Contractors Reveal Key Products They Avoid at Home Depot, Raising Concerns for HD’s Expansion Strategy

Home Depot's recent $18 billion acquisition of building products distributor GMS was widely seen as a strategic MOVE to capture more professional contractor business. However, a newly surfaced list of products that contractors refuse to purchase at Home Depot suggests potential challenges in this expansion effort.

Cabinets top the avoidance list, with contractors preferring local dealers for superior design quality and installation services. "Home Depot's cabinetry services leave much to be desired in both design and build quality," noted Thomas Borcherding of Homestar Design Remodel. The reluctance extends to other Core categories including paint, flooring, fixtures, appliances, and prefabricated doors/windows.

While these preferences represent subjective contractor opinions, they highlight potential friction points as Home Depot attempts to deepen its professional market penetration. The market appeared unfazed by the report, with HD shares climbing over 2% in Friday trading.