ATLANTA — Home Depot recently opened its third Home Depot Supply store designed for professional builders, contractors, tradesmen and property managers. The 130,000-square-foot Mesquite, Texas, store, which opened February 28, includes a tool rental center and has more experienced staff — an average of 10 years in the trades — than the typical Home Depot store, according to Home Depot officials.

The company also recently opened Home Depot Supply stores in Colma, Calif., and Phoenix. Home Depot officials said the company's strategy is to capture more of the $276 billion professional contractor market.

“Most people think of Home Depot as a store for the do-it-yourselfer, but 30 percent of our revenues come from professional contractors,” said Mesquite store manager Angel Espinoza. “Home Depot Supply is geared specifically to the needs and requirements of the professional customer. The Home Depot Supply has everything the trade professional needs. The store is essentially several supply houses under one roof.”

In addition to the tool rental section and a merchandise mix more oriented toward the professional contractor, Home Depot Supply has a blueprint area where builders and contractors can review plans or bids with clients and a concrete delivery service.

Home Depot Rental is No. 13 on the RER 100 and has tool rental departments in 465 stores.