I Asked a Contractor and Other Experts What I Should Never Buy at Home Depot: Here’s What They Said
Written by
Josephine Nesbit
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Jenna Klaverweiden
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When you have a weekend project or quick fix around the house, Home Depot is usually the first stop. You can grab just about anything you need in one trip, but not everything is worth your money.
According to contractors and other experts, here are several items you shouldn’t buy at Home Depot.
Also see six Home Depot shopping hacks to try in 2025.
Cabinetry
It’s tempting to grab a kitchen setup straight from the store, but contractors warned that it might not be the best move.
“I highly recommend you reach out to a local cabinetry dealer that offers in-house design services,” Thomas Borcherding, residential remodeling contractor and owner of Homestar Design Remodel, wrote in an email. “Personally, I believe that Home Depot’s cabinetry services leave much to be desired in terms of both design and build quality.”
Home Appliances
Home Depot sells most major and small home appliances. Sometimes, you can even purchase them in a bundle for a great deal. But its refund policy for major appliances is a little less than desired.
“I strongly discourage the purchasing of appliances from Home Depot,” Borcherding said. “Home Depot only offers a 48-hour return window for appliances. This is not long enough for most people to discover defects that may be present with their appliances.”
Ready-Made Doors and Windows
Home Depot sells a variety of ready-to-install doors and windows, but it doesn’t mean they’ll fit your specific door or window opening. An improperly fitted door or window can lead to drafts, energy loss and moisture buildup.
“I have consistently advised our clients that the very last thing I recommend they buy from Home Depot is ready-made doors and windows,” Wes True, general manager at Pella Windows & Doors of Omaha and Lincoln, wrote in an email. “They are made to fit ‘most’ openings, but very few homes have square windows (or average sizes), particularly in older properties.”
True has also witnessed customers fall for a great deal only to end up spending hundreds of dollars more when alterations are necessary during the installation process. “Note that air leakage from a poorly fitting door or window can account for a significant annual cost required to heat and cool your home, not to mention water issues,” he added.
True recommended partnering with an established local dealer or a custom millwork shop to take measurements and then build and install doors and windows according to blueprints.
Flooring
You can find flooring at Home Depot, but you’re more likely to find higher-quality materials from local companies.
“There is no need to make flooring purchases from a national chain when dozens of locally-owned, high-quality flooring dealers exist around you,” Borcherding advised. “Flooring installers, due to the grueling nature of the trade itself, often retire from installation and instead open up their own flooring showroom as flooring dealers.”
Paint
“I always advise contractors, colleagues, friends and even enemies, avoid the paint at Home Depot. Interior, exterior, deck stain, it doesn’t matter, just stay away from the coatings,” explained Dan Shirley, owner of handyman company Chicago Handyman.
According to Shirley, Home Depot has products that offer a one-and-done finish, but they often leave streaks or have poor adhesion, bad color matching, faulty cures, excessive cleanup and poor durability.
“I have tried every price point and it’s always the same — the paint is too thin and it is runny. It flicks and drips everywhere,” he said. “Compared to professional paint, it doesn’t load well onto your brush or roller, increasing your labor time. The paint does not level out well when applied with a brush, so streaky finishes will be your new housemate.”
He recommended using Benjamin Moore for decks, interiors and exteriors, and asking the counter about economy or contractor-grade paints for better quality.
Fixtures
“As a professional design-build firm, we only purchase incidentals like caulking, hardware, tapes, tarps, etc. from Home Depot,” wrote Gregg Cantor, president and CEO of Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel in San Diego. “The quality of Home Depot fixtures, specifically plumbing, appliances, cabinets, doors, windows and flooring, is not the same as what we buy from wholesale suppliers.”
Cantor pointed out that manufacturers often have exclusive models or products for big-box stores, made with cheaper materials and a shorter life span and warranty, which are offered at a lower price point.
“For DIY or rental properties, Home Depot may be a fit. I recommend always checking model numbers and specifications to make an informed decision,” Cantor said.
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