If you‘re in the middle of a big home improvement project involving lumber, getting all that material delivered can save you time and hassle. Lowe‘s is one of the biggest home improvement chains that offers lumber delivery – but what are the fees involved? How does Lowe‘s lumber delivery compare to the competition? And when does it make sense to use the service vs. picking up your lumber order yourself?
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll break down everything you need to know about Lowe‘s lumber delivery, with an emphasis on understanding the fees and how to save the most money. Whether you‘re a DIYer planning a deck build or a contractor supplying a major construction project, read on for our expert tips and insights.
Lowe‘s Delivery Options: An Overview
Before we dive into the specifics around lumber, let‘s take a high-level look at Lowe‘s delivery services. According to Lowe‘s website, they offer several ways to get your order delivered:
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Standard Delivery: Free on most orders over $45. Applies to items under 150 lbs that meet standard size requirements. Typically arrives within 1-4 business days.
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Next Day / 2-Day Delivery: For an additional fee ($19.99 for next day, $8.99 for 2-day), you can expedite arrival of qualifying items under 150 lbs.
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Truck Delivery: Lowe‘s offers scheduled delivery of large items like appliances, riding mowers, and bulk lumber via flatbed truck. Fees start at $79 but are waived on appliance orders over $400.
For lumber orders, truck delivery is going to be the most common option, since dimensional lumber, plywood, and other sheet goods are too large and heavy for standard parcel shipping. In some cases, you may be able to have a small lumber order delivered via standard shipping, but expect most sizeable orders to require truck delivery.
Lowe‘s Lumber Delivery: Fees, Minimums and Scheduling
So what are the costs and requirements for lumber delivery from Lowe‘s? While the exact fees can vary based on your location, here are the key things to know:
Lumber Delivery Fees
Lowe‘s charges a base fee of $79 for truck delivery on lumber orders under $400. For reference, a typical framing lumber package for a 2,000 square foot house costs around $12,000-$16,000, so most lumber deliveries of any significant size will exceed this $400 minimum and qualify for free delivery.
However, there are a couple caveats to this $79 fee waiver:
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It only applies to lumber delivered from Lowe‘s retail locations, not their distribution centers. Larger lumber orders that have to come from a DC will still incur the $79 delivery fee.
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The $79 fee waiver doesn‘t apply to special order items. So if you‘re ordering lumber that Lowe‘s doesn‘t typically stock in-store, you may have to pay the delivery charge even if your order exceeds $400.
Added Delivery Fees for Lumber
In addition to the base $79 delivery fee (if applicable), Lowe‘s also charges for certain labor involved with delivering lumber:
- $1/bundle to bring shingles into the garage or to a second floor (free if delivering to a job site)
- $2/sheet to bring drywall into a job site location
Minimum Lumber Order for Delivery
Officially, Lowe‘s requires a minimum order of $45 for free standard shipping. However, most lumber orders will need to be delivered via truck due to size and weight. Lowe‘s does not publish a minimum order size for lumber truck delivery, but many customers report that the minimum can vary by location – typically $200-$500. Your best bet is to contact your local Lowe‘s Pro Services desk for the specifics in your area.
Scheduling and Lead Times
In most cases, Lowe‘s can deliver lumber via truck within 1-2 business days, though larger orders or those requiring distribution center fulfillment may take 3-5 business days. You will be able to select your preferred delivery date at checkout, and Lowe‘s will confirm that date or suggest alternatives if your preference isn‘t available.
Lowe‘s truck delivery operates Monday-Friday during normal business hours. Exact delivery windows will depend on your local store‘s delivery schedule and routes. The day before delivery, Lowe‘s will contact you with a estimated 2-4 hour arrival window. Make sure you‘ll have someone on-site to receive and inspect the delivery during that window.
