Content & Quality Engineer

Building Moxie Archive: For Pros Only :: You Can Do It, We Can Help || My Home Depot – Intro FIRST for Pro

jb@buildingmoxie

Disclosure: This was a partnered post with The Home Depot.

By Barry Morgan

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Over the years, The Home Depot has courted the “do it yourself” customer. Through ad campaigns on radio, television and in print, we are encouraged to tackle projects on our own. Aided, of course, by the Home Depot‘s volume pricing and drawing upon their associate’s expertise. The stores have hosted workshops for years geared toward empowering people to tackle home improvement projects themselves and since 2009, if we ever doubted ourselves, the voice of actor Ed Harris has been there to remind us (in a mature and friendly voice) that we can do it, and The Home Depot can help.

Working in Lumberyards

Before I began learning the trade of carpentry, I spent some time working in lumberyards. In the lumber business, the “do it yourself” customer is (or was then) often referred to as a weekend warrior. These folks would flood the place on Saturday mornings asking questions which, for lack of a better word, frightened the yard employees. They were used to dealing mostly with professional contractors.

I remember lumberyard employees being short tempered. They have little capacity to suffer those they saw as fools. I believe this hostile environment set the stage for the rise of the DIY friendly home center. After all, before the Internet became the go to place for knowledge and advice, our options were to read a book, to take a course or to ask someone who might know.

I mention my time in lumberyards in an attempt to determine whether my impression of home centers, over the years, was colored by that experience. Honestly, I almost felt as though the tables turned in these home improvement superstores. And I, now – a professional carpenter, am valued less than the DIY customer. I do know that I have had some complaints with home centers. These range from not stocking this or that, to being difficult to navigate. A general feeling that they are a real time-suck and the fastest way to break your stride when working on a project.

Enter the Home Center

I changed my opinion on this, however, as two large home centers (The Home Depot is one) are situated right in the middle of where I do business. Relying on them extensively, especially while working on smaller projects, I historically limit my purchases to odd items and small lumber lists, leaving large orders to be filled by my local lumberyard where I have both an account and a knowledgeable road rep to aid me.

Still, as mentioned, I have noticed some changes at my local Home Depot. These changes were not something I could articulate but had to do with increased activity and a restructuring of the area surrounding the pro desk.

So, when The Home Depot contacted Building Moxie to visit a local store I felt compelled to take them up on their offer. More on this is forthcoming, but first I would like to tell you about one person at my local Home Depot who has done more to change my view of the company than any other. His name is Skip, and I will tell you about him tomorrow.

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This Series

This post is part of series focusing on the Home Depot‘s FIRST for Pro program.  With it, Barry got a behind the scenes look at their suite of pro services. These posts track a recent visit to his local Home Depot in Lewes, Delaware.

— To read more from this Series ::

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The Home Depot‘s FIRST for Pro services program addresses pro contractors’ biggest needs. Understanding what they do, getting them in and out quickly and giving them the best possible price.  Highlights of the program include:

To find out more, check back for future posts in the series or visit Homedepot.com/Pro.

~jb

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