The Home Depot is bolstering its offerings for professional contractors with a new artificial intelligence-powered tool designed to streamline project material lists. Launched on , Material List Builder AI aims to reduce the time professionals spend on administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on project execution and customer service.
The tool allows professionals to generate draft material lists through several input methods, including natural language descriptions of projects, voice-to-text functionality, pasting existing lists from various digital documents, or utilizing pre-built templates for common renovation projects like bathroom or kitchen remodels. Once a draft is generated, users can edit it before finalizing, after which the AI provides product recommendations, complete with pricing and inventory availability. The system also saves previously created lists for easy reordering on future, similar jobs.
This launch is part of a broader strategy by The Home Depot to cater to the growing “pro” segment – contractors, remodelers, and builders – which the company identified in an August investor call as a key driver of future growth. Executives anticipate that this customer base will significantly shape the company’s market positioning over the next decade.
The introduction of Material List Builder AI follows the September 2025 launch of The Home Depot’s Project Planning digital platform. Project Planning is designed to provide professionals with a centralized hub for managing all aspects of a project, from initial planning and material selection to execution and collaboration with Home Depot staff. The company positions both tools as ways to enable professionals to manage projects through a single supplier and improve efficiency.
The core benefit, according to The Home Depot, is time savings. “Pros often tell us that their most valuable resource for any job is time, so we’re focused on delivering solutions that empower Pros to work smarter and faster,” said Mike Rowe, executive vice president of Pro for The Home Depot, in a company statement. The AI tool is intended to significantly reduce the hours traditionally spent manually compiling product lists, comparing prices, and ensuring accuracy.
The new AI capability is available to members of The Home Depot’s Pro Xtra loyalty program and is integrated within the Project Planning platform. Pro Xtra provides professionals with trade credit and extended buying power, further solidifying The Home Depot’s position as a comprehensive resource for the pro market.
The move reflects a wider trend in the retail and construction industries towards leveraging technology to improve efficiency and address labor shortages. The construction sector, in particular, has faced ongoing challenges in attracting and retaining skilled workers, making tools that streamline workflows and reduce administrative burdens increasingly valuable. By automating the material list creation process, The Home Depot aims to alleviate some of the pressure on contractors and allow them to focus on core construction activities.
The launch of Material List Builder AI also underscores the growing importance of artificial intelligence in the retail sector. Retailers are increasingly exploring AI applications to personalize customer experiences, optimize supply chains, and improve operational efficiency. The Home Depot’s investment in this technology signals a commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation in the home improvement market.
While the immediate impact of the tool on The Home Depot’s financial performance remains to be seen, the company’s focus on the pro segment and its investment in digital solutions suggest a long-term strategy to capture a larger share of this lucrative market. The success of Material List Builder AI will likely depend on its ability to deliver tangible time savings and improve the overall project management experience for professional contractors.
The company’s broader strategy of providing a comprehensive suite of services for professionals, including financing options, project planning tools, and now AI-powered material lists, positions it as a one-stop shop for contractors and remodelers. This integrated approach could strengthen customer loyalty and drive increased sales in the years to come.
