Self-service is everywhere you look: online, at gas stations and big-box stores, and now at many grocery stores with self-checkout lanes.
You’ll find self-checkout lanes at the biggest home improvement store chains, too. But hardware stores big and small are an exception in that you’ll also find various personal services there.
Following are examples of several services that are free at hardware stores. The services offered by one store can differ from those offered at the next, though — even within the same chain. So, call or check a store’s website to learn what’s offered locally.
Materials estimating
Lowe’s and Home Depot offer online calculators to help you determine the amount of materials you’ll need to buy for an array of projects. Examples include:
- Flooring
- Insulation
- Grass seed
- Mulch
- Paint
- Wallpaper
At smaller hardware stores, you may be able to bring in your project’s written dimensions and ask a staff member to help with planning and estimating materials.
Materials cut to spec
If you don’t have a saw, you can do many DIY tasks and projects by purchasing your materials at a hardware store that cuts things like wood to the lengths you need.
Many hardware stores will cut wood you’ve purchased. Lowe’s also cuts mini blinds, rope and chain to needed sizes. Some Ace Hardware stores cut glass and acrylic sheets.
Both Lowe’s and Ace stores will cut pipe as well as thread it for fittings.
DIY ideas, advice and instructions
Home improvement store chains may have whole libraries of instructions and advice on their websites.
Lowe’s website rivals Martha Stewart’s site for the variety of available project instructions — from installing flooring to building raised garden beds. Other Lowe’s freebies include a virtual deck designer.
Home Depot’s website also has a “DIY Projects and Ideas” section and even DIY digital workshops — videos and step-by-step instructions that walk you through basics ranging from how to use a power drill to how to fix a leaky faucet.
Or, if you’re stuck on a project, try phoning a local hardware store to ask whether you can come in and discuss the problem with an experienced staff member.
Classes
Hardware stores often try to boost sales by offering instruction in using their products.
For example, Home Depot offers how-to workshops in a wide range of topics and categories, as well as workshops for kids.
Paint matching
Hardware stores that sell paint typically will find or create a paint to match any color you like. Lowe’s says it can do this “in a matter of seconds.”
Some Ace Hardware stores also offer computerized paint-color matching. And as part of its Extra Mile Promise, the chain boasts that you can get everything you need for a paint job in a single trip to the store — or else Ace will deliver what you need for free.
Ace’s website also has a free tool called The Paint Studio that allows you to upload photos of your home and see how particular colors would look on your walls.
Recycling
Home Depot and Lowe’s both have partnered with Call2Recycle for years to offer in-store collection of rechargeable batteries for recycling. Lowe’s says that some of its recycling centers accept electronics, cellphones and plastic planter pots as well.
Some hardware stores may also collect compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) for recycling.
Key cutting
Need a copy of a key? A hardware store in your area might offer the service for free with the purchase of a key blank.
Free in-store or curbside pickup
Don’t want to pay for shipping when shopping online? Lowe’s, Home Depot and Ace Hardware all offer options for free in-store or curbside pickup.
Ace says it can have certain in-stock items ready for pickup in 15 minutes at participating stores, as long as the order is placed at least a half hour before closing. When you pick your items, you will need to have your order number, which Ace emails to you, and your photo ID.
Home Depot has a two-hour turnaround for in-store pickup on thousands of eligible items, although more time may be needed to accommodate large orders or items that require assembly. You’ll need the Home Depot app for this option.
Lowe’s offers ship-to-store, curbside and in-store pickup. You’ll need your photo ID, order number and payment card at pickup. Lowe’s also says that you can designate another person to pick up your order, as long as you provide their full name and email address.
Extended returns for plants
Lowe’s will give you up to 90 days to return most plants, but you can get a refund or exchange on any perennial, shrub or tree that you bought at Lowe’s, as long as you have a receipt and it’s within one year of the original purchase date.
At Home Depot, there’s a one-year guarantee on trees, perennials, roses and shrubs, which can be returned for store credit.
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