I’m proud to say I donned the Home Depot orange apron for a couple years back in the day. As an employee, I gained insider knowledge that can help you, your friends, and your family save even more. Along with my knowledge, I hit up close to a dozen current Home Depot employees and here are some expert tips on how to maximize your savings on your next visit.

1. Leverage Their Price Match Policy

According to one employee that I talked to, one of The Home Depot’s least used “secrets” is its price match policy.

If you find a lower price on an identical item from a competitor Home Depot will match the price.

They used to beat the price by 10% as well, but unfortunately that went away back in 2022.

This policy applies to both in-store and online purchases.

Here’s how to take advantage:

– Research Competitors: Before making a purchase, check prices on major competitors’ websites like Lowe’s, Walmart, and Amazon.

– Keep Proof: Take a screenshot or print out the competitor’s price. Ensure it includes the item number, price, and date.

– Speak Up: Present your proof at the customer service desk or to the cashier. They will verify the price and adjust accordingly.

See Also: Out-Of-The Box Ways to Save Money at The Home Depot

LEARN TO HAGGLE A LOWER PRICE

As a Home Depot employee, I was actually encouraged to give a lower price to shoppers that asked for one when the product or packaging had even the slightest dent, scratch, or imperfection. Do NOT be afraid to haggle a lower price on these items, start by asking for 20% off and be ready to settle for a 10% discount.

2. Utilize Special Buy of the Day

One employee told me about the little-known Home Depot “daily deals” on select items known as the “Special Buy of the Day”.

These deals are available for 24 hours and can offer significant discounts on a variety of products, from power tools to home decor.

– Daily Check: Make it a habit to check Home Depot’s website or app daily to catch these limited-time offers.

– Email Alerts: Sign up for Home Depot’s email alerts to receive notifications about these deals straight to your inbox.

3. Join the Garden Club

BJ in the garden department told me about the Home Depot’s Garden Club, a free program that offers exclusive savings and tips for gardening enthusiasts.

By joining, you receive:

– Monthly Coupons: Members receive coupons for discounts on plants, soil, gardening tools, and more.

– Expert Advice: Access to gardening tips and project ideas to make the most out of your purchases.

– Exclusive Offers: Special promotions and deals that are only available to Garden Club members.

1-YEAR PLANT WARRANTY

Perennials, trees, roses, and shrubs at The Home Depot come with a 1-year warranty and can be returned for store credit, just be sure to KEEP your receipt. For indoor plants, I like to put my receipt in a Ziploc bag and tape it to the bottom of the pot so I always have it if I need it.

4. Take Advantage of Rebates and Promotions

According to Tim, a Home Depot assistant manger, his favorite way to save is to take advantage of manufacturer rebates and in-store promotions.

These can provide substantial savings on big-ticket items including appliances, power tools, and building materials.

– Check for Rebates: Visit the Rebate Center on Home Depot’s website to find current rebate offers. Submit rebate forms promptly to ensure you receive your money back.

– In-Store Promotions: Look for promotional signage in-store. These can include buy-one-get-one-free offers, discounts on bulk purchases, and more.

See Also: We Breakdown The Home Depot Return Policy

5. Use the Home Depot Credit Card

Home Depot offers a consumer credit card that comes with several benefits designed to save you money:

– Special Financing: Enjoy special financing on purchases over a certain amount. This can be particularly useful for larger home improvement projects.

– Exclusive Offers: Cardholders receive access to exclusive promotions and discounts throughout the year.

– Extended Returns: Benefit from an extended return policy, giving you more time to return items if needed.

6. Buy in Bulk

I had another employee give me a great tip for frequent DIYers or contractors.

They highly recommend buying in bulk which can lead to significant savings.

Home Depot offers bulk pricing on many items, including:

– Building Materials: Lumber, drywall, and insulation often come with discounts when purchased in larger quantities.

– Hardware and Fasteners: Screws, nails, and bolts are cheaper per unit when bought in bulk packs.

– Cleaning Supplies: Stock up on cleaning products like bleach, paper towels, and disinfectants to take advantage of bulk pricing.

BUYING IN BULK “RETURN” TIP

When buying items in bulk at Home Depot, you can play the “I lost my receipt” card when making a return and return items individually for the non-bulk price. But keep in mind that you’ll have to settle for store credit.

7. Attend Free Workshops

Home Depot offers free workshops for DIY enthusiasts of all skill levels.

