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Regular Contributor
Posts: 218
Registered: ‎03-12-2010

Re: Anyone used Lowe’s for a home project?

They sent 1 guy to replace and install a garage door and opener.  I was skeptical but he did a great job, cleaned up and took the old door away. I am well pleased.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,936
Registered: ‎07-02-2015

Re: Anyone used Lowe’s for a home project?

@SahmIam

 

you say <yes, I would recommend Lowes for your job.>>

 

Considering how many Lowe's stores exist and how many random contractors they might hire in a particular locality,  I would say the homeowner might want  to know a lot more about that particular local store, that store's particular management, and the identity, work record and quality of the particular contractors that store might have available to do the job.

 

Just my opinion.  Recommending someone or some company for a particular job should involve some  known references as to quality of the work and service  that they perform in that particular town, no?

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,139
Registered: ‎04-16-2010

Re: Anyone used Lowe’s for a home project?


@novamc1 wrote:

@SahmIam

 

you say <yes, I would recommend Lowes for your job.>>

 

Considering how many Lowe's stores exist and how many random contractors they might hire in a particular locality,  I would say the homeowner might want  to know a lot more about that particular local store, that store's particular management, and the identity, work record and quality of the particular contractors that store might have available to do the job.

 

Just my opinion.  Recommending someone or some company for a particular job should involve some  known references as to quality of the work and service  that they perform in that particular town, no?


@novamc1  For a large/expansive job, yes. However, I already stated I wouldn't use them for a large job and why. For the job the OP is asking about, no, I wouldn't bother finding all that out and for the same reasons I didn't when I needed a front door and storm door installed; it's not a major job. Pain in the butt job, yes but not a major job.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,588
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Anyone used Lowe’s for a home project?

I think the window will need replacing. I can see wood damage where the AC was leaking.

 

Some time ago I had some siding replaced (stripped by a hurricane) and that company did an excellent job. And although I agreed to pay 1/3 after the first visit, they did not require payment until the job was done.  I even reminded them of the original agreement. The job took 3 days.  And they later refunded me money back for an inadvertent overcharge. A real standup company.

 

Well, I checked their website, and they also do window replacements, so I’m going to see about that first. Step 1 in the right direction.

 

I have done some reading about mini split cooling systems and know they work completely different from window ACs. What interested me was the minimal inside installation. Only a small hole is needed on the interior wall for the wires to go through to the outside compressor (not sure this the proper term).  Not too invasive or too costly.  It seems harder, in my area, to find HVAC companies who install and service window units, so I was thinking the mini split system might be easier for maintenance and repairs.  

Honored Contributor
Posts: 68,152
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Anyone used Lowe’s for a home project?

@ Montana I haven't read the whole thread, so sorry if I'm being redundant, but it truly is the luck of the draw. Local stores subcontract with local vendors and who you get and the quality of their work depends... I've known folks to use Home Depot and Lowes and be completely satisfied, but I've also heard some real horror stories involving both... Of course, the same could probably be said of independent contractors obtained on your own and not via a third party. 


In my pantry with my cupcakes...
Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,359
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Anyone used Lowe’s for a home project?


@ Montana wrote:

I think the window will need replacing. I can see wood damage where the AC was leaking.

 

Some time ago I had some siding replaced (stripped by a hurricane) and that company did an excellent job. And although I agreed to pay 1/3 after the first visit, they did not require payment until the job was done.  I even reminded them of the original agreement. The job took 3 days.  And they later refunded me money back for an inadvertent overcharge. A real standup company.

 

Well, I checked their website, and they also do window replacements, so I’m going to see about that first. Step 1 in the right direction.

 

I have done some reading about mini split cooling systems and know they work completely different from window ACs. What interested me was the minimal inside installation. Only a small hole is needed on the interior wall for the wires to go through to the outside compressor (not sure this the proper term).  Not too invasive or too costly.  It seems harder, in my area, to find HVAC companies who install and service window units, so I was thinking the mini split system might be easier for maintenance and repairs.  


You also need a drain line so the condensation has some place to go other than all over your wall and floor.

