How to become a Home Depot contractor and find more work

Becoming a Home Depot contractor gives your business another way to find work. The Home Depot name can help you reach homeowners who are already ready to hire, add jobs to your schedule, and rely less on any one lead source.

You’ll apply as an independent business, most often through Home Depot Pro Referral or one of Home Depot’s service-provider programs. Before you apply, make sure your licenses, insurance, business information, and service-area details are ready.

This guide walks you through the different programs, what you’ll need to qualify, and how to apply.

Quick answer: How do you become a Home Depot contractor?

To become a Home Depot contractor, your licensed home service business must meet the requirements for the program you want. You’ll then need to apply to the program and complete its screening steps. For Pro Referral, that may include business, licensing, insurance, EPA certification, and background checks. Home Depot reviews applications and contacts you when opportunities are available in your service area.

Note that Pro Referral contractors remain independent; you don’t become a Home Depot employee. Also be aware that Pro Xtra is a separate loyalty program for professional customers, and membership alone doesn’t qualify you as a Home Depot service contractor.

Table of contents

What does it mean to be a Home Depot contractor?

“Home Depot contractor” can mean a few different things. First, decide which type of relationship you want. The requirements, paperwork, and job flow can change depending on whether you want homeowner referrals or work tied to Home Depot-sold services.

Home Depot Pro Referral

Home Depot Pro Referral connects customers with screened independent local professionals for projects in their area. Customers receive information about matched pros, then choose who they want to contact or hire. The customer works directly with the selected pro, who continues to operate as an independent business.

Home Depot service and installation providers

Contractors may also pursue opportunities connected with installation services sold through Home Depot or other vendor relationships. These arrangements can have their own onboarding, screening, insurance, licensing, and performance standards. Check the requirements for each opportunity instead of assuming they’re the same as Pro Referral’s requirements.

Home Depot Pro Xtra members

Pro Xtra is Home Depot’s loyalty and purchasing program for professional customers. Contractors can join to access member benefits and tools for managing business purchases. However, joining Pro Xtra doesn’t make your business an approved Home Depot contractor or enroll you in Pro Referral or a service-provider program.

What are the requirements to become a Home Depot contractor?

Home Depot contractor requirements vary by trade, location, service category, and program. In general, contractors should expect requirements related to business qualifications, applicable licenses, insurance coverage, and screening. Check the standards for the specific opportunity you want before starting an application.

An established contracting business

Apply with an established contracting business whose records accurately represent the company you operate. Your business name and other identifying information should be consistent across the documents Home Depot reviews during the application and screening process.

Before applying, check information associated with your:

• Business registration and tax records
• Trade or contractor licenses
• Insurance policies
• Contact and service-area information

Home Depot doesn’t list one required business structure for every program. Registration and entity requirements can depend on your location, trade, and the opportunity you pursue.

Applicable contractor or trade licenses

Home Depot states that businesses in its Pro Referral marketplace must have valid, applicable state-level trade licensing for the services they provide.

Licensing rules vary widely by state and trade. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and other regulated work may require additional licenses, permits, registrations, or credentials. Check with your state licensing agency and applicable local authorities to determine what your business needs before applying. Keep your licenses current and select only the services you’re qualified to perform.

General liability insurance

Home Depot currently requires businesses participating in Pro Referral to carry general liability insurance. Contractors pursuing other Home Depot service provider relationships should confirm the Commercial General Liability requirements for that specific program before applying.

Other business coverage may also be required based on your circumstances, including:

• Workers’ compensation when required by state law
• Commercial auto insurance for business vehicles
• Trade-specific coverage required by law or contract

Review the current Home Depot program documents and your state’s rules before applying. Don’t assume the same insurance requirements apply to every contractor program.

Background screening

Expect screening as part of a Home Depot contractor background check. Home Depot states that after a Pro Referral application is submitted, third-party sources are used to check the business owner’s background.

Home Depot doesn’t publicly detail every factor that could affect screening results, so focus on providing complete, accurate information and following the instructions you receive. Because screening standards can change, check Home Depot’s current program information before applying.

Service-area and trade eligibility

Your business must also align with the trades, service categories, and geographic markets that Home Depot currently supports. Available opportunities can vary by location, so qualifying as a contractor doesn’t mean every type of Home Depot contractor job will be available in your market.

