9 surprising freebies hiding in your local home improvement store
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If you're the kind of person who loves saving money while tackling a DIY project or sprucing up your home, you might be overlooking one of the best sources of free perks: your neighborhood home improvement store.
From expert advice to free material cutting, many stores are offering more than just tools and paint.
The best part? Most shoppers don’t even realize these services exist.
Whether you're painting the living room, planting a garden, or just replacing a key, your local hardware store can help.
Stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, and Menards offer plenty of free perks to make your next project easier and more affordable.
Here’s a look at nine free services you can take advantage of on your next trip to the hardware store, plus a few bonus tips to help you stretch your dollars even further.
Don’t forget to ask—some of these hidden gems are only available if you know to request them!
Let’s dive in.
Not sure how many gallons of paint you’ll need or how much soil to buy?
Most major home improvement stores offer free online calculators to help you estimate quantities for your next project.
Home Depot and Lowe’s both have tools for paint, tile, mulch, and more.
Prefer a human touch? Take your measurements into the store and a team member can walk you through the process—no math degree required.
If you buy materials like wood, blinds, rope, or PVC pipe, many stores will cut them for you at no additional charge.
It’s perfect for those who don’t own the right tools or want to avoid dealing with sawdust at home.
Home Depot and Lowe’s also offer more specialized cutting services in-store, including cutting plexiglass or rebar in some locations.
Home improvement stores are often staffed by people with real-world building and renovation experience.
Whether you’re stuck on a plumbing project or need help choosing the right drill bit, you can usually get in-person help at no cost.
Home Depot and Lowe’s also offer video tutorials and written guides online—great for brushing up at home.
Want to brush up on your skills? Stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot often host free how-to workshops for adults and kids.
Topics range from home repairs to tool safety and gardening.
Some stores even offer themed kids’ workshops on weekends—perfect for a fun outing with the grandkids.
Just check your store’s events calendar online or in person.
Bring in a fabric swatch, magazine clipping, or even a paint chip, and stores can match the color for free.
Most locations use digital scanners to create a custom paint mix that’s remarkably close to your original sample.
Lowe’s and Ace also offer virtual room preview tools so you can “see” the color on your walls before buying a drop.
Clearing out old batteries, CFL bulbs, or leftover paint? Many home improvement chains offer recycling stations for hard-to-dispose-of items.
Home Depot and Lowe’s accept rechargeable batteries, plastic plant pots, and sometimes electronics depending on location.
It’s a convenient and responsible way to declutter.
Need a spare key for a neighbor, friend, or pet sitter? Most hardware stores offer free key cutting when you buy the blank from them.
It only takes a few minutes, and you’ll never have to worry about locking yourself out again.
Ace Hardware is especially known for quick, reliable key services.
Ordering online? You can skip the shipping fees by choosing free pickup.
Major retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s offer in-store and curbside pickup options.
Some locations will have your items ready in under 30 minutes—ideal for when you're on a tight project timeline.
If you’re hesitant about your green thumb, you’ll appreciate this one.
Many stores offer plant guarantees—especially on perennials, shrubs, and trees.
For example, Lowe’s has a 1-year return policy on many plants with proof of purchase.
So if your hydrangea doesn’t make it, you may be able to get a replacement at no cost.
Next time you visit your local home improvement store, keep an eye out for these hidden perks.
A little curiosity can lead to big savings, and maybe even a few new skills along the way.
Read next:
Have you scored a freebie or received helpful service on a recent store trip? Share your tips and stories in the comments—we’d love to hear how you made the most of your visit!
From expert advice to free material cutting, many stores are offering more than just tools and paint.
The best part? Most shoppers don’t even realize these services exist.
Whether you're painting the living room, planting a garden, or just replacing a key, your local hardware store can help.
Stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, and Menards offer plenty of free perks to make your next project easier and more affordable.
Here’s a look at nine free services you can take advantage of on your next trip to the hardware store, plus a few bonus tips to help you stretch your dollars even further.
Don’t forget to ask—some of these hidden gems are only available if you know to request them!
Let’s dive in.
You might be surprised by the expert help, tools, and perks available at your local home improvement store—no charge required. Image Source: YouTube / The Wall Street Journal.
1. Free project planning and materials estimating
Not sure how many gallons of paint you’ll need or how much soil to buy?
