Washington, DC Will need plywood sheets cut to standard door size. It is all about attitude and qualifications. As an employee at one of these stores, people can be so unappreciative of what our day is like. Thanks so much! In the South, the price of that panel was $1,500 per thousand square feet, up 230% from $455 one year ago. The result is usually a very helpful interaction with most people going above and beyond to share with me their expertise and assist me with my project. Thank you very much!! Within reason. And thanks to the staff in the Williston VT store as well. The sign above the station said that the first two cuts were free, additional cuts 50 cents. You can take a chance that there is an available cart or save a step and grab one now. J.D. St. Petersburg, FL Yes, Home Depot will do one or two cuts of pressure-treated wood for your convenience. Hi ______". I ventured out to Home Depot this morning (Williston, VT), chose the correct cart from the parking lot (thanks), loaded my plywood myself (thanks), and approached the young guy in lumber with a smile (waiting for him to complete a conversation with another customer, of course)and asked for four inch cuts of the entire piece. You know H.D. This is a really well informative and well written article. Generally, these are the slower hours, and sales associates are more likely to be relaxed and not feel rushed when it comes time to serving you in the cutting section.
Excellent article! Its all about the approach. It does not matter how patient, polite or helpful you are with any HD employee- their panel and radial saws are for general heavy construction cuts only and the employees are the worst. This means the hook end is usually bent or the inside/outside variance is worn. If your project is large, however, an extra set of hands would be helpful. So I was away from my department for long time while the theives robbed away. One thing that I feel this article is missing, or maybe I overlooked it, is the fact that lumber has straight edges to start. Many of the lumber associates know me by name and dont even question or challenge my approach. You grabbed the right cart and you are ready to go get your plywood and get it cut. I had 2x4's cut to 6.5' and 17" cleats cut. Push your cart to the panel saw.
Now I feel prepared to go get my plywood and have it cut. For my cornhole project, I needed four pieces of plywood, each measuring 2 x 4 with the grain all running lengthwise. In my experience, this happens more frequently at Home Depot than at Lowe's. To get the best cut possible, follow these four tips to make it happen. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. It may bust your budget," Feb. 10, 2021, Poynter Institute, "Lumber shortages and prices are soaring amid tariffs, mill closures and a whole lot of DIY projects," Aug. 21, 2020, NPR, "Lumber Prices Are Staying Sky High Even If The Pandemic Ends Soon," March 30, 2021, District of Columbia 
Joel is a history-loving hobo who travels, usually on foot, across the United States. Look around the lumber section to find the discount cart! The design I use results in no wasteif, of course, the cuts are accurate. With only a couple clicks and keywords, I was able to go to the Home Depot website and not only find what I wanted but also the following: I also did the same with Lowe's just to compare pricing. As a result, the associates have been rewarded and are pleased to see me, knowing that I have the power to put bonuses in their pockets.
Photo shows a woman who is wanted for impersonating a nurse and kidnapping an infant from a local U.S. hospital. Unless the cut is very simple, like cutting the sheet in half, I usually push my plywood on the cart to the drywall tools area. Most people carry pens or permanent markers because pencil points break, and sharpies are a mainstay of various other tasks they perform. Their customer satisfaction program works well and is an important part of Home Depot's philosophy. 33701 The height of the cart is close to the height of the panel saw. When I update and revise this article, I will certainly make that a talking point. We are prepared, have our cuts marked, and are ready. "And thats for builders that can even get the product; many builders cant even readily get panels. More recently, mill closures due to severe weather in Texas and Louisiana, along with resin shortages, "have resulted in even bigger price increases," Logan said.
For beginners such as myself, I have found that approaching employees/service professionsls from a place of humility goes a long way. Save yourself and the cashier the hassle of calling for a price check. USA on October 23, 2017: This is very helpful. Designing two exterior doors for my daughter. Great. "Kari Lake has been appearing at rallies with neo-Nazis," while "two federal juries have found" Katie Hobbs "guilty of racial discrimination. We should all realize, like it or not, Home Depot and Lowes are our generations Tom Thumbs Lumber. The tag, dated April 5, 2021, says Standard Plywood is $95.98 each. Aren't its layers made with the grain going both ways?
Its all about the approach. And yes, I knew right from the start that I would end up with pieces 1/16 smaller than that because of the thickness of the saw cut. Adam Laxalt "wants to restrict" and "worked to limit access to birth control. Now you may be scratching your head right about now (probably why I'm going bald on top) thinking "How does that save me any money?". Believe it or not, the biggest key to getting plywood cut correctly is your attitude.
Thanks! Doing so will instantly make you visible as associates dont want to get caught letting a customer mess with off-limit equipment. USA on April 22, 2019: If you have that much trouble with HD employees cutting your plywood, couldnt you fib and give them dimensions with 1 inch extra? Just trust me and try for yourself! Employees usually want to HELP you, not design the project for you (they will not appreciate being asked "how do I build a bedframe?
