As a contractor, maximizing your savings and profits is always top of mind. After all, the more you can save on materials and supplies, the more competitive your bids can be and the more money ends up in your pocket. When it comes to stocking up for your projects, Lowe‘s offers an array of special discounts, bulk pricing, and exclusive programs to help Pros like you save big. But with so many options, it can be tricky to keep track of the best ways to save.
To help you navigate the savings, I‘ve put together the ultimate guide to Lowe‘s contractor discounts and pricing. I‘ll break down each of Lowe‘s Pro offerings in detail, share insider tips I‘ve gathered from veteran contractors, and compare how Lowe‘s stacks up to the other big dogs in home improvement retail. So let‘s dive in and make sure you‘re getting the most bang for your buck on every Lowe‘s run.
Lowe‘s Volume Savings Program
One of the best ways contractors can unlock savings at Lowe‘s is through the Volume Savings Program. In a nutshell, the more you buy, the more you save. Here‘s how it works:
For any purchase of $1,500 or more, head to the Pro desk at your local Lowe‘s (or call up the Pro support line) and request a quote for your large order. The Lowe‘s Pro services team will then work up a specialized quote for you based on the size of your order, offering tiered discounts that get bigger the more you spend.
These Volume Savings quotes are valid for 7 days, giving you some time to compare prices and make a decision. Keep in mind that the actual discount percentage may vary by store and region. But in general, most contractors can expect to save anywhere from 5-20% off standard retail prices, depending on the size of the order and the particular products.
While $1,500 is the official minimum to request a Volume Savings quote, the Lowe‘s Pro team has been known to extend smaller discounts for lower volume buys as well, so it never hurts to ask. Especially if there are certain items you find yourself buying over and over again, talk to your Pro rep to see if you can negotiate a long-term special rate, even if your individual orders don‘t quite hit that $1,500 mark.
Lowe‘s Contractor Packs
If you‘re not ready to commit to a massive bulk purchase but still want to stock up and save, check out Lowe‘s Contractor Packs. These value-sized packages are tailored to Pros, featuring larger quantities of essential supplies at a discounted bundle price.
Contractor packs are especially great for loading up on construction staples you‘re constantly burning through, like nails, screws, gloves, masks, and so on. Eaisily spotted by their bright yellow and black packaging, these packs shave down the per-unit cost while still allowing you to buy in more manageable amounts.
For example, a 5 lb box of 3-inch exterior nails might run you $25 off the shelf. But buy that same box as part of a contractor pack and you could get it for $15-20 instead. It may not seem like massive savings, but it adds up quickly when you‘re going through pounds and pounds of essentials like these.
Lowe‘s stocks their shelves with dozens of different contractor packs spanning all sorts of Pro supplies, from drill bits to sandpaper to cleaning solutions. Most are geared towards construction and remodeling, but you can find value packs for other trades as well, like electrical, plumbing, paint, drywall, and more.
Lowe‘s For Pros Loyalty Program
If Lowe‘s is your go-to spot for supplies, it‘s definitely worth signing up for a Lowe‘s For Pros membership. This free loyalty program hooks Pros up with a bunch of special perks, discounts, and services to make your shopping experience faster, easier and more affordable.
Once enrolled, you‘ll score benefits like:
- Dedicated Pro parking & loading zones to get you in and out quicker
- Exclusive Pros-only discounts delivered straight to your inbox
- Volume Savings eligibility on large orders
- Access to the Lowe‘s Pro app to track purchases, review pricing, and create custom catalogs
- 5% off Lowe‘s gift cards to give your crew or clients
- Flexible payment options with 30-day terms and revolving credit lines
- A designated Lowe‘s Pro Account Specialist to serve as your single point of contact
All of these benefits are available at no cost – all you need to do is fill out a quick online application to get started. There‘s no official minimum spend required to qualify. But keep in mind that the program is really designed for Pros who are frequently shopping Lowe‘s and spending at least a few hundred bucks per month. The more you shop, the more value you‘ll get out of a Lowe‘s For Pros membership.
More Ways to Save: Price Matching, Sales & Clearance
Beyond these contractor-specific programs, there are a few other savings strategies that every Lowe‘s shopper should have in their toolkit:
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Price matching: Lowe‘s will match the price of any competitor on an identical in-stock item, including online retailers like Amazon. Just show proof of the lower price at checkout and they‘ll match it, no questions asked. A great way to always get the best deal without a ton of extra legwork.
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Weekly ads & promos: Every week, Lowe‘s drops a new set of sales, promos and rebates in their Weekly Ad. Even if you‘re not project shopping, it‘s worth checking in to see if any of your essentials are on special and stock up to save.
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End of season clearance: As the seasons change, Lowe‘s clears out older inventory to make room for new products. This is an awesome opportunity to score huge markdowns on everything from patio furniture to snow blowers. Selection is limited and sells out fast, so you‘ve got to keep your eyes peeled and act quickly.
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Damaged/open-box discounts: You can often find discounted prices on tools, appliances and more that have damaged packaging or have been returned/used as floor models. These items are usually still under warranty and work just fine, so it‘s an easy way to save if you‘re not picky about cosmetics.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, there are tons of ways for savvy contractors to save at Lowe‘s. Between bulk pricing, exclusive Pro perks, rebates, sales, and savvy shopping strategies, you can keep your costs way down and your profits way up.
The key is to be proactive, do your research, and leverage the heck out of every program, discount, and deal available to you. Hopefully this guide has given you a solid launching point to get the most out of your Lowe‘s shopping. Here‘s to powering through your punch list without breaking the bank!
