Best Home Improvement Stores
Customer Ratings of Top BRANDS in the 2025 America's Most Trusted Study
When starting a home improvement project—whether it involves selecting tools, construction materials, appliances, or design assistance—shoppers often need a dedicated home improvement retailer. Yet, with many options available, where to shop typically hinges on a single, vital factor: brand trust. In an industry crowded with competitors, the reliability and reputation of a brand play a crucial role in shaping the customer experience, influencing not just where consumers decide to shop but also their overall satisfaction with their purchases.
Consumers today are not merely looking for products; they seek assurance that their chosen retailer will deliver quality and support throughout their project. Trust in a brand translates to confidence in its offerings and service, influencing everything from purchasing decisions to recommendations shared among friends and family.
So, what is the most trusted home improvement retail store brand? Which is seen as the most trustworthy?
The 2025 America’s Most Trusted Study
Launched over a decade ago, the America’s Most Trusted® study has emerged as a critical tool for understanding how trust influences consumer purchasing decisions. This extensive research initiative has solidified its role as a benchmark for brand trust, with annual results released every January. Companies that grasp the significance of consumer trust recognize it as essential for achieving long-term success and competitiveness in their respective markets.
Trust plays a vital role in ensuring customer retention; consumers return to brands they believe can deliver on their promises. When customers feel confident in a brand, they are more inclined to make purchases and share recommendations with others. Moreover, this sense of trust fosters customer loyalty, leading to sustained relationships between consumers and brands over time.
Conducted by Lifestory Research, the America’s Most Trusted® study surveys thousands of individuals each year, gathering insights into their perceptions and experiences with various brands. During this process, consumers are asked to evaluate how much they trust specific brands while shopping for particular products. A key component of this analysis is the Net Trust Quotient Score (NTQS), which quantifies consumer trust levels across different product categories.
The NTQS serves as a valuable metric, comparing how well a product meets customer expectations against competing brands. By employing rigorous social and opinion research methodologies, the study adheres to high standards of consumer research, providing actionable insights into the dynamics of brand trust.
As we examine this year’s findings, a pressing question arises: which home improvement store brands rank highest in consumer trust?
2025 America’s Most Trusted Home Improvement Store
The Lifestory Research 2025 America’s Most Trusted® Home Improvement Store Study identified Home Depot as the most trusted brand among consumers. With a Net Trust Quotient Score of 110.8, Home Depot led the rankings, marking the fourth consecutive year it has received this distinction as the most trusted specialty retail home store.
The findings are based on the opinions of 5,142 individuals surveyed across the United States in the past year. In addition to Home Depot, the study highlighted other trusted brands, including Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Costco, Best Buy, Target, Sam's Club, and Walmart.
According to independent consumer ratings research, what are the most trustworthy store companies in America? What are the top store brands people trust the most?
The top brands recognized in the 2025 America’s Most Trusted® Home Improvement Store study are detailed below.
TOP 8 Ranked Home Improvement Stores – 2025 Customer Ratings
| 1 | Home Depot | 110.8 | ★★★★★ |
| 2 | Lowes | 110.1 | ★★★★★ |
| 3 | Ace Hardware | 107.2 | ☆☆☆☆ |
| 4 | Costco | 100.7 | ☆☆☆ |
| 5 | Best Buy | 94.0 | ☆☆ |
| 6 | Target | 91.2 | ☆☆ |
| 7 | Sams Club | 89.9 | ☆☆ |
| 8 | Walmart | 88.4 | ☆☆ |
No promotional use or advertising can be made of America's Most Trusted® survey results without the express prior written consent of Lifestory Research. America's Most Trusted® is a registered trademark of Lifestory with all rights reserved. Study results are based on survey responses and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Your experiences may vary.
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Brands Ranked in Study
The Lifestory Research America’s Most Trusted® study is focused on measuring consumers' opinions of the most recognized brands in the market. In the study, consumers rate the quality of a brand, their likelihood of recommending the brand to others, how favorable they feel about the brand, how they rate the reputation of the brand, and their trust in the brand.
Here, we provide information on the brands in the 2025 America’s Most Trusted® study. The brands are presented in the order they ranked in the 2025 America’s Most Trusted® study.
Home Depot
Home Depot, a multinational home improvement retailer, is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Established in 1978, the company has grown into a significant player in the home improvement sector, operating a vast network of warehouse-style stores that cater to both professional contractors and DIY homeowners. Home Depot is recognized for its extensive selection of products, including tools, construction materials, and home improvement supplies. In recent years, the company has enhanced its online presence and delivery services, further supporting customers during the pandemic and the shift toward e-commerce.
Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a major American home improvement retailer based in Mooresville, North Carolina. Founded in 1946, Lowe's operates a chain of stores offering a wide array of products for home improvement, including tools, appliances, and building materials. As a direct competitor to Home Depot, Lowe's has positioned itself as a customer-centric alternative, focusing on service and community engagement. The company has also made strides in expanding its online shopping capabilities and improving customer experience through technology and personalized service.
Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware Corporation operates as a cooperative of independently owned and operated hardware stores, with its headquarters located in Oak Brook, Illinois. Founded in 1924, Ace Hardware is known for its community-focused approach and commitment to customer service. Each store is individually operated, allowing them to tailor their product offerings to local needs. Ace stores provide a broad range of home improvement products, from tools and paint to garden supplies. In recent years, Ace has expanded its online shopping options, enhancing convenience for customers.