This is a very important step. I have more to learn that's for sure. Every day, employees get customers who try to monopolize their time, arent prepared with dimensions, demand perfection, and insist that cuts beyond the equipment's abilities or beyond company policy be made. A well-managed store will bend over backward to sell me a carriage bolt or, better yet, a new jigsaw.
The frig I bought, I read that if there was a little nipple in the plastic on the corner of the door lining from where they insert insulation they were prone to crack. Can you cut something for me?, 4. I don't enjoy doing the big projects for teachers either, the only reason I do is because I know how much they spend out of pocket for their classes and they need to catch a break whenever possible, but rarely are they prepared and never do we see them mark the wood first.
Policies vary by store, but most locations seem to charge up to two dollars for a cut. I have seen people transfer out in two weeks because they could not hack it. I've not heard of anyone having to return product though through this program. Question: Will Home Depot cut plywood with a jigsaw for a customer? Jason from Indianapolis, IN. "El 11 de mayo de 1987, el London Times inform en su portada: La OMS entreg 50 millones de vacunas contra la viruela del mono, estas provocaron el SIDA a los africanos.". The smart thing to do is to know what you want before going shopping. I simply had to get another piece of plywood for the additional pieces. Are the saws big enough to cut it lengthwise making two 2'x8' ??
Thanks, Joel. He was polite. This is only one of hundreds of examples I have personally experienced at HD stores all over the midwest. Meaning you can't sell it, trade it, transfer ownership of it or in any way allow another person not in your household to take possession of the product.
You may feel unprofessional or a bit overwhelmed because you're out of your comfort zone. In my experience, people generally want to help others; but they also want to be respected and appreciated. Awesome article, you just helped me get my game plan ready for tomorrow. I explain the project and the questions I have and then ask "is this something you could help me with?" 727-821-9494, Yes, the price of plywood is up in the range of 252%, with market factors to blame. The cuts today are free!" I'm working on a new project, a cornhole game. And I cant say the same about Home Depot!
If you dont like it, dont buy it. ", Matt Dolan sponsored Michael Bloomberg's red-flag gun confiscation law, letting the people reporting your social media posts send SWAT teams to your house to take your guns. I'm still confused about "ripping" though.
HD employees are some of the worst in the retail industry, and have ruined many, many cuts on the simplest, easiest, and most basic cuts. Jason from Indianapolis, IN. You must be joking. Which I did, or course, in order to help this guy out. I want 4.5 inch cuts on 4x8 1/4 inch plywood. The corporate management takes it very seriously, and the last thing store managers want is to get a customer complaint about bad customer service.
Before I left for the store, I grabbed two other important things: a tape measure and a pencil. You will find it written on their apron or vest. It turns a two-person job into a one-person job. Utilizing these edges to their best extent requires more work by the associate, of which I always offer a helping hand. A few people who left comments on the Facebook post blamed Democrats. The accuracy of the cuts are not guaranteed. I like your article very much. Here's what you might overhear them say: On the other hand, this same associate can and will make perfect cuts, not charge you extra for extra cuts, and, in some cases, offer you a discount on your material.
Menards will cut lumber but not plywood. Enjoy using this method to create great do-it-yourself wood projects! You are thorough and wise. I appreciate the detailed steps and strategic approach. Thank you for understanding what we deal with on a daily basis and for teaching people how to be a great customer! I just went to HD and used the lumber guy's name, told him what I was doing, and he cut my plywood for free!!! Joel, Thanks so much for this article. I try to spend my money wisely everywhere I can. However, what if you pushed your cart into the aisle and then walked away to inspect the lumber choices? Some of the tips below may also work for you. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.). Shawn Church, editor of Random Lengths, which publishes price data on the wood products industry, gave us figures for 23/32-inch plywood produced in the Pacific Northwest and the South. Ill get close, but it gets knocked out of alignment pretty easy.. Finally, we made it to the saw! Why? Know that timing is everything. However, my homework was not yet complete. Well, thanks to you I think I have my project set up for tomorrow. They are relatively inexpensive, and you'll find it invaluable for future projects. So an online search for "Will Home Depot cut wood by requested measurements?" And I love the focus on just being nice. This works especially well at Home Depot, as one of their goals is to offer excellent customer service. ", Adam Laxalt "supports eliminating Nevada's protections for legal abortions. I asked the manager, who I know because I used to be a merchandiser for this store, and he told me that's they way it comes out with plywood. ", 50% of the guns sold in Texas, because of the loopholes, do not pass through a background check., "David Perdue voted with liberals for $10 trillion in new debt, his out-of-control federal spending is driving inflation through the roof. Let the cashier know as they have a button that will automatically send out a page for loading assistance. Im all for opinionated people but theres a limit to when it turns into looking more like a paid for ad by the other team and meant to slam the competition and thats just disgusting!!
