Complete Guide to Lowes Home Improvement Stores and Services

Introduction to Lowes Home Improvement

Lowes is one of the most popular home improvement retail chains in the United States. With over 2,000 stores across North America, Lowes offers a wide selection of products for home repairs, renovations, maintenance, and decorating. From appliances to tools, lumber to paint, Lowes aims to be a one-stop-shop for all things home improvement.

The company was founded in 1921 by Lucius Smith Lowe in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. What started as a small hardware store grew over the decades into the retail giant it is today. In 1946, Lowes went public and continued expanding by acquiring other regional home improvement chains. By the late 1990s, Lowes had established itself as one of the key national players in the home improvement industry.

Lowes Product Offerings

Walk into any Lowes location and you'll find a huge selection of home improvement products across a variety of departments, including:

• Appliances like refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, washers and dryers
• Tools like power drills, saws, wrenches, tool sets, ladders, and work benches
• Hardware like screws, nuts, bolts, fasteners, keys, padlocks, and picture hanging supplies
• Lumber, plywood, composite wood, and molding
• Paint, stains, brushes, rollers, caulk, patching compounds
• Flooring including tile, vinyl, laminate, hardwoods, carpeting
• Plumbing supplies like pipes, fittings, valves, faucets, water heaters
• Electrical products including wire, breakers, outlets, switches, lighting
• Bath fixtures such as toilets, sinks, showers, bathtubs, vanities
• Outdoor living products like fencing, decking, patio furniture, grills
• Gardening tools, soil, fertilizer, plants, planters, hoses
• Kitchen and bath cabinets, countertops, backsplashes

This wide selection allows both DIYers and professional contractors to find everything they need for their home improvement projects all under one roof.

Lowes Private Brands

In addition to name brand appliances, tools, and building materials, Lowes also carries several private label brands exclusive to Lowes stores. These include:

• Kobalt - Power and hand tools, tool storage
• Project Source - Bath fixtures, cabinetry, flooring
• Allen + Roth - Window treatments, furniture, lighting
• Blue Hawk - Tool storage, electrical, hardware
• Garden Treasures - Outdoor furniture, umbrellas, planters
• Portfolio - Lighting, ceiling fans, home decor
• Utilitech - Electrical, HVAC, plumbing supplies
• Harbor Breeze - Ceiling fans, lighting

Lowes private label brands offer value-priced alternatives to big name brands across many home improvement categories.

Lowes Services

In addition to home improvement products, Lowes also offers a variety of services for customers including:

Installation Services

Lowes provides professional installation services for many big ticket home improvement projects. This includes installation of major appliances, flooring, cabinets and countertops, fencing, and decking. Lowe's installers are thoroughly vetted, background checked, licensed, and insured to provide quality installation services.

In-Home Project Consultations

For large home renovation projects, Lowes offers in-home Project Consultations. A Project Specialist will come to your home, assess the space and project, take measurements, and provide a detailed project quote including estimated costs for materials, labor and installation services.

Delivery Services

Lowes offers delivery services for major appliances, bulky items, and large orders. Customers can choose from standard delivery, or white glove delivery which includes haul away of old items, installation, and basic recycling services.

Tool Rental

Lowes operates tool rental centers within many stores offering DIYers and contractors access to professional grade tools and equipment for short term rentals. This includes items like demolition hammers, concrete saws, carpet cleaners, trenchers, floor sanders, and more.

Special Order Kiosks

For hard to find items, custom or special order products, Lowes offers Special Order Kiosks in stores. Products can be ordered at the kiosk and shipped directly to your home or the store for pickup.

Lowes App and Online Services

Beyond brick and mortar stores, Lowes provides a variety of online and mobile apps to aid customers with home improvement projects:

Lowes App

The Lowes app allows customers to shop Lowes’ full product inventory, access their Lowes card and savings, get store maps showing exact product locations, and make easy online purchases for in-store pickup or delivery. Customers can also book installation services and manage existing bookings via the app.

Lowes Project Calculator

The Project Calculator app lets users input project dimensions to determine the exact materials and supplies needed to complete the job. The app calculates how much paint, flooring, siding, drywall, landscaping materials and more you need to purchase.

Lowes Vision

Lowes Vision uses augmented reality to let customers visualize products in their own home. Users can virtually place items like appliances, flooring, and decor in their space before purchasing to see how it looks.

Lowes Plant Finder

The Plant Finder helps users find planting solutions customized to their zip code. Just input your location and Plant Finder will returnoptimal plants, trees and shrubs for your climate zone and growing conditions.

Lowes Credit Cards and Financing

Lowes offers consumers different financing and credit options for completing major home projects and purchases including:

Lowes Store Card

The Lowes Store Card provides 5% off every day purchases and 6 month special financing on purchases of $299 or more. The card can be used for any product purchases at Lowes and never expires.

Lowes Consumer Card

The Lowes Consumer Card offers 3% cash back on Lowes purchases and no annual fee. It also provides 5% off specialty credit promotions and 60 days no interest on purchases of $299 or more.

Lowes Business Card

The Lowes Business Card offers 5% back in rewards on the first $25,000 in purchases annually and no personal guarantee is required. Businesses can earn rewards on purchases made at any Lowes store nationwide or LowesForPros.com.

Lowes Project Loan

The Lowes Project Loan provides fixed monthly payment plans and set repayment terms for financing large home improvement projects between $500 and $100,000. Loan payments can be spread over 6 months to 7 years depending on the loan amount.

Lowes for Pros & Contractors

In addition to DIY and homeowner customers, Lowes also caters to professional contractors through their Lowes For Pros loyalty program. Benefits for pros include:

• Volume pricing discounts
• Jobsite delivery
• Dedicated pro checkout lanes
• Exclusive pro offers and rebates
• Lowes For Pros credit card

Lowes For Pros allows contractors to manage business accounts and track project expenses across all their job sites while taking advantage of Lowe’s national purchasing power for big savings.

The Future of Lowes

Looking ahead, Lowes remains focused on serving home improvement customers across every channel whether in-store, online, or on mobile devices. Lowes continues enhancing services like installation, delivery, and home consultations to remove project friction points. The company is also using data and technology to customize offerings and recommendations to each customer. With over 95 years of home improvement experience, Lowes is poised to be a leader in home DIY, decor, repairs, and renovations for decades to come.

FAQs

What days and hours is Lowes open?

Most Lowes stores are open 7 days a week from 6:00am to 10:00pm. Store hours can vary by location, so check your local store page for exact hours.

Does Lowes offer any military or senior discounts?

Yes, Lowes offers a 10% military discount for active duty and veterans. They also offer a 10% senior discount for shoppers aged 60 or older.

What is the return and exchange policy at Lowes?

Lowes accepts returns and exchanges within 90 days of purchase with a valid receipt. Some restrictions apply for special order items. Items can be returned or exchanged at any local Lowes store.

Does Lowes price match with competitors?

Lowes offers an everyday competitive price match guarantee. If you find a lower advertised price from Home Depot or another local competitor, Lowes will match the price at the point of sale.

How long is the installation warranty from Lowes?

Lowes provides a 1-year limited warranty on installation services for defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty covers repair or replacement of defective installations.