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Are inflation and soaring prices keeping you away from the home improvement stores?
Lowe’s is my favorite place to shop for my projects. As an avid DIYer and gardening enthusiast I was curious to find out how much projects completed one, two, or three years ago would have cost me today.
For that, I researched The Krazy Coupon Lady media library as well as my own Lowe’s account and put together a list of 20 items, comparing their prices then and now.
Download the KCL app to receive the best Lowe’s deals directly to your phone. I also recommend reading two articles for some pretty cool Lowe’s tips and hacks to save on DIY projects and everything you need to know about Lowe’s discounts.
You can also do your own homework on Lowe’s price increases. Just sign in to your Lowes.com account to get access to your purchase history. If you have MyLowe’s, you’ll even be able to check your past in-store purchases.
The gallon of Valspar Signature paint is $37.98 — a 15.16% increase over last year
In less than a year the price of the one-gallon can of Valspar Signature flat paint went up $5. If you’re always tackling small painting projects, I suggest you stop by your store’s paint counter, as they’ll usually sell mistints for a fraction of the cost.
Just recently I found one gallon of this exact same paint in the satin sheen for just $9. Want to save even more? Check out these best tips for finding cheap paint.
The 5-gallon Valspar Reserve Paint is $199 now — an 11.17% increase since June of 2021
Another way to cut down on your paint costs is to take advantage of paint rebates. These are usually available during some of the biggest Lowe’s sales, like 4th of July and Labor Day.
Here’s when we’re expecting to see Lowe’s best sales of 2022.
This premixed drywall joint compound is $13.98 — 16.69% more than two years ago
Over two years ago I decided to skim my walls to get rid of texture and make them smooth. I went through a few of these big buckets of joint compound at $11.98 each. Today this same product costs $13.98.
Prime MDF Boards are $13.92 — 26.78% more than just three months ago
Less than three months ago I bought a few of these boards to replace my old baseboards. When checking my MyLowe’s account, I found out I paid $10.98 per board in February. This same board costs $13.92 today, a 26.78% price increase.
Deck lumber is $15.28 — a 23.42% raise over 2020’s price
Putting up a new deck will cost you more in 2022. The price of the cedar deck lumber increased by 23.42% in about two years.
The poplar plywood is $21.48 now — a 43.39% increase in less than three years
Another product I used in one of my projects: poplar plywood boards. I ripped them to make my own shiplap for a fraction of the cost of the pre-made stuff. In December of 2019 I paid $14.98 per board.
Today’s cost of $21.48 represents a 43.39% increase.
This 4′ x 8′ MDF board is $54.98 — 72.08% more than in 2019
In December of 2019 we bought a few of these boards for one of my husband’s projects: a custom built-in for the living room. If purchased today, we would have paid 72.08% more per board.
The heavy-duty Commander totes are $15.98 — a 45.54% increase since 2019
The reader-favorite Commander 27-gallon totes used to be $10.98 at the end of 2019. Today they are priced at $15.98, a 45.54% increase.
Check out these home organization tips that’ll cost you next to nothing.
This Char-Broil gas grill is $299 now — 20.08% more than in 2021.
The regular price of this gas grill went up to $299 in 2022. You should never pay full price for grills — wait for a big sale or summer clearance for the cheapest prices.
Last year we found grills on clearance at Lowe’s for as low as $83, although Walmart is my favorite place to shop for grills.
This value pack of Kingsford charcoal is $21.98 — a 10.01% increase compared to August of 2020
In 2022 you’ll get two 20-pound bags of Kingsford charcoal for $21.98, compared to $19.98 in 2020. As you can see by the picture on the left, these will usually go on sale, so never pay full price.
This six-foot picnic table is $149 — 50.51% more than in 2019
In a little less than three years, the regular price of this wooden picnic table has gone up by 50.51%. But as you can see by the pictures, in 2019 we found it on sale for as little as $69.
With inflation and lumber prices going up, we probably won’t see this table going on sale this year.
These square patio stones are $2.18 — a 47.30% increase since 2021
A new patio will cost you 47.30% more in 2022. In March of 2021 the 12″ x 12″ cement stones were priced at $1.48, compared to $2.18 now.
Miracle-Gro Potting Mix is $10.98 now — 10.02% more than in 2021
The 25-quart bags of Miracle-Gro potting mix are 10.02% more expensive — the price went from $9.98 to $10.98 in one year.
The small bag of Scotts Turf Builder is $27.98 — 16.68% up in one year
Keeping that lawn green and free of weeds will cost you 16.68% more than it did in 2021. The 14.29-pound bags of Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed are now priced at $27.98, a 16.68% increase.
Scotts mulch is $4.28 — 7.54% more since last year
From the 20 products I listed here, this mulch is among the products where the prices increased the least. The price went from $3.98 in 2021 to $4.28 in 2022, or 7.54% more.
Check out this article to learn how to save on mulch.
The Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed bottles are $16.98 — a 17.27% increase in one year
If you’re like me, you’ll probably go through a couple of these bottles during a growing season. This year, you’ll pay 17.27% more than you did in 2021.
Bonnie Strawberry plants are $4.78 — that’s 20.10% more than a year ago
Starting a strawberry patch in 2022 will cost you 20.10% more if you buy Bonnie strawberries. The 2021 price tag of $3.98 has jumped to $4.78 this year.
Bonnie Vegetable starts are $4.78 — 60.40% more than in 2021
Select Bonnie vegetables now cost 60.40% more than they did in 2021. In fact, some of them had the $4.78 price sticker placed over a $4.48 price tag, indicating a very recent price increase.
Select 2.5-quart perennials are $8.48 — 6.27% more than in 2021
Perennials are my go-to plants when I want to spruce up my yard, because they’ll come back year after year (annuals only last one growing season).
A variety of perennials which used to cost $7.98 in 2021, now cost $8.48. Love flowers? Then hurry and register to score free flowers for Mom at Lowe’s.
The price of annual baskets is $14.98 — that’s 50.10% more than in 2021
Hanging basket prices may vary a lot depending on what part of the country you are. You’ll also want to compare “apples to apples,” so always check the size of the baskets, usually measured in gallons.
In my area, the 1.5-gallon baskets of annuals went up over 50% in one year. Make sure you’re getting the best deals by reading this article on how to save on hanging flower baskets.
