There was a time when homeowners were limited to just a few small stores when it came to purchasing hardware, ordering building materials, or picking up new tools.

Today is a completely different landscape, with big box home improvement stores accessible nationwide. Lowe’s Home Improvement is a favorite among many, with over 1,700 stores nationwide, excellent product selections, and a history dating back to 1946. 

But Lowe’s isn’t the only game in town. There are several other big box home improvement stores for customers to choose from. This Lowe’s review will explain why Lowe’s ranks at the top compared to other options.  

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Lowe’s is a one-stop shop when it comes to home improvement. That may be a cliché that gets thrown around far too often, but in this case, it fits the bill.

Customers head to Lowe’s for a wide range of reasons. They can find products for building and renovating, pest control products, lawn and power equipment, plumbing and electrical supplies, paint, power tools, organization, window covering, and even cleaning supplies.

Prices are excellent, and the selection and stock are usually plentiful, meaning customers can generally leave the store with exactly what they were looking for.

Lowe’s has a massive selection of departments within each of its stores. Aside from the traditional lumber and building materials departments (where one could buy wood, plywood, concrete, and drywall), Lowe’s also has:

Lowe’s offers thousands of products online and in-store. There are obviously 2x4s and light switches, but there are many other products — too many for a list to be exhaustive. However, this guide might help:

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These are similar to the products that The Home Depot sells. Menards, Ace Hardware, and True Value don’t offer quite as many products, particularly in-store. 

Lowe’s can help customers install certain materials or systems purchased from the store. It has a team of vetted contractors that will handle the entire project. Lowe’s installation teams can handle:

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It’s important to note that Home Depot and Menards offer similar services. Ace Hardware and True Value only offer limited installation services. 

Prices will vary depending on a wide range of factors, but in general, Lowe’s prices are competitive or better than most large home improvement chains. It has more buying power than the majority of competitors, allowing it to negotiate better prices on some items than the competition. 

It’s important to remember that it’s hard to compare the same items at two or three different stores because most carry different brands.

However, Lowe’s and Home Depot frequently compete on items to the point that they’re usually within a few dollars of each other. This will usually beat True Value by quite a bit and be competitive if not cheaper than Menards. 

Lowe’s customer service consists of well-trained in-store associates who help in every department. Also, customers can visit the customer service desk for questions about orders and deliveries, to return items, as well as other concerns. Customer service is also available online and over the phone, providing several methods of contacting Lowe’s.

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If you often have a problem with a product or service, the customer service line will open a case and reconnect you with the original store. Typically, several managers in each department can help you solve your issue. 

Lowe’s typically offers extended warranties on certain products like power tools and appliances. These protection plans will continue to cover the items if an item breaks or fails, protecting the customer’s investment.

Also, Lowe’s offers financing options for big purchases. Customers with a Lowe’s credit card are often eligible for extended terms, but 5% savings and 6 months, zero interest are always available. 

Most customers can take advantage of Lowe’s generous shipping policy. Orders over $45 ship to the customer’s home for free if they weigh less than 150 pounds (70 pounds to PO boxes). The only items this doesn’t apply to are special order items, orders where eligible items were canceled, and orders containing hazardous materials. 

Customers can also take advantage of same-day pickup, through which they order their item online and receive an alert when it’s ready. They can then head to the store and pick their item up curbside or in-store. 

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Let’s take a look at how Lowe’s stacks up against the competition in some of the most important areas below. 

When it comes to prices, Lowe’s and Home Depot are usually very close to one another, even when the products aren’t exactly the same. However, with frequent sales and excellent financing options, Lowe’s is often more affordable than Home Depot. Lowe’s is also typically less expensive than stores like Ace Hardware or True Value, while Menards can sometimes edge Lowe’s on building materials and lumber prices. 

Lowe’s in-house store brands include Kobalt, Blue Hawk, Allen and Roth, Utilitech, and Severe Weather. This compares well with Home Depot’s Husky, Glacier Bay, Hampton Bay, HDX, and LifeProof brands. Menards owns Masterforce, Dakota, and Mastercraft. Ace Hardware owns Ace and Clark and Kensington while True Value owns True Value and EasyCare. 

Lowe’s and Home Depot certainly have the edge over the other big box stores, but Lowe’s selection of home decor items gives it the edge. 

The smaller big box stores (True Value and Ace Hardware) aren’t designed to offer the same volume of products or slew of services, giving Lowe’s the clear edge. Home Depot and Menards compare well, with Home Depot having a slight edge over Lowe’s. However, Lowe’s excels in appliances and home decor, offering better deals and more options in these categories.

It’s also worth noting that Home Depot has an estimated total retail space of 241 million, while Lowe’s has an estimated total retail space of 245 million, allowing Lowe’s to offer slightly more in-store selection. 

Lowe’s and Home Depot are neck and neck again when it comes to installations, offering very similar services. Both of these stores are ahead of the rest, with Ace, True Value, and Menards offering limited services. But, with Lowe’s excellent appliance options, it may be the best option for installation simply due to the wide range of options available. 

When it comes to warranties, Lowe’s gets a slight edge over Home Depot (very slight), with Menards, Ace Hardware, and True Value lagging. Lowe’s and Home Depot offer excellent tool warranties, but Lowe’s extended warranty plans help protect appliances, covering repairs and replacements. Home Depot does have a generous return policy, and its lifetime warranty on Husky hand tools does compete with Craftsman’s lifetime warranty. 

The customer service experience will vary from store to store, so it’s difficult to compare such a human element. However, it’s a fairly well-accepted point that Lowe’s does cater more to DIYers and homeowners, while Home Depot is often better equipped for contractors. In this regard, homeowners might find Lowe’s to have slightly better customer service. 

Ultimately, we find that Lowe’s is the best option for homeowners and DIYers. It offers an excellent selection of departments, products, and installation services. It also offers great prices on products, excels in areas like home decor and appliances, and its financing options are generous. Top-notch warranties are also available, ensuring customers are satisfied with their purchases for years to come. 

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We compared the major big box stores to find the best option based on their products, services, prices, installation offerings, warranties, and financing options. We compared each company thoroughly to find their strengths and weaknesses in these areas.

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