If you’re working on a home project, Home Depot is probably one of the first places that comes to mind. It’s convenient, familiar, and there’s a good chance you can find most of what you need in one trip.
Still, that doesn’t mean it always has the best price.
Depending on what you’re buying, another store might have a better deal, a different brand worth trying, or a sale that makes a big difference. This is especially true for bigger purchases, where saving even 10% or 20% can mean keeping quite a bit more money in your pocket.
That’s why it pays to compare prices before checking out. These eight stores are worth a look before you assume Home Depot has the best deal.
Harbor Freight
Harbor Freight has built a reputation for inexpensive tools, and for many basic projects, its prices are tough to beat.
You won’t find all the same brands sold at Home Depot, but Harbor Freight’s house brands cover everything from hand tools to power tools and shop equipment. For someone who only needs a tool for occasional repairs or weekend projects, spending less can make a lot of sense.
The store also runs plenty of sales and coupons, so the regular price isn’t always the final price you’ll pay.
If you’re building a basic tool collection or need something for a one-time job, check Harbor Freight before spending more elsewhere.
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Lowe’s
Lowe’s is probably the easiest store to compare with Home Depot because the two carry many of the same types of products.
Prices can go either way, but Lowe’s frequently runs promotions on appliances, tools, seasonal merchandise, and home improvement supplies. A sale at one store can make a noticeable difference on a larger purchase.
Lowe’s also has its own loyalty program and promotions, so it’s worth checking your account for available offers before buying.
If you’re spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a project, comparing Home Depot and Lowe’s prices takes only a few minutes and can pay off.
Related: Lowe’s Is Giving Away Free Flowers for Mother’s Day—Here’s How to Grab One
Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware is a different experience from walking into a giant home improvement warehouse. Many Ace stores are locally owned, and the smaller format can make it much easier to find what you need.
Prices aren’t always lower than Home Depot, but Ace can be a great place to shop for smaller repairs, specialty hardware, and those odd little parts that are surprisingly difficult to find.
The rewards program and store-specific promotions can also bring the price down.
Another advantage is the help you can get from employees who know their inventory. If you have a repair problem but aren’t sure which part you need, that can be worth more than saving a couple of dollars.
True Value
True Value has a similar setup, with many stores operated by independent owners.
You might not find the huge selection you’d see at Home Depot, but that’s part of what makes these stores useful. For a straightforward repair or a short shopping list, you can often get in and out without walking through a massive store.
Prices vary from one location to another, so it’s worth comparing before assuming True Value is cheaper. Still, for basic hardware, tools, and everyday repair supplies, it can be a good alternative.
Tractor Supply Company
Tractor Supply may not be the first store you think of for a home renovation, but it carries plenty of products that overlap with what you’d find at Home Depot.
You’ll find tools, fencing supplies, outdoor equipment, garden products, storage items, and plenty of things for maintaining a larger property.
This is where Tractor Supply can make more sense than a traditional home improvement store. If your project involves a yard, acreage, animals, outdoor repairs, or property maintenance, its selection can be a better fit.
Prices vary by product, but it’s worth checking before buying outdoor equipment or supplies elsewhere.
Related: 15 Grocery Store Items You Should Almost Never Pay Full Price For
Menards
If you live in an area served by Menards, it’s a store worth knowing about.
The chain is especially popular in the Midwest and carries everything from lumber and building materials to appliances, tools, paint, and home goods.
Menards is also known for its rebate promotions, including its frequently advertised 11% rebate. The rebate can make a noticeable difference on a large shopping trip, although it’s important to check the current promotion details and how the rebate works.
For bigger projects involving lumber, flooring, insulation, mulch, or other materials, comparing Menards with Home Depot can be worthwhile.
Costco
Costco isn’t a traditional hardware store, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it for home purchases.
Depending on the current selection, Costco can have competitive prices on appliances, flooring, furniture, outdoor products, and seasonal home items. Appliance packages can be especially interesting if you’re replacing several things at once.
The membership requirement is part of the equation, so Costco won’t make sense for every shopper. But if you already have a membership, it takes very little effort to check its price before buying a major item elsewhere.
Related: We Love a Good Costco Run, But These 15 Foods Just Aren’t Worth Buying
Walmart
Walmart is another store that’s easy to overlook if you’re shopping for home improvement supplies.
It may not have the selection you’d expect from Home Depot, but it can have surprisingly low prices on basic tools, storage products, lighting, patio furniture, garden supplies, and seasonal merchandise.
For something like a patio set, storage shelf, basic hand tool, or outdoor decoration, Walmart may have an option that costs considerably less.
The tradeoff is that quality can vary by product and brand. For something you’ll use every day or expect to last for years, compare the materials and reviews rather than looking at price alone.
Related: We Appreciate the Low Prices at Walmart — But These 15 Items Are Better Bought Somewhere Else
Amazon
Amazon has become another place worth checking before buying tools, hardware, lighting, fixtures, and smaller home improvement items.
One of its biggest advantages is the sheer number of brands and price points available. You can compare several versions of the same type of product without driving to multiple stores.
You may even find the exact model sold at Home Depot for a similar or lower price online. Just make sure you’re comparing the same model number rather than assuming two products are identical because they look alike.
Reviews can also help you spot recurring complaints before you buy.
The downside is that you don’t get to hold the product in your hands or ask someone in the aisle for help. For smaller purchases, though, the convenience and price comparison can be hard to beat.
Home Depot is still a convenient choice for plenty of projects, and sometimes it really does have the best deal. But there’s no reason to assume that before checking.
For a small purchase, the difference might only be a few dollars. For appliances, tools, flooring, lumber, or a large outdoor project, shopping around could save quite a bit.
A quick price check at a few of these stores can tell you whether Home Depot really has the better deal—or whether your money would be better spent somewhere else.
