Lowe’s vs. Home Depot: Where You Should Shop As A Contractor
Table of Contents
When it comes to home improvement, two big stores stand out: Lowe’s and Home Depot. Both sell tools, materials, and services for homeowners and professionals. But which one is better in 2025?
In this guide, we’ll look at their prices, product quality, customer service, and shopping experience to help you choose the best store for your next project.
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Lowe’s vs Home Depot Overview
Before diving into specific comparisons, let’s understand what makes each retailer unique.
Brief Lowe’s Overview
Lowe’s operates over 1,700 stores across North America. Known for its design-forward selections, exclusive brands like Kobalt, and customer-focused layout, it appeals to both contractors and homeowners. Lowe’s has invested heavily in ecommerce and, according to Digital Commerce 360, now ranks #11 among North American online retailers.
Brief Home Depot Overview
Home Depot dominates the home improvement market with over 2,300 stores across North America. Its strategy focuses on volume, contractor relationships, and exclusive tool lines like Ryobi and Milwaukee. It ranks #4 in ecommerce sales and offers a strong Pro Xtra loyalty program.
Pricing and Value
For contractors watching their bottom line, pricing differences can significantly impact project profitability. Don’t assume one store is always cheaper. Compare prices on your specific materials, as pricing leadership varies by product category and region.
Which Store Offers Better Prices on Common Items
The ongoing price war between Lowe’s and Home Depot benefits contractors. Both stores constantly adjust prices to remain competitive.
Lumber: Prices are nearly identical for standard pressure-treated lumber. However, Family Handyman notes that Home Depot’s entire pressure-treated lumber inventory is rated for ground contact, while Lowe’s sells both ground-contact and non-ground-contact options.
Tools: Home Depot’s exclusive brands (Ryobi, Ridgid) often undercut Lowe’s prices, but Lowe’s Kobalt line offers competitive value.
Paint: Lowe’s Sherwin-Williams paint typically costs more than Home Depot’s Behr, but quality differences justify the price gap for many contractors.
Appliances: Lowe’s often edges out Home Depot on appliance pricing and selection.
Comparing Promotions, Discounts, and Rewards Programs
Both retailers offer loyalty programs targeting different shopping patterns.
Lowe’s MyLowe’s Pro Rewards offers three tier levels based on annual spending, 20% paint discount after spending $3,000, free shipping on eligible items, and points redeemable for future purchases.
Home Depot Pro Xtra provides three tier levels, 20% paint/stain/primer discount, preferred pricing on special orders, gift card rewards, and dedicated outside sales team for large accounts.
Military Discounts: Both stores offer 10% military discounts. Home Depot caps the annual discount at $400, while Lowe’s has no maximum limit—a significant advantage for contractors who are veterans.
Price Matching: Both stores price match competitors. Lowe’s price match policy extends to Amazon products and sometimes adds an additional 10% discount.
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Credit Card Options: Lowe’s vs Home Depot Credit Cards
Lowe’s Advantage Card offers 5% off every purchase, no annual fee, 365-day return window, and special financing promotions. This upgrades you to the second tier of MyLowe’s Pro Rewards automatically.
Home Depot Credit Card provides no annual fee, 365-day return window, special financing, and links with Pro Xtra rewards program.
The Bottom Line: Lowe’s 5% automatic discount gives it a clear edge. A contractor spending $50,000 annually saves $2,500 with the Lowe’s card versus $0 with the Home Depot card.
Use an expense report system to monitor spending and maximize savings, or leverage a receipt scanner to digitize receipts automatically.
Product Quality and Selection
Beyond price, product quality and variety can impact your project’s success. Here’s how Lowe’s and Home Depot compare across key categories like tools, paint, appliances, and more.
| Category | Lowe’s | Home Depot | Winner |
| Tools & Hardware | • Kobalt (mid-range) • Metabo HPT (pro-grade) • Craftsman • Great for finish work | • Ryobi (budget-friendly) • Ridgid (mid-range) • Husky (hand tools) • Milwaukee (pro-grade) • More DIY/tradesperson appeal (Family Handyman) | Home Depot– Stronger exclusive brands |
| Paint Brands | • Sherwin-Williams (premium) • Valspar (mid-range) • 30-day return policy • Excellent color matching | • Behr (high-value) • Glidden (budget) • Kilz primer • No returns on tinted paint | Tie – Depends on budget and job scope |
| Building Materials | • Focused on finish work • Decorative trims and specialty items | • Deep lumber inventory • Structural materials in bulk • Framing and sheathing stocked deeply | Home Depot– Better for rough builds |
| Appliances | • Wider variety of brands • More finish options • Larger displays • Great for client walkthroughs | • Improved variety, but fewer showroom displays | Lowe’s – Best selection and displays |
| Cabinets | • Project Source (budget) • Diamond NOW (mid-range) • Custom options • Strong layout and design | • Hampton Bay (budget) • Thomasville (mid-range) • Some high-end brands • Functional but basic displays | Lowe’s – More options, better visuals |
| Carpet & Flooring | • Exclusive Stainmaster carpet • Premium flooring • Design-forward selection | • Several affordable carpet brands • Strong mid-range offerings | Lowe’s – Higher-end brand access |
| Blinds & Window Treatments | • More design styles • Broader selection • Better for client-facing choices | • Mostly standard options • Functional but limited | Lowe’s – Greater variety and style |
| Plants & Garden | • Larger live plant section • Better care and plant health • Extensive landscaping materials • 90-day plant return policy | • Inconsistent plant quality • Strong bulk soil/mulch options • Good outdoor power equipment | Lowe’s – Healthier plants and selection (The Spruce) |
| Hardscaping | • Good variety of decorative pavers • Seasonal landscaping décor | • Excellent for bulk hardscape needs • Strong paver and retaining wall selection | Home Depot– Bulk hardscaping leader |
| Hardware Selection | • Good for finish hardware and fixtures • Stylish options | • Large contractor packs • Construction-grade fasteners • Great for hangers and brackets | Home Depot – Best for contractor bulk |
Tip: For specialized trades, explore our complete tool guides on roofing tools, electrical tools, construction tools, concrete tools, carpentry tools, and HVAC tools.
