If you’re like most field service pros, your local home improvement store probably feels more like a second home. You know how to navigate the familiar aisles, weaving between paint and plumbing departments to find the materials you need to get the job done.
Chances are that you either shop at Home Depot or Lowe’s, the two largest retailers in this industry. Both companies are priced competitively and help contractors like you drive business by saving time and money.
Today’s post takes a look at Home Depot vs. Lowe’s Pro Desk and compares the perks of each account. Once you learn the difference between these two programs, you’ll have a better idea of where you should shop—and how you can save.
The Home Depot Pro Desk
If you spend plenty of time (and money) at the Big Orange, you might be missing out on some significant savings if you haven’t signed up for a Pro account. What’s a Home Depot Pro Account, you ask? It’s the retailer’s membership program that gives Pros like yourself access to everyday benefits and discounts.
Home Depot Pro Desk benefits
Home Depot professional and contractor services check just about every box you could ask for from a home improvement retailer. By opening an account, you can add to your bottom line and grow your business with exclusive promotions reserved just for Pro members. These are some of the top benefits pros can expect when joining the Home Depot Pro Desk:
Bulk Pricing
No matter which service industry you work in, you’re guaranteed to find the right overhead material within Home Depot’s spread of 4,000+ bulk price eligible products. Buy more and save more with large-volume discounts.
You’ll discover bulk savings on all sorts of project materials you could need to get the job done. Whether you stock up and keep a supply reserve at HQ, or buy in bulk to complete a construction phase, lower estimates on raw materials mean a higher profit margin for your business.
Rentals
Sometimes buying doesn’t make sense. Home Depot Pro Desk claims to have all the rental needs for a small business in one place. Rent pro-quality equipment, tools, trucks and trailers for any job.
Commercial Credit
Maximize your purchasing power and equip yourself with a credit card built to power business. Explore new business opportunities while enjoying a number of perks with Home Depot and their partners.
Home Depot Pro Xtra
Home Depot Pro Xtra, which delivers all the same benefits as the Home Depot Pro Desk plus additional industry-specific perks around volume pricing, paint rewards, personalized offers, purchase tracking, and employee purchasing authorization.
Pro Xtra paint rewards program benefits
Pro Xtra Paint Rewards makes it simple for home painting Pros to save more on liquid paint, stains and primer purchases when they spend more on all paint-supply products. After members enter the phone number associated with their Pro Xtra account, discounts are applied instantly at checkout.
The Lowe’s Pro Desk
Pros will find similar rewards at the Lowe’s Pro Desk with some different benefits like calculators and e-procurement assistance. Below are more details on some of the top benefits within the Lowe’s Pro loyalty program:
Lowe’s MVP pro everyday loyalty benefits
Volume discount pricing
With Lowe’s Contractor Packs™, your company can gain a bulk discount by purchasing a minimum amount of the same product or purchasing in prepackaged, bulk quantities. These packages are quick, convenient, discounted bundles of items that you use most.
Pro exclusive in-store perks
Members of the loyalty program get in-store benefits, along with online savings. For example, visits are easier with dedicated pro parking. And pros can shop exclusive online deals, such as an extra 25% of shelving or 15% off drill kits, and receive notifications to take advantage of members-only in-store events.
Convenience In-Store & At Your Door
Pick up your purchase in-store or choose from a variety of parcel delivery options including standard (1-4 days), same day shipping, or next-day shipping.
Prefer making purchases in-store? No problem. Shop when it’s convenient for you with extended store hours, and get in and out in a hurry with dedicated Pro parking and checkout.
Dedicated account management
Partner with Lowe’s ProServices at the right level for your business needs and choose between a local Specialist, Regional Sales Manager, and National Account Manager depending on the size of your organization. If you have standing home service agreements, Lowe’s account managers can anticipate your client’s needs, help you track their purchase order, and provide you with personal recommendations.
A unique take away from the Lowe’s Pro Desk is the wealth of resources available to their members online. Whether you need construction calculators for concrete beams, tips on how to remove caulk from your hands, or ideas on basement floors, Housecall Pro offers plenty of learning material you can apply to your business.
