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Remodeling our bathroom. Should we look into a big contractor or go with one from homedepot??

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  1. They will all give free estimates, and both will do professional work. Get the estimates and how long it will take them, then choose.
  2. I USED HOME DEPOT ONCE. THEY WERE OK, BUT I'D CHECK SEVERAL CONTRACTORS AND GET PRICES. DON'T GO WITH A BIG CO., BUT A PRIVATE CONTRACTOR THAT IS LICENSED/BONDED.
  3. Contracting out with Home Depot is very expensive. Just ask around and call some contractors for bids. Remember to get start and finish date. Only make 3 payments. 1 to get the project started, 2 when job is half completed and3 when the inspector o.k.'s the job.. Have everything in writing.. I mean everything in writing. Good Luck!
  4. I'd have some reservations about using a large company like Home Deport. I'd want to know if they subcontract out the jobs. If they do, you can't be sure of the person who actually does the work on your home. I've had the most success hiring a contractor recommended by a neighbor. The contractor doesn't subcontract his work; he has employees who have worked for him for years. He knows that they are reliatble, honest, and produce high quality work.
  5. Whomever you use, make sure that you get a completion bond -- if you don't you might experience costly material and time overruns.
  6. Unfortunately Home Depot does sub-out all the jobs they do. The subs they use usually arent the best, or they would be sucessful contractors not needing to sub jobs from HD and getting less than industry pay for a job. I had to redo a kitchen they did last year as the homeowner refused to let the subs back on the jobsite after some pretty shoddy workmanship. Try the phonebook, and get at least three estimates for the same work/materials. The best way is through word of mouth, anybody you know had any remodeling done recently?
  7. Why not buy what you need from home depot and do the job yourself, invite a few close friends to help out. It could be rewarding.
  8. Home Depot subcontracts their work and trys to verify and use decent, licensed contractors. I've done more bathroom remodels than any other room in a house and it can be a modest expense for you or an extravagant one. Many upgrades can be pleasing and enjoyable, as well as moderately priced if you shop around. Always use a licensed/bonded contractor and in getting an estimate, ask for references/other jobs they have done, especially locally. Rev. Steve
  9. do not use home depot's contractors. ask around, find some one local who has a good reputation and looks like they will be around for a while. you will get what you pay for. places like home depot and Lowe's usually use contractors that are "hungry" they normally are not paid nearly what you think, the store gets most of it. I am a plumber and have done numerous bathroom and kitchen remodels. My advice is not to ask for an estimate, just tell them what you want done, they will give you a price before they start working if they have any business ethic. It also helps if you pay cash. Get the parts your self but ask your contractor what he suggests, he knows what is good quality, not just what looks good. Also don't give them any money untill the job is done, if it is a strong business the can cover the operating costs until the job is complete, it also gives them incentive to get the job done.
  10. I would stay away from Home Depot for this one. They subcontract all of their work. They are good at small jobs like installing storm doors or laying linoleum in one room, but you need a contractor who will oversee all there is to do in a bathroom remodel. Bathrooms and kitchens are usually the most expensive and involved home remodeling projects. When it comes to bathrooms, a contractor who "does it all" and tells you he uses his own employees for the whole job is suspect. Usually a contractors employees will do the tearout and reframing and then call in the specialist subcontractors such as plumbers and electricians for the roughin of the job. His own employees will then probably insulate, drywall, hang the bathroom and linen closet doors, and set the vanity base and top. He will then call back the specialists to finsih the plumbing and electric as well as the ceramic tile and/or flooring. His own employees will then finish any trim elements and perform cleanup. He may or may not have his own employees paint the room, but will almost always call in a paperhanger to install any wallpaper. As you can see, bathroom remodeling requires several skilled trades and constant attention in order to see that the job is completed in a timely manner. This is what a contractor does and it is where Home Depot and Lowe's fall short. Get the agreement with your contractor in writing with everything specified in as much detail as possible. Don't give a contractor more than a 10% downpayment and make your final payment upon completion a substantial amount ... 40% is about right. Once you pay the contractor, you lose any leverage you have if you need to have even minor details finished, so don't pay him until the job is done to your satisfaction. Get his warranty in writing. Make him furnish a certificate if insurance to prove that he has general liability, completed contract, and worker's compensation insurance. If your contractor offers "allowances" for things like light fixtures and ceramic tile, make sure the allowances are adequate to cover the quality of items you desire. His idea of the vanity light fixture may be a $25.00 cheap fixture from WalMart while yours may be a $250.00 brass fixture that you have seen in a magazine. You get the picture. Pinning a contractor to a completion date can be next to impossible. Usually, they will agree to a span of time which gives them some margin for delays and unforseen circumstances. It may be sometheing like, "Completion of all work, as specified, shall be accomplished within 15 working days after work commences". They will usually add a disclaimer absolving themselves in case of circumstances beyond their control such as a last minute delay when it is found that the special order ceramic tile you specified will take an extra two weeks to get because the manufacturer is out of stock. Do your homework, know what you want, be realistic with your budget, and choose your contractor carefully. Your bathroom remodel should come off with few problems. Good luck with your project.
  11. Depends on how much money you want to spend. A big contractor will cost you more and Home Depo has qualified employees that have been trained for less money.
  12. Horror stories regarding H.D. I'd ask your neighbors and friends in the area you are living. I get the best referrals that way. Plus, you give a local guy the biz. I just asked around for retrofitting windows and out of 10 people, I got 3 different names of where NOT to go. Our area also has a "Good Services" book that is published once a year, with businesses ONLY who are recommended by customers. Maybe you have something like that in your area; check around.