Lowe‘s vs. The Competition: Comparing Lumber Delivery
To really understand how Lowe‘s stacks up, let‘s take a look at how their lumber delivery offering compares to some of the other major players in this space:
Home Depot
Lowe‘s biggest competitor, Home Depot, offers very similar options when it comes to lumber delivery. Their fees and policies closely mirror Lowe‘s:
- $79 flat rate delivery fee, waived on orders over $400
- $45 minimum order for shipping through standard parcel carriers
- Deliveries typically made within 1-2 business days via flatbed truck
- Added fees for bringing shingles into garage/house or drywall into job site
Since Lowe‘s and Home Depot‘s delivery offerings are so similar, it usually makes sense to go with whichever retailer offers the better lumber price or has the materials you need in-stock and ready to ship the soonest. Getting a quote from both can also provide some negotiating leverage.
Local Lumber Yards
Depending on where you live, your local independent lumber yard may offer more attractive delivery options than the big box stores. Potential advantages of local lumber yards include:
- Lower or no minimum order sizes for delivery
- Faster delivery turnaround times, often same-day
- No added fees for garage/in-home delivery
- More knowledgeable drivers that can help unload/stack lumber
Of course, all of this depends greatly on the specific lumber yard. In some cases, local outfits may have higher lumber prices or delivery fees than Lowe‘s. But for LTL (less than truckload) lumber orders in particular, checking with local yards is definitely worth doing.
Delivery Services
There are also a growing number of third-party delivery services, like GoShare and TaskRabbit, that can be used for lumber delivery. These services allow you to hire a driver with a truck or trailer to pick up your lumber order from Lowe‘s and deliver it to your job site or residence.
Potential benefits of using a service like this for Lowe‘s lumber delivery include:
- Increased scheduling flexibility, including nights and weekends
- Ability to handle very small loads without minimum order sizes
- Option to hire delivery help by the hour to assist with unloading/stacking
The downside is that fees for these services can add up quickly, especially if you‘re outside the standard delivery radius for your local Lowe‘s store. In most cases, you‘d be better off going with Lowe‘s own truck delivery. But for very small orders or tight turnarounds, a third-party delivery service may be worth considering.
Saving Money on Lowe‘s Lumber Delivery Fees
Looking to keep costs down on your next lumber delivery from Lowe‘s? Here are our top tips:
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Meet the $400 minimum. The easiest way to avoid Lowe‘s $79 delivery fee is to ensure your order meets the $400 minimum for free truck delivery. If your order is just shy of that amount, consider adding a few extra pieces of lumber to bump it over the threshold.
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Get multiple quotes. As mentioned, Lowe‘s biggest competitor Home Depot offers very similar lumber delivery options and fees. Getting quotes from both retailers (and any local lumber yards) allows you to compare total costs and use competitor pricing as leverage to negotiate a better deal.
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Pick up some items yourself. To reduce your delivery costs on smaller lumber orders, consider picking up some items in-store yourself and having the bulkier pieces delivered. This can help keep you under the $79 delivery fee minimum while still saving you some trips in your own vehicle.
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Avoid special order and DC delivery items. Remember, special order lumber and items coming from Lowe‘s distribution centers will still incur the $79 delivery fee, even if you meet the $400 order minimum. Sticking with in-stock items delivered from your local store is the surest way to avoid delivery charges.
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Consolidate your deliveries. If you‘re working on a big project, try to consolidate your lumber orders into fewer, larger deliveries vs. many small ones. This tactic will make it easier to meet that $400 minimum each time while also reducing the number of $79 base fees you could potentially incur.
Lowe‘s Lumber Delivery: Weighing the Pros and Cons
Clearly, there are significant advantages to having your lumber delivered from Lowe‘s – but there are some potential drawbacks to keep in mind as well. Here‘s a quick summary of the major pros and cons:
Pros
– Convenience: No need to load/transport heavy, unwieldy lumber items yourself
– Time savings: Even with a truck, multiple trips to the store can take all day. Delivery frees up that time for other priorities.
– Larger vehicle not needed: Many DIYers and contractors can get by with a small truck or van for most jobs. Lumber delivery means you don‘t have to own or rent a larger vehicle.
– Free on larger orders: If your order meets the $400 minimum, you can take advantage of free delivery – a substantial savings.