When selecting services, stick to work your business is:

• Properly licensed to perform
• Insured to perform
• Staffed and equipped to complete
• Available to provide within the selected service area

Accurate service categories can help connect your business with customer requests that match the work your team actually does.

How to become a Home Depot contractor step by step

Some steps below come directly from Home Depot’s current contractor and service provider information. Others are business-preparation steps that can help you get your documentation in order before applying. Because processes differ by program, trade, and market, confirm current instructions with Home Depot before submitting your application.

1. Set up your contracting business

Start by establishing the service business you’ll use for your Home Depot contractor application. This generally means completing applicable business registration and tax setup, opening a business bank account, and setting up reliable contact information.

2. Get the licenses required for your trade

Check both state and local licensing rules before applying. Requirements can differ even within the same state. An electrician, plumber, and handyman may face different licensing, registration, permit, or project-value rules.

Confirm the requirements with your state licensing agency and local authorities instead of relying only on general contractor advice online.

3. Get the required business insurance

Confirm that your business carries the insurance Home Depot requires and that each policy is current before applying. According to Home Depot’s partnership overview, service providers must carry:

• Commercial General Liability Insurance: Minimum $1 million in coverage.
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Coverage that complies with applicable statutory limits.
• Commercial Auto Insurance: Minimum $300,000 in liability coverage.

Keep current certificates of insurance readily accessible so you can provide documentation during the application and onboarding process. Housecall Pro’s business insurance guide explains common coverage types for home service businesses.

4. Prepare your business information

Gather the required business documentation before starting your application. According to Home Depot’s partnership overview, the documents you need depend partly on your business structure and the type of installation work you perform.

Be prepared to provide applicable documentation such as:

• Articles of Incorporation or Organization: Required for corporations, partnerships, and LLCs. Documents must indicate ownership.
• Business license: Required for individual or sole proprietors and single-member LLCs.
• Lead certification: Federal EPA Firm Lead Certification and/or applicable State Lead Firm certification.
• Local or state licenses: Home Depot assesses licensing requirements based on the type of installation and applicable state and local rules.

Check every document before submitting it to make sure your business, ownership, licensing, and insurance information is accurate and current.

5. Apply to the appropriate Home Depot program

Choose the Home Depot program that matches the type of opportunity you want. Contractors interested in customer referrals should review Home Depot Pro Referral, while businesses pursuing installation or service provider work should follow the application route Home Depot provides for those relationships.

Apply through the official Home Depot website rather than a third-party lead seller.

6. Complete the screening process

Follow the screening instructions for your specific program. Home Depot’s public information describes steps that can include reviewing applicable licensing and insurance and conducting third-party background screening.

Provide accurate information and respond promptly if additional documentation is requested. Home Depot can update its screening and participation standards, follow the current instructions included with your application.

7. Complete onboarding and set up your profile

After acceptance, follow the onboarding instructions Home Depot provides for your program. Review your business information, services, coverage area, and contact details before your profile goes live.

Keep this information up to date so potential customers and program administrators have an accurate view of what your business offers and where you work.

8. Respond to opportunities quickly

Once opportunities begin arriving, make prompt follow-up part of your workflow. Track each inquiry, schedule appointments, send estimates, and keep customers updated instead of relying on scattered calls, texts, or notes.

Housecall Pro can help you manage that process with scheduling, customer communication, estimates, and lead tracking. Keep in mind that acceptance into a program doesn’t guarantee a set number of leads or jobs.

How much does it cost to become a Home Depot contractor?

There is no single published cost to become a Home Depot contractor. Home Depot describes Pro Referral leads as cost-free, but contractors still have the regular costs of qualifying for and running the business.

Costs can include:

• Program/application fees: Home Depot doesn’t publish one universal fee across contractor pathways.
• Licensing: Fees vary by trade and location.
• Insurance: Pro Referral requires general liability coverage.
• Background screening: Home Depot confirms third-party screening but doesn’t publicly list a universal contractor fee.
• Business expenses: Registration, vehicles, tools, staffing, and other operating costs vary by company.

How do Home Depot contractor leads work?

Home Depot contractor leads through Pro Referral begin when a customer describes the project they need completed. Pro Referral then uses its matching system to identify qualified local pros, and the customer reviews the matched businesses before deciding who to contact.

According to Home Depot, customers can choose up to five pros to connect with about their project. Home Depot currently says its proprietary algorithm recommends the top three pros who meet the project criteria. Being matched with a customer doesn’t mean you’ve won the job.

