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My mother had a new counter top from Lowe's, she is old and not into shopping and comparing prices all over the place, so that takes care of that.
her counter tops, I believe are not granite, (not everyone has to have granite in order to live a happy and fufilling life) but another type of solid surface, and it looks just as nice.
They look nice, and whoever Lowe's sent to install them did a really good job. You cannot see a seam anywhere, and she has the corner angle or whatever.
I ordered a new toilet and installation from Lowes. A local plumbing company showed up with the toilet, they installed it, and removed the old one. I could not have been happier.
I ordered hardwood flooring from a local carpet/flooring company. Their installers showed up in an unmarked van. One spoke English, the other one did not. They did a good job.
Just goes to show how installer/store associations can vary.
I have used LOWES for several home improvement projects; replaced windows,and hard wood flooring were my major projects and in each case I optained multiple quotes and in both cases LOWES were my best bet. I did have a tile job in the bath rooms and the only problem was the mess the contracter made, Lowes took immediate steps to correct the problem. I do get a Military discount and take advantage of their "0" percent finance offer which also helps. I am currently in the process of replacing my HVAC system and Lowes and two independent contrctors bidding on the job.
I am in the midst of getting numerous estimates for a new roof and for giggles I went onto Lowe's website and gave them my info for my local store to call me for a consult. Lowe's actually installed my mom's laminate flooring and did a good job, so what did I have to lose by getting an estimate.
The guy calls me yesterday when I wasn't home, so he says he will call back today at 9:30 and sure enough, he called this morning. Here is what he said; "We come out, take measurements, show you shingle samples and discuss colors. There will be a $35 fee for this. You can pay with a credit card over the phone."
That is when I stopped him and said I didn't know there was going to be a fee for a freaking estimate. I don't need to see samples or colors. I know what a shingle looks like up close and the color I want. He said, "Well that is the fee we charge because we have to send someone out." I told him I would think about it, which means kiss off.
The guy calls back four hours later and tells me that they can wave the $35 fee, like he is giving me some sort of "deal". I told him to forget it. I wasn't going to get into a showcase showdown over an estimation fee. If the fee could be waved that easily, why not just do away with the damn thing??? I'll be damned if I pay a fee for someone to measure length and width and be done in five minutes. Lowe's made $47 billion in revenue last year. I wonder how much of that came from people dumb enough to pay their "fee's"? I asked mom if they charged her a fee for estimating the floor and the answer was no. Weird. I still love their store, but I won't be checking into their install services anymore.
Lowes hires subcontractors to do the work they don't have inhouse tradesman. That $35 covers the contractors time, fuel and wear and tear on his truck. Many estimates take over an hour in total of time including the drive there and drive back to the shop. Contractors are on the clock just like you and need to be paid for every hour of the day.
If your boss asked you to work for more then an hour free you would say hell no I'm sure. (if you are an hourly employee)
I charge a fee to come out but I waive the fee if I'm awarded the job.
At 3.50 a gallon for gas and my truck getting 10-15mpg we can't afford to burn all that money. Lots of time people keep calling contractors out to find the lowest price possible. Even though people who shop soley on price are not the customers I work for.
The person you quoted - kentuckydad95 - wrote that over three years ago and hasn't posted anything on C-D in over two years.
I bet he dealt with this already....
The person you quoted - kentuckydad95 - wrote that over three years ago and hasn't posted anything on C-D in over two years.
I bet he dealt with this already....
then quote the previous poster who bumped this thread...
I'm one of the last in my neighborhood to need a new roof so I have been watching the prices my neighbors are paying - which is about 5-7k for stripping the old roof and installing architectural shingles with ridge vent.
To start..... Lowes only offers a ONE YEAR labor warranty, period. The lowes project specialist will come into your home and misinform you about how wonderful lowes is, and the lifetime warranty you are getting, ect. The simple reality is that if your roof leaks after one year, you will be thrown to the dogs and deal with the nightmare of getting satisfaction from the manufacturer. Most reputable roofers offer a much better warranty.
Why on earth would you give your hard earned dollars to corporate idiots and not hire the same local contractor lowes uses and save 30-40% and have a better warranty. THESE CONTRACTORS DO NOT WORK DIRECTLY FOR LOWES they are simply contracted out. These are LOCAL CONTRACTORS who have a phone.
I worked in the lowes installed sales department for five years and you are reading comments from someone who knows the system inside and out.
Where you buy your materials doesn't really matter. Just shop prices, pick your shingle type, color, use a good synthetic moisture barrier if your roof is 8:12 pitch or below. 30 lb felt otherwise ( felt isn't as slick and is somewhat easier to maneuver on, on steep pitches) Make sure the installer knows you are familiar with the mfg. requirements on the number of nails required per shingle. Make sure they install a starter strip and drip edge and personally, I would use an engineered shingle for hips and ridge caps for a better look. I also like dimensional shingles and they don't cost much more than 3 tabs. lowes will tell you that you must use an engineered starter strip and ridgecap or void your warranty( more misinformation) You can use 3 tabs for starters and caps and this in no way will void any OCorning warranty although I prefer the engineered ridgecap for a better look. I would use a salvage or heavily discounted 3 tab for the starter strips. Color does not matter as you will never see them.
It's not hard to find out who their installers are. Use common sense...ask questions, where are the shingles being delivered, or simply stop at a lowes installation and get contact info. The contractors phone number is on the truck most of the time.
Again....use common sense when picking your roofer. Many have been in business for years and have references. They will give you a better warranty and peace of mind you want and you will SAVE BIG BUCKS
I know this is about Lowes but I went to Home Depot to get an estimate for tiling a screen porch, concrete floor, 140sq ft. They are waving the site visit fee ($35) and said if I opened a charge account I would get 10% off my next purchase. I asked like the entire tiling job? They said yes. The site visit will be Saturday.
I have been investigating having this job done for the past few months. The 4 independent flooring/tile companies I went to each rough quoted it at about $1,400. It was like they all used the same multiplication factor of $10 per sq ft. Also one of them has closed up since then. Sign on their front door says closed and retired. Thank you for your business. No forwarding anything.
Lowes and HD both rough quoted it at $850. Like they both used a multiplication factor of $6 per sq ft......LOL
Laying basic flooring tile is not rocket science. I actually have done some when I was younger.
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Lowes Roofing is a RIPOFF!
