(MONEY Magazine) – Having already dominated malls and highways across the United States, Home Depot will stake its turf in cyberspace this summer when the home improvement behemoth starts selling paints, tools and light bulbs on the Internet. Lowe's, its biggest competitor, also plans to start selling its wares online this year. But spring is fix-up-the-house season, so if you don't want to wait--or if you're looking for a bigger selection of high-end products than the one at your local discount store--the Net already offers some savings for do-it-yourselfers. (For more on financing home renovation, see page 148.)

A few cautions before we begin: Unless you already know what you want, you should probably start by visiting your local hardware and building-supply stores. Not only do you have a chance to get behind an electric saw and test-drive it, but you can jot down model numbers and local prices, which could ultimately best those you find online. Don't bother looking online for commodity items like screwdrivers or paintbrushes; you aren't going to find enormous savings on low-margin items. And remember that you'll have to factor in shipping costs and, on rare occasions, sales taxes.

Once you have a fairly good idea of what you're looking for, hit the Net. Start at the manufacturer's website (type in the brand name--chances are it's also the Web address). Most wholesalers, including paintmaker Benjamin Moore and toolmaker Makita, don't sell directly to consumers for fear of ruining their relationships with retailers, but they do supply handy product specifications and model numbers, and sometimes a suggested retail price. (Beware: The key word here is "suggested." You should almost always be able to find a better price.) Next, see what comes up on a search engine. My search for "Milwaukee sander" on Yahoo! returned one website that was selling a sander for $63.87 (including shipping)--not the best price, as I later discovered (see below).

When I started my online quest, I found the pickings surprisingly slim; home improvement is not as mature an online industry as books or CDs. But after looking at dozens of websites, I found seven (described below) that consistently offered the easiest shopping experience and lowest prices. A couple also list staff picks for undecided buyers, and most have toll-free numbers for questions. If you still have time and want to try bargaining, go back to the neighborhood stores. Some retailers feel threatened by the Internet, so let them know about any incredible deal you've scored online. They might try to beat it.

Tools

You won't be doing much without the necessary tools, so it makes sense to start with this category. Need a serious electric handsaw or a power drill? Because there are approximately 45,000 products from more than 800 manufacturers, Hardware.com (www.hardware.com) probably carries what you want. Very user-friendly and well designed, the website includes useful product information and photographs. Not sure what to buy? E-mail the staff with questions, and you'll receive suggestions within 24 hours. Or just check out the staff's favorites, which recently included a Milwaukee electric saw ($107.30 including shipping) and a Black & Decker Workmate clamp ($145.70 including shipping). There are some great buys. Recently, a half-inch DeWalt electric drill cost $137.41 online (including shipping). Tool Center, a hardware store near Salt Lake City, was charging $22 more. And that Milwaukee sander I found on Yahoo! for $63.87 was $58.86 with shipping. Homewarehouse.com (www.homewarehouse.com) did not beat Hardware.com's price on the DeWalt drill, but a similar Bosch drill was on sale for less. Watch for its specials.

Plumbing fixtures

One unwelcome discovery that comes with renovating your bathroom is that a good faucet or showerhead can cost more than a toilet. Faucet Outlet (www .faucet.com) takes the bite out of a plumbing upgrade. This website offers 40 different brands (including European ones) and 38,000 products, including sinks, toilets and even bidets for the Euro in you. I found a Jado Classic polished chrome sink fixture for $366.76 (including shipping). That same faucet cost more than $400 at Plumbing Connection, outside San Jose. If you can't find what you're looking for at the site, you can call 800-444-5783 for a price.

Lighting fixtures

Some sites won't sell you the item you're looking for, but they'll tell you where to find it. That's what HomePortfolio.com (www.homeportfolio.com) does. Among the site's offerings--from appliances to wallpaper--is an impressive array of lighting products. When I looked for an Illuminating Experiences bathroom light fixture, I was able to find the names, addresses and telephone numbers of 10 retailers within a 12-mile radius of my house. One store I called quoted a price of $120. Another, an upscale home improvement store, was charging $167. I scored with the third: $88. HomePortfolio.com also offers "my portfolio," an online album to keep track of your favorite products in case you want to think twice before buying or to e-mail your picks to a designer.

Ceramic tiles

For tile, I had the best experiences at FastFloors.com (www.fastfloors.com), which is not quite ready to provide a complete online shopping experience. The site has product info and good bargains but won't yet let you place an order over the Internet. You still need to (perish the thought) use the phone. Besides information on types of tiles and their installation, the website provides a toll-free hotline should you have any questions. FastFloors guarantees prices 15% to 40% lower than any retailer on a wide variety of tiles from 20 companies. A Daltile tile store near Miami, for example, was selling a box of 100 four-inch-by-four-inch tiles, approximately enough to cover 12.5 square feet, for $150. The tab at FastFloors: $126. Shipping costs run 20[cents] to 40[cents] per square foot, depending on your proximity to the distributor or dealer who fills your order. (Note: If you live in Florida, where FastFloors is based, you'll pay sales tax.)

Antique hardware and ornaments

If today's products just aren't doing it for you, try shopping for antiques online. It's all about timing, so keep checking back if you can't find your item. Ed Donaldson (www.eddonaldson.com) offers plenty of restored antique hardware, including doorknobs, knockers and locks. And while you may not really need a gargoyle in your kitchen, I found it hard to resist the old brownstone elements that Old House Parts (www.oldhouseparts.com), based in Kennebunk, Maine, was selling for $95 apiece. If you have your heart set on a specific thing, e-mail Old House Parts and they'll hunt it down.

E-mail online shopping questions to online_shopping@moneymail.com.