Costco
Costco Wholesale Corporation is a membership-based retail giant headquartered in Issaquah, Washington, established in 1983. While primarily known for groceries and general merchandise, Costco also offers a diverse selection of home improvement products, including tools, appliances, and furniture. The company's bulk purchasing model allows it to provide competitive prices. Costco has increasingly focused on expanding its home and garden sections to meet growing consumer demand for home improvement items, especially during the pandemic.
Best Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. is a multinational consumer electronics retailer based in Richfield, Minnesota, founded in 1966. Although primarily focused on electronics, Best Buy offers a range of home products, including appliances and smart home devices. The company has adapted to changing consumer preferences by providing services such as installation and tech support. Best Buy has also emphasized its commitment to sustainability, offering energy-efficient products and recycling programs for electronic waste.
Target
Target Corporation is a general merchandise retailer headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, founded in 1902. While not exclusively a home improvement store, Target provides a variety of home goods, including furniture, decor, and home improvement tools. The company has increasingly focused on curating stylish and affordable home products to appeal to a broad range of consumers. Target has enhanced its online shopping experience and same-day delivery services, responding to the growing demand for convenience in home shopping.
Sam's Club
Sam's Club is a membership-based retail warehouse owned by Walmart Inc., headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. Founded in 1983, Sam's Club offers bulk products at discounted prices, including home improvement items like tools and appliances. The warehouse club format allows members to purchase goods in larger quantities, often at lower prices than traditional retailers. Sam's Club has also expanded its online presence, allowing members to order products for delivery or curbside pickup.
Walmart
Walmart Inc., headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, is one of the largest multinational retail corporations in the world, founded in 1962. Walmart offers a wide range of products, including groceries, clothing, and home improvement items. The company provides tools, hardware, and appliances both in-store and online, positioning itself as a one-stop shop for consumers. In recent years, Walmart has invested in enhancing its e-commerce capabilities and improving customer service to compete more effectively in the retail landscape.
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Foundational Principles
At Lifestory Research, we pride ourselves on being an independent research company committed to delivering unbiased and accurate insights into consumer behavior. Unlike many studies that lean on expert opinions or committees, our approach is rooted firmly in the voices of consumers themselves. This commitment ensures that our findings seek to reflect public sentiment.
By prioritizing consumer opinions, we effectively eliminate the biases that can come from personal agendas or industry affiliations. Our research methodology captures a wide array of perspectives, allowing our results to be representative of the broader population.
Core Principles of Quality Research
We uphold several foundational principles that define top-tier consumer research:
Reliability: We ensure our research consistently produces accurate results.
Validity: Our methods guarantee we measure what we intend to measure.
Objectivity: We take great care to avoid bias throughout the research process.
Generalizability: Our findings can be applied to the larger population.
Our Commitment to Excellence
Lifestory Research adheres to these principles through a series of rigorous practices:
Rigorous Sampling Methods: We carefully select representative samples to generalize our findings to the broader population.
Standardized Survey Instruments: These ensure consistency and reliability in data collection.
Quality Control Measures: Our team meticulously reviews and analyzes data to identify and rectify inconsistencies.
Ethical Standards: We prioritize the well-being of our participants and uphold their privacy throughout the research process.
When you explore our findings, you can trust that they are grounded in the authentic opinions of real people. This dedication to integrity makes our research a valuable resource for businesses and consumers.
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What Is the America’s Most Trusted® Study?
The America’s Most Trusted® study focuses on evaluating brands that offer products or services to consumers in their homes, particularly in the residential new home industry. Instead of attempting to survey every brand, the study specifically targets the largest and most impactful brands in this sector.
How Does the Survey Work?
Conducted throughout the year, the America’s Most Trusted® survey aims to gather consumer opinions while minimizing biases that might arise from external events or trends. This year-long approach helps capture a more accurate snapshot of consumer sentiments.
Participants are surveyed based on specific criteria, such as whether they are actively considering a purchase in a relevant category—like buying a home, faucet, HVAC. Only those who express familiarity with a brand are invited to share their opinions on its trustworthiness, ensuring that the study reflects genuine consumer insights.
The Importance of Brand Awareness
An essential component of the study is brand awareness. Participants are first asked to identify brands they recognize. Only those who are familiar with a brand proceed to answer questions about it. This criterion ensures that only brands with sufficient public recognition are included in the final trust rankings.
Sampling Methodology
The study employs a non-probability sampling design, relying on online panels to recruit participants. Online panels are organizations that have an established relationship with consumers who agree to complete opinion surveys. Lifestory randomly ask consumers questions that identify consumers shopping for a specific product. Qualified consumers complete an online survey in which they are asked a set of questions about specific product brands.
The number of people completing a survey is referred to as the sample size. Each of the America’s Most Trusted studies seek to obtain a sample size that is large enough to be representative. The sample size is also designed to collect a large number of consumer opinions to minimize error and to assure the study results reflect the majority of consumers sentiment about a brand.
Calculating Trust Scores
At the heart of the America’s Most Trusted® study is the Net Trust Quotient Score. Participants evaluate brands based on their trustworthiness through a series of targeted questions. The responses are then categorized into three groups:
Advocates: Consumers who express strong trust in the brand.
Neutrals: Those who trust the brand but do not consider it superior to others.
Antagonists: Consumers with little to no trust in the brand.
These evaluations are quantified using a statistical method called a z-score, which standardizes the responses, allowing for easy comparison across brands. The results are ultimately transformed into T scores, which are more intuitive for understanding how each brand ranks relative to the mean score of all brands surveyed.
Additional information about the study can be found on the survey methodology page of this website.
Additional insights and questions about the America’s Most Trusted® study can be found in the frequently asked questions section of this website.