Getting large or heavy items delivered from Home Depot can save you time and hassle compared to picking them up yourself. But Home Depot doesn’t offer free delivery on all orders – you have to meet a minimum order amount to qualify. So what is that magic number you need to spend to get free shipping from Home Depot?
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Home Depot’s delivery fees and minimums, including:
- Home Depot’s standard delivery fees and minimums
- Exceptions and situations where minimums don’t apply
- Tips for maximizing free delivery from Home Depot
Knowing what to expect for Home Depot shipping costs can help you budget for your project accurately and score free shipping whenever possible. So read on to find out how you can take advantage of free delivery for your next Home Depot purchase.
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What is Home Depot’s Minimum Purchase for Free Delivery?
Home Depot’s minimum purchase amount to qualify for free standard delivery is $45. As long as your order subtotal rings up to at least $45 before taxes and fees, you’ll get free delivery on that order.
This $45 minimum applies to most items purchased on HomeDepot.com and shipped to your home or business. As long as you meet it, it doesn’t matter how many individual items you’re ordering or how large the products are. You can order a single small appliance or twenty bags of mulch – if it totals over $45, you’ll get free delivery.
Some examples of orders that would qualify for free shipping:
- 1 refrigerator: $599
- 5 gallons of paint: $150
- 12 packs of light bulbs: $55
- 1 lawn mower + 3 bags of fertilizer: $47
As you can see, it’s pretty easy to hit that $45 minimum at Home Depot, even if you’re just shopping for a few basic items. The retailer carries such a wide assortment of home improvement, lawn and garden, and tools that most medium-sized orders will qualify.
What If My Order is Under $45?
If your purchase total rings up to less than $45 before taxes and fees, you’ll be charged a standard delivery fee based on your order size:
| Order Subtotal | Delivery Fee |
|---|---|
| Under $45 | $5.99 |
So if your order is $44.97 or less before taxes, you’ll pay a flat $5.99 delivery fee. That fee will cover standard 4-7 business day ground shipping to a home or business address.
While it’s a bummer to miss out on free delivery by just a few dollars, $5.99 is still cheaper than many retailers’ shipping fees. So you’re still getting a good deal overall.
Which Items are Excluded from the Minimum?
Nearly all regular-priced merchandise qualifies for the free delivery minimum if your cart totals over $45. However, some categories are excluded:
- Special order and custom order items
- assemblies
- Installation and professional services
- Extended protection plans
- Gift cards
- Rental equipment
Unfortunately, special order and custom items like windows, doors, cabinets, countertops, and flooring won’t count towards the $45 minimum. Since they have to be made or sourced specially for you, these items incur additional shipping fees. You’ll pay delivery charges on them separately regardless of your overall order value.
Installation, protection plans, gift cards, and equipment rental fees also won’t help you hit the free shipping threshold. Just stick to regular in-stock merchandise, and you should be fine.
When Does Home Depot Offer Free Shipping Without a Minimum?
Home Depot provides free delivery on a few select purchases without requiring a minimum order value:
1. Major Appliance Orders
All major appliance purchases over $396 receive free delivery from Home Depot, regardless of your overall order subtotal. This includes refrigerators, dishwashers, laundry pairs, and other large appliances.
So if you buy a $600 fridge by itself, you’ll get free shipping even though you didn’t meet the $45 minimum. Major appliances are expensive to ship though, so the individual item threshold is higher.
2. Special Buy & Flash Priced Items
Special Buy items are limited-time discounted products that Home Depot highlights on their site. Flash Priced items are extra-discounted for a short period.
Neither Special Buys nor Flash Prices require a minimum purchase for free shipping. As long as you purchase at least one of those items, delivery is free.
This is a great way to get free shipping on smaller, lower-cost purchases. Just look out for Special Buys – they rotate frequently so new deals are always available.
3. Military, First Responder, and Senior Discounts
If you qualify for Home Depot’s Military, First Responder, or Senior Citizen discounts, your minimum order threshold for free delivery drops to just $1.
That’s right – these shoppers get free shipping on literally any order over $1. It’s one of the retailer’s ways of thanking them for their service and loyalty.
So if you or a family member can take advantage of those discounts, you should basically never pay for Home Depot shipping.
4. Online Pickup Orders
Choosing to pick up your purchase at a Home Depot store has no minimum order requirement. You can buy any amount of merchandise online and collect it for free.
This is essentially the same as free curbside pickup at other retailers. And it’s a great option if you have a convenient local Home Depot and don’t mind making a quick stop.
Just remember pickup quantities may be more limited than delivery stock. So check availability for the items you want before placing the order.
Tips for Maximizing Free Shipping at Home Depot
Now that you know how Home Depot’s free delivery works, here are some tips to make the most of it:
Take advantage of sales and coupons
Promotions are a great way to bump your order value over the minimum while still sticking to your budget. Home Depot runs new sales nearly every week, plus they offer coupon codes year-round. Pay attention to current deals to save money and get free shipping.
Buy in bundles
Items sold in qualifying bundles or value packs typically provide the most bang for your buck. For example, a set of power tools or hardware assortment may cost just a little more than one individual item but will get you over the $45 hump.
Stock up on heavy or bulky items
It’s smart to maximize free delivery on products that would be difficult for you to transport from the store yourself. Large bags of pet food, soil, salt, or fertilizer are prime examples. Let Home Depot handle the heavy lifting!
Pair small items with a big purchase
Making one larger individual purchase (like an appliance) and adding on a few little items can be an easy path to free delivery. Just watch out for exclusions on the bigger item.
Split orders to minimize fees
If your cart comes to under $45, it may make sense to split items into 2+ orders rather than paying multiple delivery fees. Just remember to factor in the time spent placing additional orders.
Use in-store pickup for smaller purchases
Getting smaller or one-off items via pickup can save you both money and time. Many people reserve Home Depot delivery for big, heavy purchases only.
The Bottom Line
Hopefully now you have a better grasp of Home Depot’s delivery policies and costs. To recap:
- Get free standard shipping on any order over $45 in eligible items.
- Major appliances over $396 ship free regardless of total.
- Special Buys and Flash Priced deals get free delivery with no minimum.
- Military, first responder, and senior shoppers get free shipping on orders $1+.
- In-store pickup is always free with no minimum order.
When in doubt, check your cart total before you buy to avoid surprise fees. And take advantage of coupons, bundles, and bulk purchases whenever possible to maximize your savings on both products and shipping.
With a little strategizing, you can often get Home Depot orders delivered for free, making it easier than ever to tackle big home improvement projects. Happy shopping and renovating!