Home Depot vs Lowes! A Contractors Opinion

We all know Home Depot and Lowes! They are America's largest home supply businesses. Here I give you my opinon on both and why i usually choose one over the other.

Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.

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[MillisConstruction]

Lowes has some Knipex in the electrical section too now which is nice.

[indygeo]

There's both a Lowe's and a Menards in my town, but no Home Depot. I'll often see more contractors at Menards than I do at Lowe's.

[bmac]

As a part time handyman home depot is the winner. I could never figure out the pro account with Lowe’s and HD was simple. I use Menards as a last resort their only pro is being able to load lumber straight to my truck as opposed to the cart then the truck.

[tradingfundamentals]

Watching this video made me realize how they are such a strong duopoly! It's probably better to buy them both. I just did a stock analysis video comparing the two with a clear winner in today's market.

[jkh]

My opinion- Lowes has way better customer service, parking for "pros". I agree on lowes having more selection of homeowner type stuff, such as shower heads, they have a whole isle of nothing but shower heads. Homedepot offers "pros" sodas as well as water while lowes only offers water. I buy my tools at home depot and everything else at lowes. Lowes app and website are way better, home depots website will have 13 pages for a specific search and by the time I get to page 3-4 it will start repeating previous pages. Home depots organization sucks and its hard to find what I need, meanwhile I can walk into lowes and go directly to what I need even though I frequent both regularly. I would much rather order online from Lowes than HD. Home depot where I live has covered parking while Lowes does not (doesnt make me any difference)

[___g]

Thanks for giving this insight.

Most channels I see talking about HD vs Lowe’s has been about stock prices, dividends, etc.
These channels mentioned that contractors make up 40-45% of HD revenue, while Lowe’s is around 20%.

You being a contractor and basically saying “I’ll go to whatever’s closer” is on par with what I assumed most consumers (DIY) do.
I didn’t know that Lowe’s had trailer parking, nor did I know that they have an uncapped veteran discount versus Home Depot.

Something you said that may just be regional (for both of us) is that the wood is the same. Everything else I’ve seen online and from speaking with folks in the industry say Home Depot has better and more consistent lumber selections.
For certain areas - especially those with more stringent Building Departments - quality lumber can be the different between an Approved or Disapproved permit called in, which may mean eating a cost and/or an uncomfortable discussion with the GC.

As far as the online portion goes, I’m just a consumer born into the age of the internet:
When I go to a retailer, I don’t want to talk to anyone or ask anyone for help.
HD is very consistent with their online in this aspect. I look up an item, it says Aisle HERE Bay THERE and how many are in stock.
Lowe’s, on the other hand, is almost never consistent with their inventory. They either have less of what the item or it’s not even in stock.
Lowe’s feels like they’ve tricked me into the store and HD feels a bit more upfront about what they’ve got.
Also, at least on the websites, HD will text you the information on where an item is, Lowe’s does not offer this option.

For the cellular service: thanks for that. I had never noticed in either place because I generally either have the item text to me or screenshot the items I’m looking for before I go in. It sounds like both (although HD specifically) would greatly benefit from in store wifi; just restrict it to the respective apps/websites. Seems like a win for both parties to me.

I have been to Menard’s as a child and the only thing I remember is being told we were going to buy lumber because some of the slats for the porch needed to be replaced but also ended up getting salmon and ice pops.
Weird ass place.

[bennytorres]

As far as the cell phone reception I agree with you, sometimes it works better if you change your phone from Wi-Fi to cell data

[johnsandlinjr]

He touched on an important thing. I’ve found the algorithm on Home Depot’s app to be spot on. Lowes app is hit or miss on what you search. 9 times out of 10 I’m there for 3 very specific things. So the search function is very important to me.

[anthonylandc]

Home depot got the flex volt contract and lowes got the 12volt extreme contract its pretty much so they don't have to price match

[thomasjml]

For whatever reason the TTI reps at my local HD are all extremely attractive women.

[boogiehara]

Lowes version of HD flex volt is called Dewalt power detect.

[garycasper]

You're completely misunderstanding Menards.. It is awesome.! & Would completely drive past a HD to get to a Menards. M is for BIG projects. They don't have that many big carts in the store.... Because, if you're there to buy lumber, you just drive around back & purchase it at the counter. Your truck & trailer is already there to load it up. The people at the back desk are super informative and get you going with ease. The milk/water/toiletries are geared for your crew. It's to get them the staples so they don't have to leave the job site to go grab lunch / dinner. HD is a constant ship show. Everything is out of sorts or out of stock. Every time I have to go to one I cringe.. Always one giant scavenger hunt to find what ever I came in there for. Super waste of time. The only thing they have going for them is that there is always one around the corner. Plus, there tools....!!! Lowe's just simply rocks. They constantly have tool clearance stuff/ everyone is super nice and helpful/ & everything is usually in stock, plus the product is usually where it's supposed to be. Menards has the 11% off sales and Lowe's takes it out of the park for our Vet's..! 👍

[jefferylorance]

One reason Lowes will never have a ice machines…they treated as a nuisance..not about customer service…go to Homedepot anytime and you will find a ice machines.

[cdd]

You should definitely start charging extra for both Lowe’s and home depot. Their prices are 20 to 200 percent higher then same exact item you can buy online. For example look at the prices on m18 batteries, they don’t match online prices and literally you are paying for the overhead.

[sparks]

Since you have Menards in your area, Home Depot will offer the 11% rebate as well. It's way more efficient than Menards since you can do it online.

[ryanpounds]

I’ve been in Home Depot’s with good service and some with bad service. Same with Lowes. Just depends on the individual store. My local Home Depot is awesome compared to Lowes and it shows in the amount of customers they have. Depot will be slammed while Lowes will be a ghost town. Lowes seems to have more specialty items in stock but that’s all I really see any better. Home Depot also donates a lot of money to repair disabled veterans homes. Behind the seen stuff like that which is better than a camo vest in my opinion. Not that my opinion matters!😁

[sdsconstruction]

Lowes for me because of the easy Veteran's "no limit" discount and their local store arrangement and inventory. Home Depot ... for better DeWalt powertool in stock selection. Amazon almost always for power tools though. I also use our local single store Corning Building Company for all lumber and most appliances. The last 2 of 3 jobs involving cabinets came custom built from the local-"ish" Amish craftmen. The third came from ??? and it was ordered in April, supposed to be in by November but came in around March and when opened up, finishes were remarkably damaged, dented, chipped. The company would replace but at another 6 months out but ended up giving the homeowner (who did the ordering and paying-we just installed) a major discount to keep and use the damaged cabinets. So....#1 Lowes for general materials and hand tools, #2 CBC for lumber, #2 Amazon for tools #3 Home Depot for power tools and materials

[bigtomcallahaniv]

Lowes is to expensive! And their lumber in my experience is of the lowest quality possible. Sadly, do not have Menard’s where I live. I think they are great, with HD being a close second.

[edensgardenshed]

I can never find anything at home depot. Lowes flows i feel like the is lay out more intuitive. But Home Depot here has way better quality lumber.

[jefferylorance]

Both stores are only as good as their associates…both have good and not so good ones..
As a formal employee of Lowes, many of our associates were formal member of Homedepot…
Upper Mangers will visit once a year..both no longer want to talk to us or hear us…they want top down management…only