Fill in the blank with their name. All the advise so accurate and true. Once I determined the store where I wanted to buy my wood, I printed out a copy of the listing. Excellent advice. After reading this article I know (generally) what to expect which gives me much more confidence to tackle the problem. Be prepared when you go to buy lumber and have it cut at Home Depot. If you go to the register and have a page sent out for the saw, someone will show up faster. 20006, Florida I never borrow a tape measure or pencil from a store associate even though most of them carry them and will lend them out. In many cases, being willing to take this sheet will get you a discount of up to 70%, especially at Home Depot. You won't get pressure treated lumber cut in California. I'm a DIY rookie on my way to Home Depot and was intimidated about buying lumber let alone having it cut before reading this post. Everything you offer here is valuable info, and yes, for all the criticism the stores get, those employees who do such a good job in spite of their workloads deserve special thanks. I also save time and know I'll get the best service and cuts. Joel Diffendarfer (author) from Jonesville on September 08, 2018: A very good point, Brandon! The steps I've shared are actually quite simple and easy to implement. With about 40 products reviewed ranging from screws to a battery-powered lawn mower, I got an email from Home Depot Customer Service inviting me to join their Seeds reviewer program. Great article- you know the experience well. I have cut wood at both big boxes, going on for a few years now. A widely circulated Facebook post that complained about the cost of plywood stated: "Food for thought 3/4" Plywood Standard: That is 252% price increase on one of the most used piece of common lumber for construction.".
Do your homework. There are signs posted all over the place and overhead announcements stating that associates will be happy to help. After reading this excellent article I went cheerfully to my local Home Depot to get a piece of 2'X4' 3/4 exterior plywood for a shelf project. Where does she think she is, the deli?. Grab the cut sheet, tape measure, and pencil. Answer: The official answer would be no, however, depending on the store management, there is a level of freedom that is granted to their employees to "do what it takes" to ensure a repeat customer. A lot of their reviews are based on customer satisfaction, which directly affects their bonuses at the end of the year. It may seem to be just a bit overkill, but it eliminates the guesswork. With the right preparation, you can get what you need and end up with a successful project using custom cut wood from Home Depot. 1. That is the best instructions i have ever read. From time to time, I am pleasantly surprised when an associate jumps in. I, now hold the number of cuts to 12 ( store policy), unless you are willing to come back later to pick it up. Pinch yourself. It will more than pay for itself down the road. The trick here is to point out the damage to an associateas part of their cull process, lumber associates are empowered to discount damaged merchandise. If you cant find someone, go to any cashier. The problem is that it can be hit or miss depending on the time of day or level of traffic. For example, I am in the process of building cornhole games to give away as gifts and for profit. They make their profit on the accessories and add-ons. After doing this two or three times, they will remember you and anticipate your presence on your next visit. We are entitled to say no to project cuts. Sometimes, cut plywood can make it hard for a cashier to know what the product was before it was cut. A Home Depot spokeswoman told us the company could not verify whether the photo is legitimate, and would only say that the chain stores lumber pricing is based on commodities pricing. Now, thanks to you Joel, I know how to prep and I wont worry about people muttering She thinks theyll cut stuff for her? The post was flagged as part of Facebooks efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. He is always homeward bound but never quite there yet. We are always trying to do many things at once, but cutting and selling that wood is important- there just has to be reasonable limits. Now, I hope it wont be so frustrating. It makes the task of loading the panel saw much easier. I am about to venture into the land of "plywood bending" for a project with school. After 3 pm, it also gets busy with general homeowner traffic. Home Depot employees are trained to get involved with a customer and understand the project that they are trying to accomplish. Another great way to save money on projects if you're going to Home Depot for supplies is to write reviews (take pictures and record a YouTube video as well if you have the time) on the products you purchase at Home Depot. I left a rude message for corporate and left. It does make a difference when you get back to your home. After all, I know their name and submitted their name to corporate for excellent customer service experience.
If you experience any issues while you're in the store, feel free to ask for a manager so they can straighten it out for you. Better yet, I didn't have to return any of the products after reviewing them either! A wood industry said the price increases, as a result of market factors, have risen in that range. The right answer is the lumber cart. When he was done, I thanked him and asked how to note the additional cuts when I approached the registerhe stated, "it must be your lucky day. Mistakes happen, and it is easier to fix the problem before you pay than after. That being said, research and prepare as much as you can before you go to buy materials. I left complete instructions with the service department to cut 20 shelves out of a sheet of maple plywood that cost me $50. ", Mehmet Oz was a spokesman for a group who wanted to defund the police., "Fifty-four percent of Wisconsinites live in a child care desert. You could bring a circular saw or portable jobsite table saw and cut it yourself. I think people tend to forget, if you are a bad customer, you should not expect good customer service. Only who has been struggling to get a proper cut knows what youre talking about. A widely shared Facebook post claims the price of plywood is up 252% in just over a year. Before 9 am is the busiest time for contractors.
You are awesome, thank you for the cutting 411. At least $5 and then roughly $2 per cut. The main reasons are because of accuracy and respect. Thanks Joel for writing this good artical. I needed cuts to end up with a piece 16 1/2" X 26 1/2". Their terms for the program do state that vendors can request product be returned after being reviewed during a period of 6 months after shipping the product to the reviewer.