These workshops not only provide valuable skills but can also introduce you to products and tools that may be on sale.

– DIY Workshops: Learn how to tackle various home improvement projects, from installing tile to building furniture.

– Kids Workshops: Fun and educational workshops designed for children, which often include free project kits.

– Schedule: Check Home Depot’s website for a schedule of upcoming workshops and register in advance.

8. Shop the Clearance Section

Another employee reminded me of the often neglected clearance section where you can find deeply discounted items.

These can range from slightly damaged goods to discontinued items.

– Regular Visits: Clearance items change frequently, so make it a habit to check the clearance section regularly.

– Open Box Items: Look for open box items, especially in the tools and appliances sections, which can offer substantial discounts.

9. Follow Seasonal Sales

Home Depot has seasonal sales events that offer significant savings on various items.

Key times to look out for include:

– Spring Black Friday: Occurs in April and offers discounts on gardening supplies, outdoor furniture, and more.

– Memorial Day: Big savings on appliances, rebate on Behr paint, grills, and patio furniture.

– July 4th: Discounts on tools, building materials, and home improvement essentials.

– Labor Day: End-of-summer deals on outdoor and indoor products, rebate on Behr paint.

– Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Major discounts across all departments, perfect for holiday shopping.

“CHEAP PAINT” PRO TIP

Having worked in the paint department, I can tell you that we were often messing up paint matches or our mixing machines were not mixing paint colors correctly. Because of this, we would add new gallons of paint daily to our  “Oops Shelf” for a quick sale at a highly discounted price. Think $5-$10 for a $30-40 gallon of Behr paint. And the colors were often very neutral. So if you don’t really care about color, and care more about value, make it a habit to check out the “Oops Shelf” right next to the paint mixing desk.

10. Apply for Pro Xtra Membership

If you’re a professional contractor or a serious DIY enthusiast, consider joining Home Depot’s Pro Xtra program.

This loyalty program offers numerous benefits:

– Volume Pricing: Get discounts based on the volume of your purchases.

– Exclusive Offers: Access to special promotions and sales.

– Job-Site Delivery: Free delivery options for bulk orders.

– Purchase Tracking: Keep track of your purchases and receipts for easy reference.

See Also: How to Negotiate a Lower Price at Home Depot

11. Score a $5 Off $50+ Coupon

This one is pretty simple, score a free $5 coupon for your next in-store purchase.

I had a cashier tell me about this easy 5 bucks when I asked her how to go about finding Home Depot coupons.

The only “coupon caveat” is that it’s only good for in-store purchases.

12. Rent Tools Instead of Buying

For one-time projects, renting tools can be a cost-effective alternative to purchasing them.

Home Depot’s tool rental program offers a wide range of tools and equipment for rent, including:

– Power Tools: Drills, saws, and sanders.

– Lawn Equipment: Lawn mowers, trimmers, and leaf blowers.

– Heavy Equipment: Concrete mixers, trenchers, and trailers.

13. Negotiate Bulk Discounts

If you’re making a large purchase, don’t hesitate to ask for a bulk discount.

Store managers have the authority to offer additional discounts for significant purchases, especially if you’re a loyal customer or a Pro Xtra member.

14. Use Military Discounts

Home Depot honors military personnel with a 10% discount on in-store purchases.

This discount is available to:

– Active Duty: All active-duty military members.

– Veterans: All veterans with a valid military ID.

– Dependents: Immediate family members of active-duty and veteran personnel.

MILITARY DISCOUNT TIP

Unfortunately, getting the Home Depot military discount is not as easy as just showing your driver’s license at checkout.  You now have to download the Home Depot app and verify your military service within the app. You’ll then pull up a scannable code within the app when checking out and the cashier will scan it and you’ll collect your 10% off. This has been met with much resistance as many vets are not tech savvy or don’t have a smartphone. If you need help getting setup with their military discount please contact me directly and I’ll help you out in any way I can.

See Also: All The Hardware Stores That Price-Match Home Depot

15. Explore the Online Savings Center

I had an online chat rep recommend the Home Depot online Savings Center where you can find various discounts and promotions on a wide range of products.

This section is updated regularly and includes the following:

– Deal of the Day: Daily discounts on select items.

– Special Buys: Limited-time offers on various products.

– Overstock Savings: Discounts on overstocked items.

Ask the Reader: How do you save money when shopping at The Home Depot? Let me know if I missed any savings hacks or tricks.

By Kyle James

Kyle James( Owner/Founder )

I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)