Empty wood pallets generally cost about $5-$30 each when purchased from a pallet supplier, but Home Depot does not consistently sell standard shipping pallets as a nationwide retail item. At Home Depot, “pallet” may instead mean a bulk load of pavers, flooring, or other products; the price depends on the product, quantity, delivery, and local availability.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Used empty wood pallet | $5 | $10 | $20 | Typical supplier pricing; condition and size matter |
| New standard wood pallet | $15 | $22 | $35 | Usually 48 by 40 inches; not a guaranteed Home Depot item |
| Heavy-duty or custom pallet | $30 | $55 | $100+ | Higher capacity, special dimensions, or treated lumber |
| Home Depot pallet of merchandise | $200 | $600 | $2,000+ | Product, count, and delivery determine total |
What an Empty Pallet Typically Costs
For a standard 48-by-40-inch wood pallet, buyers commonly pay $5-$20 for a used unit and $15-$35 for a new one through pallet dealers, lumber yards, or online sellers. The average planning price is about $10 for a usable used pallet or $22 for a new standard pallet. These are market estimates, not a Home Depot price list.
Home Depot store inventory is primarily merchandise carried on pallets, rather than empty pallets sold as a regular product. A store might have damaged or surplus shipping pallets, but availability, condition, and permission to take them differ by location. Buyers should ask the store before loading one; a pallet visible behind a store or in a loading area is not automatically free or available for sale.
For an empty pallet, budget around $5-$35 before transport, and confirm the store actually sells or releases it. A single pallet may also cost more per unit than a bulk order because sellers may impose a minimum charge or delivery fee.
Assumptions: Standard 48-by-40-inch wood pallet, ordinary access, and U.S. retail or regional supplier pricing. Home Depot availability is location-specific.
How Lumber, Labor, and Delivery Shape the Quote
When a pallet supplier gives a quote, the price reflects more than the boards. New pallets use lumber, fasteners, and assembly labor; used pallets are graded by condition and checked for broken boards or loose blocks. Freight can outweigh the cost of one low-priced pallet, particularly for a small order delivered across town.
| Quote component | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used pallet, standard size | $5 each | $10 each | $20 each |
| New pallet lumber and assembly | $15 each | $22 each | $35 each |
| Heavy-duty or custom construction | $30 each | $55 each | $100+ each |
| Local delivery or small-order charge | $25 | $75 | $150+ |
| Bulk used pallet order, 20-50 units | $4 each | $8 each | $15 each |
Delivery varies with distance, quantity, truck access, and whether the supplier can stack the load efficiently. A $10 pallet with a $75 delivery fee effectively costs $85 when only one is ordered. For a 20-pallet order, the same fee adds $3.75 per unit. Ask whether prices include loading, unloading, and any minimum order.
For a made-to-order pallet, assembly labor may be included in the unit price or quoted separately. If listed separately, a rough planning range is $25-$60 per labor hour, depending on local rates and job complexity.
For a small purchase, delivery minimums can matter more than the difference between two pallet prices. Compare the delivered total, not only the per-pallet figure.
Why 48-by-40-Inch Size and Pallet Condition Change Price
Size is one of the clearest price drivers. The common 48-by-40-inch footprint is widely handled and often costs less than a nonstandard dimension. A custom pallet measuring 36 by 36 inches or 60 by 48 inches may cost $25-$60 for basic construction, while a specialized design can exceed $100 if it needs additional lumber, unusual spacing, or engineered load capacity.
Condition also changes the price. A used pallet with intact deck boards and sound stringers may sell for $8-$20. A visibly worn pallet with missing boards might be discounted to $3-$8, but it may not be suitable for a heavy load or repeated handling. New standard pallets often fall around $15-$35, and heat-treated or export-marked versions may cost roughly $20-$45.
Load rating should match the job. Light-duty pallets can work for storage or modest loads, while heavier goods may require reinforced construction. A quote for a pallet rated to carry 2,500 pounds may differ from one designed for a much lighter load; the rating should be confirmed with the seller rather than inferred from appearance. Moisture exposure, chemical treatment, and food-handling requirements can further narrow the appropriate options.
Nonstandard dimensions, a required load rating above 2,500 pounds, or heat treatment can add $5-$40 or more per pallet. Specify footprint, expected load, handling method, and indoor or outdoor use before comparing quotes.
