Lowe's debuts AI quoting tool for pros

Lowe's said on May 21 that it launched Material Lists, an AI-powered quoting tool for professional customers that converts handwritten notes, photos, spreadsheets and other supported files into quote-ready orders in minutes. The company said the feature supports both English and Spanish and is aimed at reducing time spent on estimating and quote preparation. The release came one day after Lowe's reported first-quarter results for the period ended May 1, 2026. Lowe's said on May 20 that comparable sales rose 0.6%, net earnings were $1.6 billion and diluted earnings per share were $2.90, while the company affirmed its full-year 2026 outlook. (corporate.lowes.com) ### What exactly does Lowe's say the new tool does? Material Lists takes source material that contractors already use on the job — including handwritten lists, photos and spreadsheets — and converts it into an order that can be turned into a customer quote, Lowe's said. The company described it as a way to simplify estimating and help Pros respond to customers faster. (corporate.lowes.com) Lowe's already offers online order quoting through its business accounts, where users can build quotes, save carts as quotes and share them with customers. Material Lists adds an AI layer at the front end of that process by turning unstructured job information into quote-ready orders, based on the company's description. That comparison is an inference from Lowe's existing quoting workflow and the new release. (corporate.lowes.com) ### Why is Lowe's aiming this at professional contractors? Lowe's has spent 2026 expanding tools and services for small- to medium-size professional customers. In a February 17 release, the company said it was broadening its Pro offering with expanded product access, digital tools for quoting and spend management, and MyLowe's Pro Rewards. (lowes.com) Quonta Vance, Lowe's executive vice president of Pro and Home Services, said in that February announcement that Pros are managing purchasing, project management and back-office work at the same time, and that Lowe's was building tools to help them quote work and keep operations moving. The new Material Lists tool fits into that stated strategy of speeding quoting and purchasing tasks for contractors. (corporate.lowes.com) ### How did Lowe's frame the launch alongside earnings? Lowe's paired the launch with a quarter in which it said sales to home professionals helped results. CNBC, citing Lowe's first-quarter report and analyst call, said the retailer posted adjusted earnings per share of $3.03 on revenue of $23.08 billion, above Wall Street expectations, and that strength in appliances, home services and sales to home professionals contributed to performance. (corporate.lowes.com) Marvin Ellison, Lowe's chief executive, said in the earnings release that the company was gaining market share in what he called a challenging housing environment shaped by elevated interest rates, higher costs and low housing turnover. Lowe's also disclosed $96 million in pre-tax expenses tied to the acquisitions of Foundation Building Materials and Artisan Design Group during the quarter. (cnbc.com) ### Where does this fit in Lowe's existing Pro workflow? Lowe's Pro pages say business customers can already use online quoting, track orders, review purchase history and access spend reporting through Lowe's digital channels. The retailer also markets dedicated Pro desk support, jobsite delivery options and quote assistance for project materials. (corporate.lowes.com) The next scheduled milestone Lowe's named is its full-year 2026 outlook, which it reaffirmed on May 20 at flat to up 2% comparable sales and adjusted earnings per share of $12.25 to $12.75, while Material Lists is now being rolled into the company's Pro tool set. (corporate.lowes.com) (lowes.com)