All the Home Depot Return Policy Details You Need to Shop Smart

The Home Depot return policy is fairly straightforward, with options to return items in stores and online. They offer a substantial return period for most items, plus an extended period for select plants under their “1-Year Plant Guarantee.” Also, Home Depot Credit Card holders get to enjoy a long, 365-day return period for purchases made with their card.

Like most return policies, Home Depot has a few exceptions and items with special return conditions. Some items have a shorter return policy, while others are nonreturnable. Knowing these exceptions will help you make the right shopping choices and avoid common mistakes. Use our insider tips below to make Home Depot returns easier and navigate their policy without confusion. Don’t forget to check out our full list of Home Depot hacks for more shopping tips and ways to save.

Home Depot Return Policy

Home Depot offers a 90-day return policy for most items, with refunds processed to the original payment method or as store credit. Items generally need to be in a new and sellable condition to be eligible for a return, unless it's defective. Without a receipt, returns may still be processed through credit card lookup, a Home Depot account, or government ID for store credit at the lowest recent sale price.

Certain items have a shorter return window. Home Depot gives you 30 days to return furniture, electronics, gas-powered equipment, tractors, generators, and paint sprayers. All major appliances have a strict 48-hour return window and must be in new condition with all original packaging, manuals, and accessories.

Some Home Depot items are nonreturnable under their policy. Nonreturnable items include gift cards, cut flowers and floral arrangements, custom-made products, utility trailers, product samples, and installed major appliances (unless damage is reported within 48 hours). You can only exchange custom blinds within 15 days unless Home Depot identifies them as “Guaranteed to Fit.”

How to Return an Item to Home Depot

For in-store returns, just bring the item to the store along with your receipt or proof of purchase. Special Order returns may have a 15% restocking fee and must be taken to the same store you bought them from.

Home Depot generally accepts opened returns, but this policy can vary from store to store. Some stores are stricter than others about the condition of the item you’re returning.

For online purchases, you can return items in-store using the shipment confirmation email or the credit card used for the purchase as proof of payment. If returning by mail, Home Depot deducts return shipping fees from the refund unless the return is due to a Home Depot error. You can start your return from your online account or in the Home Depot mobile app. Or, reach out to customer service by starting an online chat or calling 1-800-430-3376.

Home Depot Return Policy Tips

Get more time for returns with the Home Depot Credit Card.

The Home Depot Credit Card may not offer rewards or points on your purchases, but it does offer cardholders an extended, one-year return window. If you made your purchase with the Home Depot credit card, you have 365 days to receive a full refund instead of the normal 90 days.

If you shop at Home Depot regularly and benefit from a longer return period, it may be worth signing up.

Leverage extended returns during the holiday season.

During the holiday season, Home Depot, like many retailers, often extends their return policy. For items purchased in November and December (e.g., during the Home Depot Black Friday Sale), you may have until late January or even February to make returns. This can be especially useful for holiday gifts or seasonal purchases that you're unsure about.

Use the 1-year plant guarantee to your advantage.

Home Depot offers a one-year guarantee on perennials, trees, roses, and shrubs. Even if the plant dies, you can return it for a refund or exchange within 365 days. Just keep your receipts in a safe place — you’ll need them to return Home Depot plants.

Check return policy exceptions before a big purchase.

Certain items, such as Home Depot major appliances, have a strict 48-hour return window for defects. Knowing these exceptions ensures you inspect these high-ticket items promptly upon receipt, avoiding any hassle with returns outside this window.

Don’t rely on returns without a receipt.

If you need to make a Home Depot return without a receipt, you’re not totally out of options. Home Depot can look up purchases made with a credit card, debit card, or store credit. If you've lost your receipt but paid with one of these methods, you're likely able to return the item without a receipt.

With that said, some Home Depot shoppers have been penalized for making too many receiptless returns. Home Depot uses return-tracking software that can identify unusual shopping behaviors. If the software detects something abnormal in your shopping history, they can ban you from returns for up to a year.