Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 19, 1999 09:00am | #2

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   If you let them set the price thats bad. I had a Yard that wanted me to install doors for a $40.00 flat fee. Tell me whats the matter with this picture? Thats just a little above expenses. Also you got young kids bidding jobs for you sight unseen. Clever of them don't you think.
   L. Siders

2. 
   Scott_O. | Jan 19, 1999 09:23am | #3

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   I have had to bid against Home Depot and Lowe's and their install programs. I can't compete with them for two main reasons.

   1. They have a built in profit margin, since they are also furnishing the product being installed. Many people want to know what I will charge to install the door (or cabinets, siding, whatever) that they bought at Home Depot.

   2. H.D. does not pay their installers what most of these jobs are really worth. I've talked to some of them, and I know this to be true.

   These insallers come and go like a revolving door. Many are hard up for a job because they do such poor work. Then they won't go out on a call back because they didn't make any money on the job to start with. Everyone winds up getting ticked off, and the whole remodeling profession gets another black eye.

   I am in no way suggesting that you are in the same category with these types - you may be the best installer around.

   I believe the installation programs at these home center stores are the worst thing to happen to our business in many years. They take food off the table of every legitimate remodeler.

1. 
   wojo | Jan 19, 1999 09:38am | #4

   *Maybe they'll give you a uniform and a hat.

3. 
   Guest_ | Jan 19, 1999 07:07pm | #5

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   Scott,
   Maybe they are good for the industry. If their work is sub par word will leak out and they will only get the bottom of the barrel cost is everything types who are a real pain in the ass.

   Also, I had a job years ago that involved removing a window and installing a sliding glass door. I got this because the Home Center would not do the job, too complicated. I really think they cherry pick. I may be wrong, but for the most part they want the straight forward no surprises replacement work.

   For a kitchen do they even send someone to the site? What if the home owner wants a bearing wall removed, do they do this? Who pays for all their misses in estimates, like re-routing plumbing, ductwork, electric lines?

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 15, 1999 03:30am | #1

   *I read and article recently in Remodeling magazine that said they thought as the "big guys" start providing installation services for their products that they would actually raise the bar for remodeling costs. People would think that if this is what Home Depot is charging to put it in then Joe Independents price isnt all that bad. Sounds like this is not the case. I would definitely do your homework, make sure you are getting paid what you are worth. The Handyman business is a multi-million dollar industry. Overhead for this type of work is very high, and any call backs will bury your profit.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 19, 1999 10:32pm | #6

   *I can't imagine installing anything for $40. By the time you make two phone calls, drive there and back you got two hours into the job. Maybe thats why they don't flash, caulk, or insulate around them - but "You don't need to do all that anyways."-Rob

4. 
   rick_m | Jan 27, 1999 08:13am | #7

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   Alot of people who shop at HD. are looking for a good deal and many know that if they complain enough about anything thier likely to get an even bigger savings. God help you if you are r ever late for an apointment, run into extra work or open up the package to find missing parts. Then again maybe the person who is running the install department will see fit to take the additional cost out of his departments profit. But I wouldn't bet on that.

5. 
   Guest_ | Jan 27, 1999 09:16pm | #8

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   Fear of the unknown... The Home Depot Bugeyman...

   Some facts?...Try to become an approved installer for Lowes. First you need the best insurance including commercial insurance on your pickup. Then they also do a Pinkerton's full back ground check, etc. They're not interested in poor performance or deadbeats wrecking their billion dollar reputation, so maybe the door revolves sometimes, I don't know. What they see is an opportunity. People have lots of problems with contractors and they feel that professional management ala corporate American style might just be what it takes to beat the average Joe. And mostly their customers are asking for installation. Its a no brainer for them. Their biggest fear is trying to find people that can do good work responsibly and on time.

   I got approved and was let in on the system and haven't done anymore with them yet...more of those d*mn fears running the show.

   Their system so they said;
   Jobs are given to you to estimate on site. Your job is to measure and check out all considerations including what may be difficulties or unknown. Lowes sets the price from your measurments and discussion.
   b You are paid
   for the trip to measure.
   You also have the oportunity to sell directly to your knew customer more services besides the "door." If you're doing lots of work for them, then you're more efficient and don't just drive to one job, hang a door, then drive home and sit on the couch. No it would be better to stop and have some beers for me...

   Anyway...this post ought to start some action here.

   Competition? They'll never capture the whole market. Remember this, through the eyes of the consumer, they do seem to run a fairly large business successfully...Is it all smoke and mirrors?

   We all need to be willing to change. Know what are strengths are, and keep defining and refining our specialties or niche. In short compete!

   To the winners go the spoils...

   Almost time for a beer.

6. 
   Rob_Rehm | Jan 29, 1999 08:41am | #9

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   You need to be careful in dealing with any installation program. I was an installation coordinator for HQ(hechingers) and can tell you from the inside that most of the pepole running these programs don't have a clue about the real process of remodeling.

   Mostly the programs are in place to move product.When a home owner comes into the store thay don't always know where to find a contractor. The big boxes (Dpot, Lowes, etc) recognized this and began the install programs as a way to capture the lost sales. they continue to do it because it works.

   Not all programs are bad. Depot has a fast pay program that works quite well. The set prices arelower than what i normally charge but then you don't have to go to the house and deal with selection and selling the job. Kitchens and baths are generally priced through a site visit by the contractor.

   I am involved in a program with a small regional store that hired experienced pepole from the big boxes to run the program at a local level. While they may not be experienced in the field, they understand the administrative side and listen to the installers. They also have no problem with us selling additional work to the customer. Alll thay ask is we try to use products from them as often as possible. Works for me.

7. 
   kriedel | Jan 30, 1999 04:25am | #10

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   I have an opportunity to be an installer for Home Depot and Lowe's, installing entrance doors, storm doors, faucets, and other handyman type jobs. They have their own pay scale. What has YOUR experience been?

8. 
   Guest_ | Jan 30, 1999 04:25am | #11

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   Thanks for your thoughts. I hope more people add their thoughts as the big boxes are just starting to enter the installed business where I live and we all need to know how to benefit and compete with them.