Experiences with kitchen remodeling through Home Depot or Lowes?

[Kathi OD]

a suggestion that's worked VERY well for us in locating excellent licensed and qualified contractors for home improvements-

call your homeowner's insurance agent (your local person), ask them who they would be referring you to if you submitted a claim for the kind of work you need done. in my experience, insurance companies use contractors that are fairly priced, highly qualified, AND stand behind their work (primarily because most insurance policies state that if you use one of the company's "preferred providers" and there's an issue down the line, the insurance company has to address it/pay up to make it right).

when you get suggestions from the agent contact the contractors and MAKE SURE you tell them who referred you (i've found they will be much more responsive because they know that any negative feedback you have will likely go directly to that agent who referred you, and those insurance jobs can be the 'bread and butter' of their buisness).

we've found electricians, plumbers, painters and general contractors this way.

for general handyman work i've found that a call to an established, well regarded local real estate office is a good resource. they tend to have people they work with who do cosmetic and minor jobs very quickly and efficiently in order to get homes ready to get listed.


if you end up using a general contractor, and you realy like the work a particular worker does-ask the worker if they are employed by the contractor or are a sub-contractor. if they are a sub, ask for a buisness card to file away. then if you just need their particular skill in the future you've got a proven resource.

I think that this is an awesome idea.

 

[mickeysgal]

Zombie thread from 2010?

 

[rwdavis2]

i don't have any personal experience with either, but one issue i know that came up with 2 different co-workers that used lowes for the installation of items they purchased there was when they had problems with the job lowes informed them that since the installers are independant contractors and not employed by lowes the homeowners had to work it out themselves. when we were looking do do new flooring for our last home we checked out both lowes and home depot, were tempted by the lower price for installation, but when we learned that again, these were independant contractors the stores would'nt back up if there were problems, went with finding our own installer.

We had this type of experience with Lowes. Installed new flooring on the first floor. The first two installers were a couple of meth heads and it went downhill from there. It took 5 different contractors through Lowes and about six months to finish. They refunded the entire installation fee it was so bad.

 

[Robbi]

Just to add to the zombie thread:
My mom and dad had Lowes install new floors and reface their kitchen. Everything is gorgeous and the work is top notch. They do use local independent contractors. The ones in our area are excellent. In other areas, they might not be great. I'd ask for phone numbers of people who have had work done for them to check out their experience.
We bought cabinets from Lowes several years ago for the bathroom in our previous house and they were beautiful and well built. My husband has built furniture as a hobby for 25 years furniture and he was very impressed with the workmanship.

 

[Twende]

We just had a Home Depot carpet installed today. It was done through one of their contractors. They were here on time and in fact early and did a great job. I would use them again!