The Home Depot and Lowe’s Lumber Return Policies Detailed

The Home Depot Lumber Return Policy

The Home Depot generally allows lumber returns within 180 days. However, if you used The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card, you have 365 days from the purchase date to make a return for a full refund. This aligns with the company’s standard return policy.^[1]

We researched contacted The Home Depot locations in California, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, and North Carolina; the locations we spoke to all observe the corporate policy.

Requirements

To return lumber at The Home Depot, it must be in new condition with the Universal Product Code (UPC) label attached. You’ll need to show the original receipt; if you don’t have it, the store may accept your return, but at the discretion of management.

There are no exceptions to the return policy for lumber, and the lumber return time frame is not extended during the holiday season.

Returns or cancellations of special order lumber may have a 15% restocking fee. Additionally, if you made a special order, you must return it to the store of the original purchase.^[1]

If you receive a lumber order that is incomplete or damaged, contact The Home Depot customer service at (800) 430-3376 within 30 days of delivery for assistance.

Return Process

To return lumber to any The Home Depot store, take the lumber, receipt, and your valid driver’s license or government-issued photo ID to the customer service counter. Your ID is required for The Home Depot’s third-party refund verification system; all returns are subject to the system’s approval.

To return lumber you purchased online, you should call customer support at (800) 430-3376 to start the process and schedule a free UPS pickup.^[1]

Note that The Home Depot also tracks non-receipted returns and returns from original purchases made with store credit.^[1]

Refunds

Returns with the receipt will usually receive a full refund to the original form of payment. However, if you purchased the lumber with a gift card or store credit, your refund will be in the form of store credit.

Note that returns that total more than $1,000 may be refunded via a check from The Home Depot corporate office. The check will mail to you within 10 business days.^[1]

If you’re missing the receipt, it’s been fewer than 30 days since the purchase, and you paid with a credit card, debit card, or check, the store might be able to look it up. The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card receipts may also be available in the system for up to one year. Without any record of purchase, you’ll receive a store credit for the lowest advertised price of the lumber you return.^[1]

Be sure to bring your current government-issued photo ID to register your store credit. (Only the person who makes the return can use the credit.) The Home Depot will refund shipping costs for items that are returned due to an error on the part of the company, with the exception of Express Delivery.^[1]

Lowe’s Lumber Return Policy

At Lowe’s, you can return or exchange new, unused lumber for a full refund within 90 days with the original proof of purchase. Lowe’s Advantage cardholders who paid with their card have up to 365 days from purchase to make returns.^[2]

We called Lowe’s locations in Colorado, Florida, New York, Ohio, and Oregon; all of the stores we spoke with follow the corporate policy.

Requirements

All Lowe’s returns must be approved by the verification system, and the company tracks returns with no receipt. If you don’t have a receipt, the store may refuse your return.^[2]

Lowe’s lumber return policy has no exceptions, and the lumber return time frame is the same during the holiday season. Note that special orders may require a 20% restocking fee.^[2]

You should call Lowe’s customer service at (800) 445-6937 within three days of your lumber delivery to report incomplete or damaged product.

Return Process

Take the lumber you want to return, your receipt, and your valid photo ID (e.g., state driver’s license, state ID card, or military ID) to a Lowe’s customer service counter.^[2]

If you used a credit card or check to make the original purchase, or if you have a MyLowe’s account, your receipt may be accessible in the system.^[2]

If you purchased the lumber on Lowes.com, the order came with a prepaid merchandise return slip. Place only the item listed on the prepaid return slip into a sturdy shipping package with the original packing materials. Include the completed return slip with the return. Addresses in the U.S. are eligible for no-charge pickup, which you can arrange by calling Lowe’s customer service at (800) 445-6937.

Refunds

Depending on your payment method, if you have the original receipt, Lowe’s will exchange the lumber, refund it in cash, credit your account, or provide a refund via store credit. Returns made with a gift card or store credit will be refunded with store credit.^[2]

Lowe’s won’t refund the original shipping charges for returned lumber. Additionally, if you make a return without a receipt and it is not denied, you may receive an in-store credit for the item’s current selling price rather than a full refund to the original payment method.^[2]