Home Depot Home services?

[DRH1175]

We are putting in 23 replacement windows using Home Depot Home Services. Anyone have any Experience with them? Good or bad? Their prices seem to blow away the competition and it comes with a lifetime warranty.

[Shack]

Last summer, my parents had a contractor (husband and wife team) install a counter top in their bathroom threw a large named big box loacation. They said they did not want to bother me and just paid to have it done. Well, it ended up looking terrible. My mother filed a complaint with the big box store and they never could get those people back out to fix it. I ended up having to remove and reapply silicone and it looks better. It ended being a fingure pointing thing between Home Depot and the contractor and I do not think anything was ever resolved in the end.

This was a one time situation and I can not say it happens all the time.

I would find out the company the big box store is sending out and to some back ground checking with them.

I will also add, I feel they where over charged for the install from this big box store.

Good luck...

[The Grebe]

In the last month, we had our whole kitchen redone, cabinets, dishwasher, micro wave, counter tops, electrical, the works, through Home Depot.

For the most part, things were okay. The designer gave us some bogus information on a couple of occassions, but she was adept at covering her tracks well, so nothing could be done about it, that I wasn't to happy about, but nothing big anyways..certainly no deal breaker.

Having them do the install, we didn't have to pay sales tax on the purchase and the guys that came in and done the work were really good....except.

The counter tops were the last item to come and they were premade....the measurments were wrong and the whole thing had to be redone. The two man crew that came in to do the work, were a pair to draw to, thats for sure! Maxie and Myer for hire...I was a hairs width of telling them to pack up their stuff and hit the silk!

Anyways, I requested that that duo does not come back when the new counter top arrives. We have been waiting about 3 weeks now and we were told that the new counter top will be in and ready for the reinstall the week of the 24th, we'll see? Other then a few little glitches along the way, it's been okay...aside from being the wrong size, the counter top looked good.

[Roofer]

Their prices are outrageous.

The reason why is because HD is acting like a GC and hiring out the jobs to subs. Subs are usually unlicensed companies. HD has one license issued in the DOLI. Their work is all subbed out to independents.

Sears did the same in the past with siding and windows. The lifetime warranty isn't what it is said to be, because as soon as the sub goes out of business or doesn't sub for them anymore, your warranty is gone.

Do some internet searches and you can find lots of complaints of companies doing business this way.

I know this doesn't help your situation, but the truth and facts are out there.

[Roofer]

Copied from consumer affairs...................

James of Weymouth MA (03/15/08)

I got no names for the non English speaking roofers. They had to be summoned back due to shoddy work on new roof installation. Leaked all around chimney and didn't replace rotted area with proper plywood. I still believe this roofing job is a bad one and will need future inspection. I do not believe proper flashing around chimney was done. The contractor also left numerous nails on my crushed stone driveway, resulting in 3 flat tires in 3 months.

Ceiling and wall damage with stains inside my bedroom.

----------------------------------------------------------------

There are hundreds of these similar complaints. I would reconsider your order.

[Shack]

Roofer,

If remember correctly (with out talking to my mom), the husband and wife team ended up getting a divorce a couple months later and that became an issue. Also, if I recall they had not been doing handy work for long and it was a hobby they wanted to turn into a carrier (the husband had been laid-off from his other job). My mom found this out while chatting with them during the install, which I will add took them two visits to finish.

[Scott K]

You guys might want to hold back on knocking one company, it is against forum policy. Not that I care!

[Roofer]

I believe it shackbash. Some of the stories are unbelievable. they will hire anyone.

Sorry to bring all this info to you DRH1175. I just hate seeing people get screwed over because a company has a big name and accepts credit cards. Those two reasons alone get them most of their business. I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but it's the truth and I hope that is really what you were after when asking the question.

[Roofer]

 Originally Posted By: 4wanderingeyes

You guys might want to hold back on knocking one company, it is against forum policy. Not that I care!

You're probably right, but is that for posting opinions or facts?

[Dave S]

I would hold out on naming any one company and maybe generalize the statements to something as "Contractors Hired through retail outlets"

I agree with all that has been said, but we need to adhere to forum policy.

[Shack]

I edited my post .

I am sure some good storied will spill over soon. I do not blame the Big box sotre for the issue, I wished they would stand behind who they sent out.

[Dave S]

Thanks Shackbash.

I have noticed that customer service, no matter where we go, has gotten incredibly worse. No matter where or who it is, it has gone down hill.

Sorry to hear of your parents ordeal.

[Shack]

I would not call it an ordeal, but more of a learning experience .

A tube of colored silicone touched up the major gap areas and I redid the back splash around the wall and corner with white silicone. It looks ok now. They used a construction grade adhesive to mount the counter top and pieces (granite) and they could not be removed and reset, but unless you stare at it, you never notice the whole thing is set crooked.

[Roofer]

Sorry to be so negative, but I do blame the stores. They are the ones in control and making the money. They should stand behind their services no matter what. If you have seen or heard about their contracts with customers and the subs they hire, you would see my point.

No, I have not worked for any of the stores, but have read and heard alot of the horror stories.

