If you’re looking for a flooring contractor, you’ve probably considered The Home Depot and Lowe’s, two major retailers that offer flooring installation.
One of the biggest decisions you will make when replacing the flooring in your home is whether to hire a reputable contractor. Finding the right company for the job can mean the difference between long-lasting floors that bring you joy and ongoing problems and replacements.
This guide details the differences in flooring options, pricing, and customer service available at The Home Depot and Lowe’s, so you can decide which one is best for your project.
Lowe’s vs. The Home Depot Overview
Lowe’s and Home Depot are the nation’s largest home improvement retailers, and both offer flooring installation through local subcontractor flooring companies.
These companies offer similar flooring options in that they house all the types of flooring you can think of from the biggest brands. There is a nearly identical process for measuring and installing flooring, and both offer project management.
According to customer reviews, customer service and communication are issues for both providers. However, the problem is location dependent and has more to do with third party installers than anything else. Home Depot seems to have better overall ratings, but with both companies, your experience will vary by branch and subcontractor.
Buy flooring from Home Depot
Lowe’s vs. The Home Depot: Flooring Types and Costs
Lowe’s and Home Depot are both great choices if you’re looking for:
- carpeted
- Vinyl flooring (LVP/LVT)
- laminate
- Hardwood/artificial wood
- tile
For carpet, vinyl flooring, and laminate flooring, you can often save money by using private or proprietary brands such as STAINMASTER from Lowe’s or LifeProof from Home Depot.
Lowe’s is a major retailer of the Style Selections brand, and The Home Depot owns the Home Decorator’s Collection brand, so if you’re looking for wood or engineered wood flooring, you can often save money with them.
Keep in mind that initial costs aren’t the only thing to consider.
“One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is choosing price over quality,” said Augustine Wadian, CEO of Premier Home Pros, an Ohio-based home improvement company. “Cheap flooring may look the same at first, but thinner boards and low-wear layers can quickly wear out and lead to peeling, fading, and damage, which can cost more in the long run.”
We have taken prices from both companies’ websites for easy comparison, but please note that these are just estimates. Home Depot prices are taken from a price guide, while Lowe’s prices are taken from the company’s flooring cost estimates and use 100 square feet of living space as an example. There are many other factors besides materials that can affect the total.
| Types of flooring | Lowe’s Cost (per square foot) | home depot cost (per square foot) |
|---|---|---|
| carpet | $3.88–$6.62 | $2 to $4.50 |
| LVP or LVT | $2.29–$4.29 | $2 – $6 |
| laminate | $1.44–$3.99 | $3.80 – $4.80 |
| Hardwood/artificial wood | $2.99–$6.89 | $6-$7 |
| tile | $0.99–$3.49 | $9 – $10 |
carpet
Carpet is one of the most affordable flooring materials and is usually ideal for bedrooms and low-traffic living areas where leaks and spills are not a big concern.
Carpet prices range from $3.88 to $6.62 per square foot at Lowe’s and $2 to $4.50 per square foot at The Home Depot.
vinyl flooring
Vinyl flooring is prized for its versatility, as it not only withstands foot traffic in living areas, but also performs well in areas where water and moisture are an issue, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
Vinyl flooring is estimated to cost between $2.29 and $4.29 per square foot at Lowe’s and between $2 and $6 per square foot at Home Depot.
“Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) always adds strong value to homes because it combines high-end aesthetics with low maintenance and durability,” Wadian added.
laminate flooring
Most homeowners agree that laminate flooring doesn’t look as good as other options, but it’s affordable and water-resistant. As a result, they more commonly occur in low-traffic areas, such as utility rooms and laundry rooms.
Laminate flooring costs between $1.44 and $3.99 per square foot at Lowe’s and between $3.80 and $4.80 per square foot at Home Depot.
Hardwood and engineered wood
Hardwood or engineered wood floors create a natural, beautiful, and traditional look. This type of floor doesn’t like being exposed to moisture or water, making it ideal for main living areas and bedrooms.
Average prices for these floors range from $2.99 to $6.89 per square foot at Lowe’s and $6 to $7 per square foot at The Home Depot.
“Hardwoods and high-quality engineered woods add value because they are classic, familiar, and appealing to almost everyone,” says Lori Evans, co-owner of Florida-based architectural and interior design contractor Evans Construction and Design. “They’ve been around forever for a reason.”
tile
Tiles are the most common flooring option for kitchens and bathrooms because they are highly resistant to water and moisture. Tile prices range from $0.99 to $3.49 per square foot at Lowe’s and $9 to $10 per square foot at Home Depot.
Please note that large price differences may be due to room preparation and ground preparation. It’s unclear if Lowe’s includes this in their quote.
