Bought the wrong tool or appliance? Don’t worry—the 2025 Home Depot return policy makes it easy to get your money back. With flexible return windows and options for both in-store and online purchases, this guide walks you through every detail you need to know, from refund timelines to what you can’t return.
Key takeaways
- The Home Depot standard return window is 90 days for most items, with exceptions for certain categories.
- Purchases made with a Home Depot credit card or account have a 365-day return window.
- Major appliances must be reported as damaged or defective within 48 hours of delivery or pickup.
What is the Home Depot Return Policy?
The Home Depot return policy is designed to be flexible and customer-centric. Most new, unopened merchandise can be returned within 90 days of purchase for a full refund or exchange. If you paid with a Home Depot Consumer Credit Card, Commercial Revolving Charge, or Commercial Account, you benefit from an extended return window of 365 days for most items.
General Return Window:
- Most items: 90 days from the date of purchase
Extended Return Window:
- 365 days for purchases made with a Home Depot Consumer Credit Card, Commercial Revolving Charge, or Commercial Account
Shorter Return Windows for Specific Items:
- 30 days: Furniture, area rugs, gas-powered equipment and tractors, generators (except whole house and stationary generators), consumer electronics (TVs, computers), paint sprayers
- 48 hours: Major appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, ranges, dishwashers, select microwaves)
- 1 year: Perennials, trees, roses, and shrubs (plants)
Special Cases:
- Holiday or promotional periods may offer extended return windows; check your receipt or ask customer service for details.
Condition Requirements for Returns
To be eligible for a return, items generally must be:
- In new, unused, and sellable condition
- In original packaging with all accessories, manuals, and tags (when applicable)
- Unworn and unwashed (for apparel)
- For opened or slightly used items, returns are at the discretion of store management and may result in store credit or exchange rather than a full refund
- Damaged or defective items can be returned, but must be reported within the specified window (e.g., 48 hours for major appliances)
Tip: Always inspect items—especially appliances—immediately upon delivery or pickup.
Despite its brick-and-mortar dominance, Home Depot has built a powerful online presence. As of 2023, it ranked among the top 5 U.S. e-commerce retailers, behind only giants like Amazon and Walmart.
Proof of Purchase: What You Need
Accepted Proofs of Purchase:
- Original receipt (paper or digital)
- Order confirmation email (for online purchases)
- Shipping invoice or packing slip
- Gift receipt
- Credit/debit card used for purchase (can be used for receipt lookup within 30 days)
- Home Depot account (Pro Xtra or online account purchases can be tracked)
No Receipt?
- Home Depot may look up your purchase if you paid by credit/debit card, check, or Home Depot credit account (within 30 or 365 days, depending on payment method)
- If no proof of purchase is found, returns may be denied or only eligible for store credit at the lowest recent sale price, and a valid government-issued photo ID is required
Gift Returns:
- Present the gift receipt for a refund in the form of store credit
Non-Returnable and Final Sale Items
Items Not Eligible for Return:
- Gift cards
- Whole house and stationary generators
- Utility trailers
- Cut flowers and floral arrangements
- Labor, delivery, and installation services
- Product samples (paint, flooring, fabric, wallpaper)
- Custom products (custom-mixed paint, blinds, made-to-order items)
- Special order products (unless damaged or defective)
- Opened chemicals or hazardous materials
- Installed major appliances (unless damage is reported within 48 hours)
- Clearance items are generally returnable unless specifically marked as final sale
Exceptions may apply for defective merchandise. Always check with customer service if unsure.
How to Start a return at Home Depot
In-Store Returns
- Bring the item, proof of purchase, and a valid photo ID (if needed) to any Home Depot location.
- Go to the customer service desk.
- Present your documentation and item.
- Choose your preferred refund method (original payment or store credit).
- Receive your refund or exchange.
Online Returns (Mail)
- Log into your Home Depot account.
- Navigate to order history and select the item you wish to return.
- Click “Return Items” and follow the instructions to print a prepaid shipping label.
- Package the item securely and attach the label.
- Drop off at a UPS location or schedule a pickup.
- Wait for Home Depot to receive and process your return.
For large or heavy items, contact customer service to arrange pickup.
Home Depot Refund Processing
- Refund Method: Refunds are issued to the original payment method (credit card, PayPal, cash, store credit, etc.). Purchases made with a gift card or store credit are refunded as store credit.
- Processing Time:
- In-store returns: Immediate for most payment types
- Mail returns: 7 business days for processing, plus up to 10 business days for funds to appear in your account, depending on your bank or payment provider
- Shipping Fees: Original shipping charges are refunded only if the return is due to a Home Depot error.
- Delays: Refund times may vary based on payment method and return channel.
“Home Depot understands what a weekend warrior needs — tools, confidence, and the illusion of expertise.”
— Tim Allen, Actor & DIY Enthusiast (via an interview discussing home improvement culture)
Return Policy Full Breakdown
- Home Depot’s standard return window is 90 days for most items, with exceptions for certain categories.
- Purchases made with a Home Depot credit card or account have a 365-day return window.
- Major appliances must be reported as damaged or defective within 48 hours of delivery or pickup.
- Furniture, area rugs, gas-powered equipment, generators, and electronics have a 30-day return window.
- Proof of purchase is required; receipt lookup is possible for card and account purchases.
- Returns without a receipt may be eligible for store credit at the lowest recent sale price, with ID required.
- Online purchases can be returned in-store or by mail; prepaid shipping labels are provided for mail returns.
- Non-returnable items include gift cards, custom products, cut flowers, and certain hazardous materials.
- Refunds are processed to the original payment method; store credit is issued for gift returns or non-receipted returns.
- Return shipping fees may apply unless the return is due to a Home Depot error.
- Clearance items are generally returnable unless marked final sale.
- Always inspect appliances and large items upon delivery and report issues immediately.
- Store managers have discretion on returns of opened or used items.
- Keep all original packaging and accessories for a smoother return process.
- Contact customer service for help with large or complex returns.
Home Depot Return policy FAQs
What is the standard return window for Home Depot purchases in 2025?
Most items can be returned within 90 days of purchase.
Do Home Depot credit card purchases have an extended return period?
You have 365 days to return most items purchased with a Home Depot Consumer Credit Card, Commercial Revolving Charge, or Commercial Account.
How do returns work at Home Depot without a receipt?
Yes, but you’ll need a valid photo ID and your return may be limited to store credit at the lowest recent sale price. Receipt lookup is possible for card or account purchases.
Which products are non-returnable at Home Depot stores?
Gift cards, custom products, cut flowers, utility trailers, product samples, and hazardous materials are not returnable.
Does Home Depot charge restocking fees for certain items?
Restocking fees may apply to special order items or items outside the standard return policy.
How does Home Depot issue refunds for returned items?
Refunds are issued to the original payment method or as store credit, depending on the situation.
When will I get my refund after returning something to Home Depot?
In-store refunds are usually immediate; mail returns take 7–10 business days after receipt of the item.
Does Home Depot allow returns on clearance or discounted items?
Yes, unless specifically marked as final sale.
How does Home Depot handle returns for damaged or defective products?
Report defective or damaged items immediately, especially major appliances (within 48 hours) for a full refund or exchange.