What is better: Home Depot or Lowes?
In the comparison of the Home Depot vs. Lowes Pro Desk, you can see that both memberships are similar with the exception of a few differences. Let’s take a look at how they stack up against each other.Since these are the two biggest companies in the home service supply industry, let’s compare Home Depot vs. Lowe’s Pro Desk to see how the two big box stores stack up next to each other.
Bulk discounts
When you average out the cost of all items, Home Depot and Lowes have essentially the same pricing. The two big box stores engage in daily price battles, and it’s not uncommon to see the same item priced within pennies of each other at each retailer. Businesses such as plumbing, electrical, and HVAC can get their materials elsewhere for good cost by using an all in one solution like Housecall Pro to streamline all the purchases, get financing, and keep paperwork together.
It’s worth noting that although the Home Depot Pro Desk offers a higher quantity of bulk-eligible items, the Lowe’s catalog is more robust and contains additional discounted categories that the Big Orange lacks. Pro customers at both stores will receive exclusive, members-only coupons and promotions.
Will Home Depot price match? In most cases, yes. As the top two home improvement stores, these organizations engage in competitive pricing and are therefore likely to match or beat the other in order to secure your business. As of recently, Lowes also offers price match.
Pro tip: Before making any big purchases, always do research online beforehand to compare as the #1 rated field service management software, reviews are important.
Company credit cards
CompareCards conducted an analysis of Home Depot vs. Lowes Pro credit cards to see who came out ahead and it looks like Lowe’s takes the lead.
*Terms and conditions apply and are subject to change.
Credit Karma conducted an analysis of Home Depot vs. Lowes Pro credit cards to see who came out ahead and it looks like Lowe’s takes the lead, but when looking at financing options, Housecall Pro is the best choice.
Since neither credit card comes with an annual fee, you’ll save on large purchases. Lowe’s Advantage card has better options for project financing. Lowe’s card has ongoing discounts for purchases and 5% off of all eligible purchases made at Lowe’s stores.
Six month financing options for Home Depot could help you save on big projects. When you make purchases of $299 or more, the Home Depot Consumer Credit Card will charge no interest for six months.
Product assortment
The Home Depot Pro Desk offers low prices similar to Lowe’s, but who has the better product assortment? It depends on preference.
Both home improvement retailers carry their own store brand as well as exclusive brands.
Exclusive brands
If you’re a painting professional, and you prefer the Behr color palette over other brands, you should probably sign up for Home Depot Pro Xtra due to their partnership with Behr paints. However, it might be smart to shop inventories at both retailers for the widest selection.
Online shopping and in-store pick up
The Home Depot vs. Lowe’s Pro shopping experience is pretty standard across the board.
Both companies allow you to shop however you prefer and every purchase is backed by a fair return policy. Lowes has better options when looking at cashback on purchases. Home Depot has better options when it comes to bulk pricing. When you need material on the fly, call ahead or order online then pick up in-store within two hours of your purchase—the Home Depot Pro team will provide dedicated checkout and order loading for fast and expedient service.
Business management
Pros at Home Depot and Lowe’s both have access to an online dashboard complete with business management tools, but the former platform—as well as the Home Depot Pro app—outshines its competitor in terms of features and functionality.
Use it in conjunction with your business proposal apps to ensure your business makes the most of tech. Housecall Pro with either Pro Desk account helps Pros stay organized, profitable, and focused on the job (not the paperwork).
Key Takeaways
At the end of the day, the Home Depot Pro Desk might be better suited to painters looking for rewards on their purchases, or to small business owners who want better insights into their finances. The Lowe’s Pro Desk, alternatively, might be best for contractors and subcontractors who want to earn money back on their everyday purchases.
That said, you don’t need to be exclusively in one camp or the other. They’re both free to join, so why not reap the benefits of both programs? Whichever home improvement retailer you shop at, remember that Housecall Pro has you covered with all your business management needs.