Lowe’s vs. The Home Depot: Installation
Whether you choose Lowe’s or The Home Depot to install your flooring, the installation process is pretty much the same, with a few minor differences.
How the installation works
Here’s a quick breakdown of the installation process with both providers.
- Measurements: To determine how much flooring you need, you’ll first need to have your space professionally measured. Lowe’s uses in-house personnel to take measurements, while The Home Depot outsources to a local flooring specialist. Lowe’s doesn’t charge a fee for this process, but The Home Depot charges a non-refundable $35 fee.
- Formal quote: You will then receive a detailed estimate for your project, including material and labor costs.
- install: Once you approve the estimate, a Lowe’s or The Home Depot representative will act as an intermediary between you and the local flooring company assigned to your project to schedule the installation.
How much does installation cost?
Installation costs vary widely depending on a variety of factors, the most important being the type of flooring being installed. Lowe’s estimates prices can range between $0.99 and $6.89 per square foot, and The Home Depot estimates prices between $2 and $10 per square foot. These numbers include material costs and labor.
Who installs the flooring
Lowe’s and The Home Depot both subcontract the actual installation work to local flooring companies, so neither provider has an in-house team of contractors.
Unfortunately, the quality of installation and the quality of customer service you receive throughout the process is highly dependent on the specific company handling your flooring project.
Lowe’s vs. The Home Depot: Availability
Both Lowe’s and The Home Depot have a national presence, with stores in all 50 states and Washington, DC. The local contractors used to install your flooring will vary depending on your location.
Lowe’s vs. The Home Depot: Review
The table below provides a quick breakdown of available third-party reviews for Lowe’s and The Home Depot.
Keep in mind that Better Business Bureau (BBB) and TrustPilot customer review scores are for the entire retail store and are not specific to flooring installation.
| Third party review site | lowe’s | of home depot |
|---|---|---|
| BBB rating | A+ | A+ |
| BBB customer rating | 1.1 stars | 1.14 |
| TrustPilot evaluation | 1.4 stars | 1.7 stars |
Home Depot’s website features reviews about its flooring installation, many of which are positive about the professionalism of the workers assigned to the project and the affordability of the service. I also read some reviews on Reddit, but the reviews are a little more mixed. Some customers complain about poor installation quality. But again, it depends on the location.
Lowe’s website doesn’t have any reviews specifically about the flooring, but I was able to find some customer reviews and testimonials on Reddit. Reviews are mixed. Some customers appreciate the affordable price and believe it’s a good value, while others say the quality of the installation and materials is lacking.
Lowe’s vs. The Home Depot: Which is Right for You?
Both Lowe’s and The Home Depot have national locations and install all common flooring types and outsource the installation work to local flooring companies. Your experience depends more on the installer assigned to your project than the retailer you choose.
However, after reading reviews online from past customers and subcontractors who work with the company, The Home Depot seems a little more positive, so we recommend The Home Depot. It’s still possible to run into quality or customer service issues, but the risk seems to be higher at Lowe’s.
How does USA TODAY rate flooring companies?
We evaluate flooring companies based on the following criteria:
- Flooring options also available
- Pricing and cost transparency
- Will you outsource your workforce or complete the installation in-house?
- Measuring and installation process for flooring materials
- Online ratings from BBB, TrustPilot and third party sites
- Customer sentiment derived from reviews
We read as many reviews as possible about each flooring company we evaluate to understand the best- and worst-case scenarios based on the experience you might have and past performance.
FAQ
Which has better flooring prices: The Home Depot or Lowe’s?
Lowe’s has lower prices for overall flooring installation services, ranging from $0.99 to $6.89 per square foot, while The Home Depot ranges from $2 to $10 per square foot.
Carpet is cheaper at Home Depot. Again, these numbers are just estimates from retailers, and your actual costs may vary even more depending on the type of flooring you choose, the condition of your subfloor, the complexity of your room, and more.
Which store is better for flooring: Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Costco?
We recommend The Home Depot, especially if you want to save money on store-only products like Lifeproof flooring. However, it’s important to note that all three companies subcontract the installation work to local flooring companies, so it may differ from what you read in online reviews.
The Home Depot and Lowe’s have their own products available, but Costco doesn’t have the products or the labor in-house.
Do the prices at The Home Depot and Lowe’s match?
Both Home Depot and Lowe’s offer price matching on materials, but not on flooring installation work or other professional services. We may be able to adjust the price of the flooring required for your project, but it does not include labor costs. Price match is not available for products that are exclusive to certain stores, such as LifeProof Flooring or STAINMASTER Flooring.
