Kitchen and Bath remodel

[Slingah]

hire a local guy...look in local paper...check references and look at some of his work

[vineyardblues]

All I can say if you tile your bathroom go up 5 ft not 4 ... you will love it .

VB

[The Dad Fisherman]

I know a lot of guys say hire a local guy....but lots of times they're no bargain either. They don't return your calls, they show up late, if at all, they don't finish when they say they're going to, and they are usually more expensive. Don't get me wrong there are some good local contractors out there but if they are good you usually can't get them for at least a year....thats my experience any way


I think if you don't have a good friend that does it, its a crap shoot.

I have used Home Depot for 2 things...They did my carpets and they were Excellent, They did my Windows and they were a pain in the ass. I think it all depends on who they contract out to do the work for them.

[Johnny C]

Maybe this is not the right Thread, but collectivly we seem like a group concerned with supporting the small business. Discussion has always been focused on the B&T, but it seems as though a collective conciousness that seeks out small business and when possible avoids the trappings of the Walmart/depot experience would thrive here. How many guys here are plummers, roofers, or any other laborers? IT guys? Retail shop owners? Any sort of freelance job is, in my view, seriously in trouble becouse of the trend to bring big business into every aspect of everyday life.
Zoots and Kabloom are slowly taking the livlyhood of small business.
Has anyone used Geek Squad? Think about the potential for disaster there. Freelance IT guys could be forced to join up or shut down.
Maybe we could have a forum or some sort of database situation where we could showcase our collective skills so that we look internaly first.
Like an occupational classified.
Down with the DEPOT!

[Striperhound]

I for one would love to see a directory of everyone here and what they do for a living. That way we could support our friends and family with some additional business.

[Duke41]

A list is a great idea. Slipknot does kitchens and baths, I am planning on having him take a look before I make a decsion.

[MakoMike]

Home Depot and Lowes both use local contractors to do the work. They just supply the materials.

[Slipknot]

Originally Posted by Johnny C

Maybe we could have a forum or some sort of database situation where we could showcase our collective skills so that we look internaly first.
Like an occupational classified.
Down with the DEPOT!

Good point Johnny, I believe that is one of JohnR's many projects for the site that has yet to get off the ground. Perhaps if we start a thread, then everyone could reply if they want in on it.


Duke41, thanks for the chance

[BobT]

Slip..............wish you lived closer to me !!!!!! Wify is talking about a new kitchen. If so, I plan on getting a GC.

[NIB]

The depot types contract thier work out to basically the lowest bidder.they in turn hire lesser(if possible)skilled craftsman to do the work.its a numbers game they will give u a sub par job that takes many returns to get it right but they do enough to support this.Take ur time and hire a local guy work offa word of mouth references see several guys till u are happy with one then check some of his work.just callin refrences doesn't always do it.I hear lots of horror stories being a tileman.I ask well what did u do to prevent this.Answer is usually nothing.U gotta do some legwork to get a job done well.their are some real craftsman out there.Go to a plumbing supply an ask if they have any good plumbers that specialize in ur type of job. lots of times they work together with a good renovation type guy.When u find a good guy pay the price....Piece of mind may be worth 2 times what the de-pots charge..