I agree customer service has gone way down hill. It seems to be worse the bigger the company is.

[Scott K]

Thanks for the heads up on this, by the way! I was looking for a new patio door and gave them some thought on it. Now I wont even include them in the replacement.

[The Grebe]

The installer for our cabinets worked for HD per sey...he used to be a contractor. He uses their tools and is under the auspices of their project manager and he gets paid by the hour....the guys were scrambling to get their 40 hours for the week. Our installer 'Eric' was a craftsmen, he didn't miss a stroke and took pride in his work, 10's all across the board. A professional looking job done by a professional craftsmen.

The electricans were subs, as were the plumbers, all answering back to the project manager...never any problems. The counters are made independently at a different shop, but installed by the HD installers.

Even if an indepentant contractor is used, I would have to think that any outfit that valued their reputation and their protection against lawsuits, and action by the state, would adhere to the rules that govern using independent contractors...All must have proof of insurance, workmans comp., liability etc. Minnesota and I would guess most all states for that matter, have set rules for doing business.

There are people that do work on the side and without the neccessary insurance, or credentials, but I don't believe you are going to find alot of them with any kind of long term relationship with the larger stores? That could be a catastrophic business practice!

[The Grebe]

Again, I have to differ with ya to a degree bud. There are businesses out there that forget about you once the check is signed, but I've run into a few lately that have provided service after the fact...the biggest and the best being Window World.

[sparcebag]

HomeDepot has for years been bad on most everything they tried,restructured 3 times now and yet the same complaints of,lack of knowledge of employees,no in store help with products,poor subcontracters,I believe their rated lowest of all do it yourself boxstores,Decent products but not really centered around their clientele.Personally I go elsewhere.

[DRH1175]

Well thanks. I may be limited to Home Depot because of the financing options. Personally if it was my own house I like to go with reputable smaller contractors that use Top of the line products. But I am in a bind. Trying to fix grandmas house on a limited budget. The current windows are about 70 years old and do not even open. Are extreamly drafty. My inlaws had real good luck with a kitchen install with Silestone. So I thought it was worth a try. I will be there the whole time making sure it is done right. I would most likely even do it myself but I just don't have the time. Last summer I spent most of the summer remodeling the house. Only to let my Lund collect dust in the garage. I want to get it done in a day or two.

Thanks for all opinions Experiences. I guess I will just cross my fingers and hope for the best.

[DRH1175]

I will give lowes a check too before I sign on the dotted line.

[NAPAFISH]

I have had HD contractors install a garage door and a front door. Have had no problems at all. Work was fast and on time. Could not be more happier. Plus, 12 months no interest really works out well

[JAR JAR]

DRH1175, Check with some of your local independant lumber yards before you sign. Most people have it stuck in their heads that Big Boxes are going to have the best price. you will be surprised when you walk into a "smaller lumber yard" at the service and ( don't be shocked ) the prices. The contractors that work out of the Big Boxes do not < per say > work for them they just work under their name as long as they buy all their product from them. Be sure to get a licsensed contractor to do the job and ask for creditials and references this will cover your butt in the long run.

I am not on here to knock anyones business or to tell you not to buy from Home Depot, they do have a good line of product and have some good people working for them, but make sure you do get some quotes and just don't assume that the Boxes have the best deal.

Just one more note: Ask about a delivery fee, some of the smaller yards will wave a delivery fee if the cost is a certain amount.

Jar Jar

[Surface Tension]

Lets not use this thread to knock a store around.

If we were to ask for bad experiences from any brand X store no matter who it is your going to get some negative feedback.

So before you sign on the dotted line ask your questions like who will be performing the work. Ask for references and in the end ask that store if they are going to stand behind you or the sub.

As Jar Jar said, your best deal isn't necessarily going to be from the big chain stores. Shop around.

[JohnMickish]

Any place that will match any competitors price dosen't have the lowest price. You will be surprized as how competitive the small to medium shops are.

[Walleye Guy]

My Home Depot installation service will be part of the minority view. I built a lake home in western WI about 5 years ago. I had HD design the kitchen cabinet layout and we bought some top of the line cabinets from them. I had a dilemna in that identifying good contractors in an area where I don't live was time consuming and still possibly risky. I had HD have one of their contractors come out and give me a bid. I was impressed with the guy, checked into his references and pulled the trigger.

I was very impressed with the guys work. He was a perfectionist. Almost to a fault in that he took quite a bit longer than was originally estimated. This did not influence the cost as it was a fixed bid project. I did need to stay an extra day while they finished up the project. The guy was from Circle Pines and had about a 50 mile drive to the job. He was punctual and a truly nice guy. I will be using him for cabinet installation (on a direct basis without HD's involvement) when I finish the cabin's basement and install cabinets and the bar.

A couple more thoughts. Big box stores make a mark-up on these deals and probably add some cost. However they SHOULD give you an additional level of recourse should you have issues. If you have issue be persistent in getting them resolved. If you have issues, express them at the store at the customer service counter. You will get more reaction then if you are doing it over the phone. They hate having disgruntled customers in front of their other customers. That being said going through a big box store shouldn't eliminate your due diligence such as checking references.