Experiences with kitchen remodeling through Home Depot or Lowes?

[DisneyBeagle]

We have a small kitchen at work that we would like to remodel (new cabinets, new floor, paint, etc.). There would be no structural changes, just removal and installation of new items. Do any of you have experiences with using Home Depot or Lowes for this type of project?

 

[mickeysgal]

We have remodeled our kitchen (gutted and replaced cabinets) and installed a kitchette all through Lowes (Diamond cabinets). It all depends on the designer you have. I am extemely, extremely, picky and detailed and if I didn't have the Lowes designer I had, I would have searched for a custom shop/kitchen designer. She is the only one I'd let design for me. I tried another Lowes and a Home Depot to get general baseline pricing and the designers at those locations didn't hold a candle to the one I use at this particular Lowes. It's all in who you have designing. Be careful with your choice...review everything. I was lucky - I found someone that stayed 10 steps ahead of me, quickly learned my taste and how to cater to it, and was extemely knowledgable about each and every product line, and could CAD design like no other. It took us a couple of months to fully design the kitchen; we even had to bring in the Diamond rep on a couple of tricky design pieces and the end result - it's a show stopper. Good luck!

 

[barkley]

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 are about to do a home improvement project, and i'm using an excellent local construction company. i am purchasing the items myself, but as far as the installation-they will handle all of it.

 

[Mimi1965]

I got an estimate from Lowe's for a new Roof-about $16,000

And then the salesman kept bugging me when I declined

I used a local roofer-picked my shingles at the hardware store and he picked up all the roofing supplies and it costs $8000+

 

[TiggerStac]

bad bad bad experience w/HD> I tiled kitchen 2 baths, carpet living room, corian counters in kitchen. All new appliances in kitchen. Never again and won't recommend them either.

Prob w/HD and 2 of the contractors. Too many problems to list out!

 

[Mimi1965]

I had another project by them that reminds me of something-the workers DO NOT WORK for Lowe's. They are independent contractors and its the luck o fthe draw who does your work.They have a list and go to the next one on the list.

I prefer to find a person recommended by others to use

 

[Swank]

We went through Home Depot for our kitchen. The planner came up with a great design and contractor did a great job, and for a good price. I felt a little more secure when going through Home Depot because at least they most likely have dealt with the contractor before. If I tried to find a contractor on my own it would have been a shot it the dark to find a good one. Since my payments went through home depot I knew I could withhold the last payment until the job was done to my satisfaction. And on another note a few months later a cabinet door split and it was a breeze going through Home Depot to get the Replacement door ordered and delivered.

 

[tnkr mom]

Exactly as Mimi1965 said - its the luck of the draw with getting a contractor! I have heard horrible stories of chop jobs and our company has corrected several jobs that both HD and L's has done! Buyer Beware and Ask a lot of questions if you go that route. If they were a good/busy contractor they would not be looking for work at HD's and L's!

 

[mjkacmom]

I always use an independent contractor that has good referrals. I know a woman who worked (and got fired eventually) from Lowes as a designer. She claims she was poorly trained, had no idea what she was doing, and made some major mistakes. Contractors are in your home - I want to know people who have used them.

 

[kirstenb1]

We used a local kitchen design place, but I have a friend with a huge kitchen. She used Home Depot and was very pleased. This friend is really picky, so if she was pleased, then that says a lot.

 

[golfgal]

I know of people that got QUOTES from Lowes and Home Depot for kitchen remodels but found the local kitchen design center to be more affordable, better quality and better service. I think people assume that because they are a big box store they are less expensive and don't really shop around. I would make sure you check out the local stores too.

 

[barkley]

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.

 

[FergieTCat]

I had my small kitchen completely renovated through Home Depot (cabinets, countertops, floor.) It was expensive but I paid over 12 months, no interest, with a Home Depot Card. I am very happy with the results.

The only delay was with the flooring. Someone at Home Depot never put in the order to the flooring manufacturers, but once that got taken care of (many, many phone calls later, including several to the manufacturer), it was very good.

They give you an estimate and you can add or subtract what you want or don't want.

I think alot depends on the contractor. Home Depot turns the job over to a contractor. My contracting company was awesome and had things going like clockwork.

Overall, if I have to do it again, I'll use Home Depot.

 

[Cindy B]

Just redid our kitchen recently via Lowe's. We trusted the designer, and even interviewed the contractor before he did work.

Lowe's did the corian counter, integrated sink, cabinets, backsplash

We painted and did the floor ourselves.

The countertop installers were well, not super professional. We called Lowe's right away when THE INSTALLERS WERE THERE. The boss from Lowe's came out to the house! Lowe's made it right immediately.

The cabinet and backsplash guy was amazing. Super professional and very knoweledgeable.

 

[Maryr1]

bad bad experience with Lowe's. My mothers friend (85 year old woman-no local children) decided she needed a new kitchen counter. Picked one at Lowe's. They came out and measured it. She ordered and payed the hefty deposit. MONTHS later, they came out, removed the old counter and installed the new counter-and it didn't fit!!!!!!! They reordered the counter to the correct size and harrassed her to pay the balance. Remember, she is a nice old lady. She payed. MONTHS later they came out to reinstall (now remember, she has been in a mess all these months because the counter was removed and the new one couldn't stay in place because it didn't fit). Guess what? No integrated back spash on this one-OOOPS! They "forgot" that part of the special order!!!! But really, it doesn't look bad so why doesn't she just be reasonable and keep it-who would know it was supposed to have a back splash??? No, they did not offer to reduce her bill. They went back and forth for months trying to convince her see it their way..... At this point she asked my husband to call and find out what she could do. He called, told them to fix it and fix it NOW. After a stern talking to by him, they fixed it and I believe refunded a small amount of money to her. (Like maybe $50). She was without a counter for 1 year, and then lived with the incorrect one for 6 months while it was being resolved. NEVER NEVER NEVER would I hire Lowes to do anything.

 

[DisneyBeagle]

Wow, it looks like I'm getting mixed reviews on this subject. We'll have to meet with the designer and contractors and get a feel for them before we begin anything.

 

[clutter]

I'm going through the process now. I've got a well-recommended contractor who came over with the beginning of the estimates last night. His materials, at contractor price with no upcharge, are (I believe) significantly lower than Lowes/Home Depot. I'm actually considering making a visit there just to price compare. Seeing as the job will take a couple weeks (remember, they have to measure/order the countertop after cabinets are installed), I want someone that I know I can trust in my house, not some random stranger.

 

[mickeysgal]

I need to clarify my prior comments. We had our kitchen and kitchette DESIGNED by Lowes but installed by my own contractor who had done multiple other remodeling jobs for us. The designer was head and shoulders above anyone else we've ever worked with. For installation, I only use my contractor. It's too much money and too much unknown for me to wing it with their contractors who I don't know.

 

[christineann]

I mentioned to the contractor who built my son's house that I may look into putting granite countertops in some day, and he said that most independent contractors (reputable ones) are better and less expensive than the home improvement stores. I've heard too many horror stories about installations using the home improvement stores' contractors.

 

[zurgswife]

We had a great designer with Lowe's. Did a great job working with us. We did all the installation ourselves except the counter top....