 

My husband was a commercial HVAC contractor for 42 years and just last year replaced our old ductless Mitsubishi with a new one.  

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,588
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Anyone used Lowe’s for a home project?


@CelticCrafter wrote:

@ Montana wrote:

... Only a small hole is needed on the interior wall for the wires to go through to the outside compressor...


 

You also need a drain line so the condensation has some place to go other than all over your wall and floor ...


 

@CelticCrafter, So there are 2 interior holes needed? One for the electrical wires and another one for the drain line? 

How big is the drain line hole? And does your drain line work by gravity or a pump?

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,359
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Anyone used Lowe’s for a home project?

@ Montana - ours is all through the one hole, maybe 2-3 inches across and the unit covers the hole.

It works by gravity.

 

First time using it for the season after a few hours of running, we do go outside to make sure the water is coming out the pipe.

 

My husband just told me, Home Depot will sell you the unit, but they will not let you walk out of the store with it.  They will only release it to a contractor. (NY/NJ area)

Super Contributor
Posts: 264
Registered: ‎04-20-2013

Re: Anyone used Lowe’s for a home project?

Back in NJ, we had HD install storm doors, and the contractor did an okay job, but the doors didn't hold up. We also had Lowe's install a privacy fence in our back yard and that was fraught with problems from the beginning. We went to a Lowe's about half an hour away, and the contractor they sent wasn't liscensed in our town, so he had to apply for a license.  Then when they delivered the materials, the driver wanted to leave them on the sidewalk, hanging over into the street. He said we'd agreed to sidewalk delivery, which was a lie. I told him I hadn't (we'd specifically told them that we wanted them placed at the back of the driveway, and they said it wasn't a problem), and demanded he show me where I'd agreed to that on the paperwork. He couldn't, but still insisted that all he had to do was leave them on the sidewalk. I raised a fuss and told him to put them at the back of the driveway alongside the house where they wouldn't end up getting me a ticket for blocking the street or end up getting stolen (there was enough room for us to park one of our cars behind the materials to hide them). He said it wasn't possible, I told him it certainly was, and if he wasn't going to do it, he could call his boss on his cell and let me talk to him. I think he thought he was dealing with a crazy woman (and at that point he was). so he drove his little forklift off the truck and got it ilined up with the driveway. Then he insisted it wouldn't fit between our fence and the planter a former neighbor had bulit right up to our property line. I eyeballed the wheelbase and the driveway, saw it would fit with inches to spare, and told him that I'd guide him in. I got him in without a problem, then guided him back out. One of my neighbors, a Jersey City cop, was across the street watching. After the driver left, he came over and said he'd been standing by in case I'd had any problems, whereupon he would have stepped in, but I'd handled it just fine -- and I'd been a lot of fun to watch!

 

When the contractor came, the job started fine, and they did a good job. They they realized they had to cut one panel to get all the way to one side of the yard, and the lead guy asked me if I wanted them to fit a short panel or just go with it the way it was -- leaving a two-foot gap between our fence and the neighbors' fences. I told him to cut it, because I wanted my entire yard inside the fence, not just part of it. He wasn't happy about the extra bit of work, but he did it.

 

When we moved here, we decided to remove the contractor-grade carpet from the two spare bedrooms (which would become my office and the room for our birds) and replace it with ceramic tile. Lowe's had tile I liked at a good price, and the installation was reasonable. The only problem was scheduling -- the tiles went in just before my in-laws were scheduled to come up from Ft Myers to help us paint. The grout and mastic were just set up when we needed to get in to both rooms. But the installers were friendly. professional, did a great job and cleaned up after themselves. 

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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,188
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

Re: Anyone used Lowe’s for a home project?

I would never use Home Depot (worst reviews) or Home Depot. I'd prefer a small company who specializes in the type of job u need. Check out Yelp and Nextdoor dot com. Google the names of the companies/individuals to see if there are complaints. Then interview a few of them in person - and have them give u references u could check out. I would prefer meeting with the owners of the companies. I don't like working with sub-contractors - and the big box stores act like they're not involved if there are problems.