Once an opportunity reaches your business, focus on the parts of the customer experience you control:

• Response time: Follow up promptly while the customer is actively looking for help.
• Communication: Ask clear questions and explain what happens next.
• Availability: Offer realistic appointment or project dates.
• Estimates: Provide clear pricing and describe the proposed work.
• Reputation: Build trust through professional service and customer reviews.
• Follow-up: Stay in contact when a customer needs time to decide.

How to turn Home Depot leads into booked jobs

A referral gives you an opportunity, but you still have to earn the customer’s business. Respond quickly, understand the project, provide clear pricing, and track which opportunities turn into profitable work.

Respond quickly

In Housecall Pro’s 2025 survey of over 1,000 U.S. homeowners, 97% said response time influences who they hire. Contact the homeowner as soon as you receive the lead. Someone actively requesting contractor recommendations may be speaking with several pros, so waiting too long gives another business more time to win the job.

Ask qualifying questions

Before preparing an estimate, confirm the basics:

• What work does the customer need?
• Where is the project located?
• When do they want the work completed?
• What are their budget expectations?

These questions help determine whether the project fits your services, schedule, and pricing.

Send professional estimates

Give homeowners a clear picture of what they’re approving. Spell out the project scope, labor and material costs, available options, exclusions, and approval process so customers can make an informed decision. In our 2025 survey, 93% of homeowners said instant, clear estimates influence their hiring decision.

Read more: How to write a quote

Follow up consistently

Follow up after sending an estimate, but give the homeowner room to make a decision. A brief message asking whether they have questions or need additional information can keep the conversation moving without adding pressure.

Read more: How to follow up on a quote

Track which leads become profitable jobs

Lead volume tells only part of the story. Track the numbers that show whether Home Depot contractor leads are producing profitable work:

• Lead source and close rate
• Average ticket
• Job costs
• Profit

Housecall Pro brings lead tracking, estimates, scheduling, and invoicing into one place, helping you follow each opportunity from the first inquiry through the completed job and payment.

Pros and cons of becoming a Home Depot contractor

Becoming a Home Depot Pro Referral contractor can add another source of project opportunities, but participation doesn’t guarantee jobs or make every referral a fit. Weigh the potential benefits and tradeoffs before adding the program to your lead strategy.

Pros	Cons
Access to homeowners actively seeking help	No guaranteed leads or booked jobs
Association with the Home Depot brand	Competition with other local pros
Another source of potential projects	Screening and participation requirements
Less reliance on one marketing channel	Lead quality can vary
Opportunity to grow your customer base	Overreliance creates single-source risk

Treat Home Depot referrals as one part of a broader lead strategy, not your only source of new business.

Other ways to get contractor leads

Home Depot Pro Referral can add another source of opportunities, but your business shouldn’t have to depend on one company for new work. Using several lead sources can help you reach more customers and keep opportunities coming when one channel slows down.

Here are some tactics to try:

• Google Business Profile: Keep your listing complete and up to date.
• Local SEO: Create website content around your services and locations.
• Local Services Ads: Use Google Local Services Ads, when available for your trade and area, to reach nearby customers searching for home services.
• Thumbtack: Create a business profile and connect with local homeowners searching for professionals in your service category.
• Customer referrals: Ask satisfied customers to recommend your business.
• Online reviews: Encourage customers to share their experiences.
• Paid search: Target homeowners actively searching for your services.
• Social media: Stay visible in the communities you serve.
• Local partnerships: Build relationships with complementary businesses.
• Repeat customers: Stay connected with past customers for future work.
• Online booking: Give customers an easy way to request service when they’re ready.

Read more: Best lead generation websites for home service businesses

Build a contracting business that’s ready for more leads

More leads only help your business if you have a reliable process for handling them. If estimates, scheduling, customer updates, invoicing, and payments all require manual work, a new lead source can add more office work without adding more profitable jobs.

Housecall Pro helps home service businesses manage new inquiries, estimates, scheduling, jobs, invoices, and payments in one place. This gives your team a consistent way to respond to prospects, book work, keep customers updated, and stay connected after the job.

Home Depot can help you reach new customers. Your own systems determine how efficiently you turn those opportunities into booked jobs and repeat business.

Build a more consistent process for managing leads and jobs with a free Housecall Pro trial.

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