Cons
– Fees for smaller orders: At $79 for many deliveries under $400, costs can really add up on smaller lumber orders. In-store pickup may be more economical.
– Potential damage: Any time lumber is being loaded, transported, and unloaded, there‘s a potential for damage. Dents, dings, and breaks do occasionally happen.
– Delivery window: You‘ll need to be on-site to receive the lumber delivery and verify your order is correct. This can be disruptive to already busy job site or DIY project schedules.
– Less ability to hand-select pieces: One of the benefits of in-store lumber buying is the ability to sort through the stack and pick the straightest, nicest pieces. With delivery, you get what you get.
What Do Customers Say About Lowe‘s Lumber Delivery?
Wondering about real-world experiences with Lowe‘s lumber delivery? We combed through dozens of online customer reviews to see what actual users had to say.
On the positive side, many customers praise Lowe‘s lumber delivery as being prompt, convenient, and a significant time-saver. Customers seem especially happy with the quality of lumber selected by Lowe‘s associates for delivery, with many noting that they received straight, defect-free pieces.
Negative reviews tend to focus on a few key issues:
- Inconsistent or inaccurate fee information from Lowe‘s staff
- Deliveries that were incorrectly filled or missing items
- Longer-than-expected lead times on certain orders
- Difficulty arranging delivery time windows around work/job site schedules
Overall though, the majority of reviews are positive, suggesting that Lowe‘s is meeting customer expectations for lumber delivery in most cases. Just be sure to verify the specifics on fees and delivery windows for your particular order and location.
Alternative Options for Lumber Delivery
What if Lowe‘s lumber delivery isn‘t going to work for your situation? There are a few other potential paths to consider:
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Hire a third-party delivery service. As mentioned, on-demand delivery providers like GoShare can be a flexible (if pricey) option for lumber transport. Other local operators may offer lumber delivery services as well – check your area.
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Rent a truck. For a very large lumber order, renting a flatbed truck for the day and making the pickups/dropoffs yourself may prove more economical than paying delivery fees. Bonus: you can ensure your lumber is properly loaded and secured.
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Use a lumber-specific delivery service. In some larger markets, there are now lumber yards that specialize in on-demand lumber delivery. They can often get smaller loads delivered to your job site same-day with competitive pricing.
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Check your local lumber yards. As mentioned, many locally-owned lumber suppliers offer their own delivery services, which may prove faster, cheaper, and more flexible than Lowe‘s in some cases. Always get a quote from any yards in your area.
When Lowe‘s Lumber Delivery Makes Sense (And When It Doesn‘t)
So when should you opt for Lowe‘s lumber delivery, and when is it better to go a different route? While every situation is different, here are some general guidelines:
Lowe‘s lumber delivery is a great option if:
- Your order is over $400 (to get free delivery)
- You need lumber ASAP and your local store has inventory
- You don‘t have a suitable vehicle for lumber transport
- Your job site/residence is within Lowe‘s standard delivery radius
Consider other options if:
- Your lumber order is well under $400
- Your timeline is flexible and you‘re able to shop around
- You have the ability to transport the lumber yourself
- You want to hand-select lumber pieces for quality/straightness
Ultimately, it pays to weigh your options carefully and gather multiple quotes. But for many home improvement projects and job site situations, Lowe‘s lumber delivery offers a convenient, cost-effective way to get the materials you need without a huge time investment.
The Bottom Line on Lowe‘s Lumber Delivery
Lumber is an essential component of so many home improvement and construction projects – but getting it to your job site can be a pain. Lowe‘s lumber delivery aims to ease that hassle with a straightforward, fairly-priced delivery service that can get you the materials you need within a day or two in most cases.
While there are some potential fees to navigate, Lowe‘s does offer free delivery on all lumber orders over $400 – a welcome savings. And with a bit of smart shopping and consolidation of orders, you can avoid most extra charges beyond that.
So the next time you‘re staring down a big decking, framing, or sheathing job, consider letting Lowe‘s take care of the heavy lifting (literally). With the right planning and a little comparison shopping, you can keep your lumber delivery fees to a minimum while keeping your project humming along on schedule.
