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Roofing work has one of the highest death/injury rates as measured by OSHA. In Florida, roughly half the total labor cost of installing shingles goes directly to the owners workman comp. insurance policy.
So if shingles cost $2000 and labor is $2500, contractor adds $2500 for work. comp., total is $7000
There is no reason to go to Lowes or Home Depot. They just sub out. Go to a roofing company. It may be the same company that they hire and you won't have to pay for the kick back.
Ack! I'm an interior specialist, and while I have a fair amount of how-to knowledge for exterior projects, I'm pretty useless when it comes to pricing things like decks, siding, and, of course, roofing. Which is why I'm having my Lowe's PSE (project specialist - exterior) come do a free estimate on my 30 year old shingles. I don't even want to know what it's going to cost.... *shudder*
I'm not denying that the pricing is geared more towards the store than the installer. However, what they lack in initial income they often make up in quantity of jobs, which leads to an increase in overall income. My specific department has four installers that are all booked out at least two weeks. We do a huge amount of volume with great satisfaction rates. Maybe we are simply the exception; I wouldn't like to think so, but maybe.
I rather work less for more over working harder for less...that's just me. I'm an electrician if I worked for Lowes or HD as a subcontractor they would for example pay about $45 to hang a ceiling fan. Whoopdee doo after I use my own truck, gas and tools. I charge $200 for a basic fan install and goes up. That may be too much for the tighwads that buy crappy fans that cost $50-$100 but for my better customers who drop $300+ for a quality fan it's nothing.
So I rather make more and work less. I may not be slammed with work at times but I can still pay my bills and more because I made more to cover me on those rainy days. I'm not going to bust my arse so someone can have luxury things in their home while I live like a peasant nope.
I rather work less for more over working harder for less...that's just me. I'm an electrician if I worked for Lowes or HD as a subcontractor they would for example pay about $45 to hang a ceiling fan. Whoopdee doo after I use my own truck, gas and tools. I charge $200 for a basic fan install and goes up. That may be too much for the tighwads that buy crappy fans that cost $50-$100 but for my better customers who drop $300+ for a quality fan it's nothing.
So I rather make more and work less. I may not be slammed with work at times but I can still pay my bills and more because I made more to cover me on those rainy days. I'm not going to bust my arse so someone can have luxury things in their home while I live like a peasant nope.
Can't blame you or deny you have a point. Glad you found a healthy balance.
To say flooring installers are not often the most sober and drug free people is very rude. That is back breaking labor I know Installers that have to have their knees drained back and shoulder shot up with cortisone and steroids. and for the desk jockey little salesman to say that I'd love to see you pass a UA or spend a little time in the trade. Your little carpet store will eventually get pushed out by the big box retailers especially when you bad mouth the people that make you money. you sell carpet it's not like the world's short on salesman any monkey dressed in his little suit and tie that doesn't want to work a real labor job could do that. I see you goons go like toilet paper. and for any bozo that things a carpet installer or flooring installer is going to do your whole house for $100 or whatever scam they are saying to get you in the doors right now. if you're dumb enough to believe that then you deserve them because you are a fool. I've worked for the companies that subcontract the big box stores. They mark up garbage materials and the installers make the same I'm not even going to tell you the whole story like I said if you're dumb enough to believe it then go get it.
I had Lowes put a new roof on my 1100 sq ft house. They did a good job and arrived when they said they would . Price was reasonable and financing was good. Job was done by 1 pm. I had no problems and would recommend them.
I just used Lowe's for bedroom carpet. After it was installed, I hated the way it looked -- it was a level-loop Stainmaster patterned carpet, yet it showed footprints that made it look dirty. I went back to the store and complained...gearing up for a huge fight. I showed the sales guy (same one who had sold me the carpet) pictures and he asked me to e-mail them to him. He showed me the "90-Day Lowe's Satisfaction Guarantee" on the back of the carpet sample, which I hadn't even noticed. Without any hassle at all, he agreed to taking out the carpet and replacing it with whatever else I chose. I didn't have to pay any additional labor. A few weeks later, I had my new carpet, which I love. The only glitch was that I had to make several calls to get the original carpet credited to my charge card. The credit was supposed to be processed when the original carpet was returned to the store by the installer.
I don't know if this is 90-day guarantee is a normal thing or something special, but thank goodness he pointed it out to me!
I cannot IMAGINE that any of the carpet stores would have done that. I imagine they would have told me it's not defective, then maybe to put in a warranty claim and have the manufacturer come out and look at it.....etc.
And BTW, the Lowe's subs did a great job. The previous carpet (done by a local carpet store) had staples that stuck out where the carpet met the bathroom tile and I was constantly stepping on them.
I believe one of the reasons people use Lowe's to install stuff is because of there low interest financing. They offer 5.99% 84 month financing on projects that cost $3,500 or more. When you don't have equity in your home to get a equity loan or money in a savings account, it sounds like a good deal. But if they are charging twice as much for services as people claim, looking at the numbers, is might not be such a deal.
If a project cost me $10,000 from Lowe's, with 84 month financing, it will cost $146.06 a month, Total cost, $12,269.04
But if I could get the same project done for half the cost, and charge it to my credit card, at
$5,000 charged on a credit card at 22% interest, it's $117.13 a month, Total cost $9,838.92.
I think it pays to shop around and get more than one quote. Personally I don't mind paying $35 for an estimate if I can save thousands of dollars on my project.
They offer 5.99% 84 month financing on projects that cost $3,500 or more.
Good god!! Who in their right mind would finance a project for 7 years?? I could see an emergency situation like your entire AC system needs to be replaced, but decking or a remodel? That's just stupid.
For those of you that have gotten a Lowe's estimate for a vinyl flooring install, how long did you have to wait for the estimate ?
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you vs me
