations.

Also, by aligning with Ferguson, Build.com gains access to physical presence and professional trade channels, which could strengthen its position against omnichannel competitors.

Strengths & Opportunities

  • Broad catalogue: Covers many categories and brands.

  • Online focus: Good for customers who prefer browsing and buying online, especially for fixtures which can be shipped.

  • Specialised sites: Category-specific microsites help target buyers with intent.

  • Partnership with offline: Integration with showroom/consult model brings “online plus in-person” hybrid which many consumers want for home improvement.

  • Strong legitimacy: Review sources confirm it as a legitimate store. (ConsumerAffairs)

Challenges & Risks

  • Logistics & shipping: Large items, installation hardware, returns—these are more complex than basic e-tail.

  • Physical experience: Many customers for home improvement still want to see/touch fixtures in person. Online-only can limit that unless the showroom integration works cleanly.

  • Competition from big players: Companies like The Home Depot, Inc. and Lowe’s Companies, Inc. have strong physical & digital presence. Competing on price, selection, logistics.

  • Market conditions: Home-improvement spending can be cyclical and sensitive to housing market, consumer confidence, interest rates.

  • Brand transition risks: With the shift to the “Ferguson Home” brand, there is risk of customer confusion or loss of brand identity built under “Build.com.”

Recent Development: Brand Consolidation

In March 2025, Digital Commerce 360 reported that Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery and Build.com would consolidate under the single brand “Ferguson Home.” (Digital Commerce 360) The aim is to create seamless experience for both trade professionals and homeowners: online research + showroom visit + professional support. This marks an important strategic shift: from purely online retailer to hybrid model. The transition initially keeps Build.com active for six months to ensure smooth migration.

Customer & Review Notes

From consumer-review sources: Build.com has generally positive credibility as an online retailer. The site offers large product selection and many review/commenters say it is legitimate. (ConsumerAffairs) On the employer side (as a company), Glassdoor reviews rate it about 3.7/5, with 69% of employees saying they would recommend it to a friend. (Glassdoor)

Summary

Build.com is a major player in online home improvement retail, with a broad product set, strong online presence, and a distinctive niche as an online-only (or primarily online) specialist. Its recent move into brand consolidation with Ferguson Home signals a strategic evolution toward an omnichannel experience, blending online convenience with physical showrooms and professional support.

Key Takeaways

  • Founded ~2000 in California; focused on home improvement e-commerce.

  • Offers plumbing, lighting, hardware, HVAC, and other products.

  • Operated as the largest U.S. home improvement retailer without brick-and-mortar stores.

  • Recently merged brand identity with Ferguson Home to combine online and showroom experience.

  • Strengths: strong catalogue, online specialist. Risks: logistics, competition, brand transition, market cycles.

  • Consumers generally regard it as legitimate; employees rate workplace average.

FAQ

Q: Is Build.com legitimate to buy from?
Yes — multiple review platforms confirm that Build.com is a legitimate e-commerce retailer for home improvement products. (ConsumerAffairs)

Q: Where are Build.com’s physical stores?
Traditionally, Build.com has operated online only, without its own chain of physical retail stores. (Rithum) With the recent merger into the Ferguson Home brand, customers may see integration with showroom networks via Ferguson. (Digital Commerce 360)

Q: What kinds of products are available on Build.com?
Products include brand-name fixtures for bathrooms and kitchens (faucets, sinks, showers), lighting, door and gate hardware, HVAC components, and other home renovation items. (CB Insights)

Q: How does Build.com compare to big box stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s?
Build.com’s advantage is online focus and product depth in fixtures and hardware. Big box stores offer physical presence, in-store pickup, broad home-improvement categories (including lumber, full-scale materials, tools, etc.). Depending on the project, some customers prefer seeing items in person which big box stores facilitate. Build.com’s integration into showroom networks via Ferguson may bridge that gap.

Q: What is the future direction of Build.com?
The brand consolidation with Ferguson Home suggests a move toward omnichannel: combining online retail strength with showroom and professional trade services. This could mean more installation support, local showrooms, better online-to-offline integration. (Digital Commerce 360)

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