Home Depot launches program to deliver supplies in three hours or less

The Home Depot is making urgent DIY jobs easier with a new Express Delivery service across the U.S. that promises to get eligible orders to customers in three hours or less.

The service, announced earlier this week, is available to both professional contractors and small-time customers for a flat fee. Home Depot has not said how much it will cost but shoppers will not need a subscription or membership to use the service.

The chain is relying on more than 2,000 U.S. stores to fulfill the orders, giving customers access to thousands of products without having to go pick them out themselves. The selection includes plumbing and electrical supplies, paint, tools, hardware and other common project essentials.

"Whether you're a DIYer who needs one more bag of fertilizer to finish the yard or a Pro running short on adhesives and caulk for a time-sensitive job, Express Delivery makes it easier than ever for our customers to get the supplies they need, right when they need them most,” Jordan Broggi, EVP of Interconnected Retail, said in a statement.

Customers can check whether an item is eligible for Express Delivery on its product page or at checkout. Home Depot says it is also working to make the delivery window even shorter in the coming months.

The express delivery launch comes after Home Depot got a boost from shoppers tackling smaller home improvement projects this summer. This helped the retailer post better-than-expected second-quarter results despite the ongoing slump in the U.S. housing market.

Revenue rose to $47.86 billion from $45.28 billion, beating the $47.24 billion analysts had expected, according to FactSet. Sales at stores open for at least a year increased 1.7 percent worldwide, while U.S. comparable sales rose 1.3 percent.

Express Delivery is just one of several delivery options Home Depot is expanding. Customers can also get free same-day delivery on orders of $25 or more placed by 4 p.m., according to the news release.

The retailer is also relying on an expanding network of delivery centers to speed up orders across categories including lighting, vanities, décor and building materials.

Home Depot says more than 65 percent of its in-stock parcel products can be delivered the same day or the next day, while about 55 percent of in-stock big-and-bulky orders can arrive within two days.

For customers replacing a major appliance, Home Depot is also expanding next-day delivery. The service now reaches about 60 percent of the U.S. population for select appliances, including refrigerators, washers and dryers, according to the company. The faster service can also help contractors who need to quickly replace an appliance as part of a time-sensitive repair.

What your grip strength and balance really say about healthy aging

Anna Faris says she ‘challenges’ her and Chris Pratt’s son over religion and views

Alfalfa sprouts recalled after linked to multi-state Salmonella and E. Coli outbreak