Bunnings has been rated Australia’s preferred hardware store for overall customer satisfaction for the third year running.

A survey of 2500 respondents conducted by Canstar Blue shows Aussies love a trip to the hardware store, with 60 per cent saying they usually spend much more than they planned.

Respondents were asked to rate their favourite hardware store across a range of research criteria and only Bunnings achieved a five star rating for overall customer satisfaction.

Bunnings and Masters both earned top marks from consumers with regards to value for money, while Home Timber and Hardware was the only retailer to achieve a five star rating for service and advice.

Just over half (53 per cent) of the adults questioned said they turn to the experts at their hardware store for DIY advice.

“The older you are, the more likely you are to enjoy an outing to your local hardware store,” said Canstar Blue spokesman, Simon Downes.

“Interestingly, more women than men are tempted to spend more than they had planned to. Women are also more likely to ask for DIY advice.

“Not everyone is a DIY expert, so many consumers want great service and advice. For most people, a trip to their favourite hardware store is an enjoyable experience, but they still want to feel like they’re getting good value for money.

“With three out of five usually spending more than they were expecting to, it suggests many consumers end up leaving the store with extra items that caught their eye along the way – a strong indicator that there are bargains to be had.”