Paint and Building Materials
Lowe’s offers Sherwin-Williams (premium) and Valspar (mid-range), with a 30-day exchange policy and better color matching technology.
Home Depot stocks Behr (good quality, excellent value) and Glidden (budget), but tinted paint is not returnable.
Home Depot generally stocks more building materials overall, with deeper inventory of framing lumber and structural components.
Appliances and Cabinets
Lowe’s offers a wider selection of appliance brands, finishes, and sizes. Their showroom displays make it easier for clients to visualize options. Both stores offer cabinet lines at various price points.
Garden and Outdoor Products
According to The Spruce, Lowe’s has the edge with better selection, prices, and plant care. Lowe’s offers a 90-day return policy on plants, while Home Depot excels at hardscaping materials like pavers and retaining wall blocks.
Customer Experience and Service
Store Layout and Ease of Shopping
- Lowe’s: Wider aisles, brighter, better for browsing.
- Home Depot: Compact, industrial, better for fast pickups.
Pro Desk Service: Both offer contractor services. Home Depot’s outside sales reps help negotiate bulk pricing and source hard-to-find materials.
Online Ordering, Delivery, and Pickup
- Both offer BOPIS, curbside pickup, and same-day delivery.
- According to Digital Commerce 360, Home Depot leads in ecommerce dollars; Lowe’s has grown faster online recently.
Staff Knowledge and Customer Support
According to The Spruce, staff knowledge varies by location, but both stores train specialists in each department. Lowe’s is often more consultative; Home Depot more transactional.
Lowe’s vs Home Depot for Different Shoppers
Not every contractor shops the same way. The best store for you depends on your budget, trade, and the type of work you do. While both Lowe’s and Home Depot serve pros across the board, certain strengths make one a better fit than the other in specific situations. Here’s how the two stack up depending on your business needs:
Budget Shoppers: Home Depot is better for bulk building materials and low-cost tools.
Finish Work & Design Projects: Lowe’s shines with its layout, appliance selection, and higher-end finishes.
High-Volume Contractors: Home Depot’s Pro Xtra and outside sales team are ideal for large projects.
Specialty Contractors:
- Electricians, Plumbers, HVAC pros often split purchases between stores.
- Landscapers prefer Lowe’s for plants, Home Depot for stone and bulk.
Shopping Hacks for Contractors
- Always check online prices before going in-store.
- Ask for price matching on big-ticket items.
- Use Invoice Fly’s service price calculator to protect your margins.
- Join both rewards programs and carry both credit cards.
- Build relationships with department staff—they can flag upcoming sales or restocks.
Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the Lowe’s vs Home Depot debate. Each store has clear strengths. Home Depot is unbeatable for bulk construction supplies, volume pricing, and outside sales support. Lowe’s delivers better shopping experiences, more client-friendly showrooms, and helpful discounts.
Smart contractors use both. Join both loyalty programs, compare prices, and let project needs determine where you shop.Start saving time and money—use Invoice Fly’s invoice maker today!
Get Started with Invoice Fly’s Software
Invoice Fly is a smart, fast, and easy-to-use invoicing software designed for freelancers, contractors, and small business owners. Create and send invoices, track payments, and manage your business — all in one place.
FAQs About Lowe's and Home Depot
Neither store is universally "better." Home Depot excels at bulk materials and contractor-focused services. Lowe's offers better customer service and superior selection in appliances and garden products. Most contractors shop at both depending on the project.
Lowe's generally positions itself as slightly more upscale with brighter lighting, wider aisles, and better-merchandised displays. Their exclusive paint brands (Sherwin-Williams and Valspar) are considered higher-end than Home Depot's Behr and Glidden.
People appreciate Lowe's for cleaner store layout, better customer service, superior selection in appliances and garden products, Sherwin-Williams paint, 5% discount with Lowe's credit card, no cap on military discount, and Amazon price matching.
No, these are two separate, publicly-traded companies that compete against each other. Home Depot was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Atlanta. Lowe's was founded in 1921 and is headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina.
Home Depot is significantly bigger with over 2,300 stores compared to Lowe's 1,700+ locations. Home Depot controls approximately 64% market share in the hardware and home improvement category, while Lowe's holds about 21%.
No company has bought Lowe's. Lowe's Companies, Inc. remains an independent, publicly-traded corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol LOW since 1961.