Choose a Pallet Grade That Fits the Job
Buyers can reduce the price by choosing a used pallet when appearance and repeated service life are not essential. A sound, used standard pallet at $8-$15 can be adequate for garage storage, a one-time move, or a display base. For heavier goods or frequent forklift handling, a new pallet with a documented rating may be worth the additional $10-$20.
Before accepting a low-cost pallet, check for cracked stringers, protruding nails, rot, oil stains, and loose or missing boards. Repairing a lightly damaged pallet may cost $5-$15 in materials and labor, but a badly split load-bearing member can make repair uneconomical or unsafe. Do not assume that a pallet is suitable for food contact, international shipping, or outdoor exposure without confirming its treatment and construction.
Match condition and capacity to the actual use rather than paying for a new pallet when a sound used one will do. For recurring purchases, ask suppliers for prices at 10, 20, and 50 units; bulk discounts can reduce used-pallet rates by several dollars each.
Home Depot Pallets of Pavers and Flooring Cost More
At Home Depot, a search for “pallet” may bring up a pallet quantity of a product rather than an empty shipping pallet. A pallet of concrete pavers, for example, may contain enough units to cover roughly 100-150 square feet, with a product price around $400-$1,200 or more. The exact coverage and total depend on paver size, thickness, color, and brand.
Flooring and other building materials are also sold by case, bundle, or pallet. A flooring pallet may cost about $1,000-$3,000, depending on the material and square footage, while a pallet of blocks or retaining-wall units may run $300-$1,500. These are broad planning ranges; product listings and local store quotes determine the actual figure. Delivery, sales tax, and handling may be separate.
Check the listing’s unit coverage and product count before comparing pallet prices. One pallet covering 120 square feet at $600 costs $5 per square foot; another at $750 covering 180 square feet costs about $4.17 per square foot. A lower total price does not necessarily mean a lower material rate.
For palletized Home Depot merchandise, compare price per square foot, piece, or pound—not just the pallet total. Confirm whether the quoted quantity includes the pallet deposit or packaging and whether excess material can be returned.
Three Purchase Scenarios Show the Delivered Price
A single used pallet for a home storage project might be listed at $10, with a $25 pickup or minimum charge. The total is $35, or $35 per pallet. If the buyer can collect it locally, the cost may remain close to $10, subject to the seller’s pickup terms.
A small business ordering 20 used 48-by-40-inch pallets at $8 each would pay $160 for the units. With a $75 local delivery fee, the total becomes $235, or $11.75 per pallet before tax. A bulk quote of $7 each plus the same delivery would lower the delivered rate to $10.75 per pallet.
A new custom pallet measuring 60 by 48 inches, rated for a heavier load, might cost $45-$80 each. For a 10-unit order at $60 each, the product total is $600. If delivery is $100, the delivered total is $700, or $70 per pallet before tax. A supplier may quote a setup or design charge for a one-off specification.
These examples show why quantity, specification, and transport should appear together in a useful estimate. Request an itemized quote that states pallet dimensions, condition or grade, load rating, quantity, delivery, and taxes.
Local Availability Determines Whether Home Depot Has One
Empty pallet availability at Home Depot can differ by store and change as merchandise arrives or is unloaded. Some locations may direct customers to a local pallet recycler or sell surplus units; others may not provide empty pallets at all. Calling the store’s receiving department or customer service desk is more reliable than assuming the store’s online inventory shows every shipping pallet.
For standard empty pallets, local pallet yards and recyclers are often the most direct source. Used units commonly range from $5-$20, while new ones may run $15-$35. In large metro areas, delivery and disposal costs can be higher, but more suppliers may compete for orders. Rural buyers may face fewer vendors and longer delivery distances, adding $25-$150 or more to a small order.
Prices can also vary by roughly 10%-25% between regions because of lumber supply, labor, freight, and local demand. A quote near a major distribution hub may be lower than one in a remote market, while a surge in shipping demand can tighten used-pallet supply. For a pallet of Home Depot merchandise, local stock and delivery availability are separate from the price of an empty pallet.
Confirm the exact item, quantity, pickup rules, and delivered total with the local store or supplier before budgeting. If the goal is an empty pallet, describe the required size and intended load; if the goal is bulk merchandise, identify the product and coverage needed.