Most major home improvement stores offer free online calculators to help you estimate quantities for your next project.
Home Depot and Lowe’s both have tools for paint, tile, mulch, and more.
Prefer a human touch? Take your measurements into the store and a team member can walk you through the process—no math degree required.
2. Complimentary custom cutting
If you buy materials like wood, blinds, rope, or PVC pipe, many stores will cut them for you at no additional charge.
It’s perfect for those who don’t own the right tools or want to avoid dealing with sawdust at home.
Home Depot and Lowe’s also offer more specialized cutting services in-store, including cutting plexiglass or rebar in some locations.
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Also read: A new warning from Home Depot about upcoming costs
3. Free expert DIY advice
Home improvement stores are often staffed by people with real-world building and renovation experience.
Whether you’re stuck on a plumbing project or need help choosing the right drill bit, you can usually get in-person help at no cost.
Home Depot and Lowe’s also offer video tutorials and written guides online—great for brushing up at home.
4. In-store classes and workshops
Want to brush up on your skills? Stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot often host free how-to workshops for adults and kids.
Topics range from home repairs to tool safety and gardening.
Some stores even offer themed kids’ workshops on weekends—perfect for a fun outing with the grandkids.
Just check your store’s events calendar online or in person.
[nextad][/nextad]
Also read: Is Home Depot secretly changing its policies like Walmart? The policy shift that’s sparking major shopper backlash
5. Paint color matching
Bring in a fabric swatch, magazine clipping, or even a paint chip, and stores can match the color for free.
Most locations use digital scanners to create a custom paint mix that’s remarkably close to your original sample.
Lowe’s and Ace also offer virtual room preview tools so you can “see” the color on your walls before buying a drop.
6. Recycling drop-offs
Clearing out old batteries, CFL bulbs, or leftover paint? Many home improvement chains offer recycling stations for hard-to-dispose-of items.
Home Depot and Lowe’s accept rechargeable batteries, plastic plant pots, and sometimes electronics depending on location.
It’s a convenient and responsible way to declutter.
7. Key cutting (with purchase)
Need a spare key for a neighbor, friend, or pet sitter? Most hardware stores offer free key cutting when you buy the blank from them.
It only takes a few minutes, and you’ll never have to worry about locking yourself out again.
Ace Hardware is especially known for quick, reliable key services.
Finding your perfect shade is easy—many hardware stores offer free paint color matching to help you bring your vision to life. Image Source: Pexels / Nataliya Vaitkevich.
Also read: You might not find these popular Home Depot products soon—here’s why prices aren’t the only thing changing
8. Free in-store or curbside pickup
Ordering online? You can skip the shipping fees by choosing free pickup.
Major retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s offer in-store and curbside pickup options.
Some locations will have your items ready in under 30 minutes—ideal for when you're on a tight project timeline.
9. Extended plant guarantees
If you’re hesitant about your green thumb, you’ll appreciate this one.
Many stores offer plant guarantees—especially on perennials, shrubs, and trees.
For example, Lowe’s has a 1-year return policy on many plants with proof of purchase.
So if your hydrangea doesn’t make it, you may be able to get a replacement at no cost.
Also read: Unbelievable discounts at Home Depot—but only if you use this underrated policy!
Bonus tips for savvy shoppers
- Ask about senior discounts: Some stores offer special pricing for seniors—either year-round or on designated days. Don’t be shy—ask at the register or check online.
- Sign up for loyalty programs: Lowe’s and Ace offer member discounts, birthday coupons, and first access to seasonal sales for account holders.
- Look for free samples: Some paint or garden departments hand out trial-sized freebies, especially when promoting new products. It never hurts to ask!
Next time you visit your local home improvement store, keep an eye out for these hidden perks.
A little curiosity can lead to big savings, and maybe even a few new skills along the way.
Read next:
- How did $82,000 in tools vanish from Home Depot? A bold shoplifting scheme raises alarms
- This secret home retailer is blowing Lowe's out of the water—and it’s opening 13 new stores!
- Don’t waste your money: 7 home renovations to avoid in 2025
Have you scored a freebie or received helpful service on a recent store trip? Share your tips and stories in the comments—we’d love to hear how you made the most of your visit!
