dean

Are you talking about having the big box store doing the labor as well?
We've found that they tend to mark up their labor costs substantially. I don't know how they are with kitchen remodeling, but we got estimates for roofing from HD and Lowe's and found that their labor charges were in the neighborhood of $4,000 higher than the local independent roofers.

ytdlite

as a contractor and having done many remodels, i stay away from their lumber and plumbing fixtures. you waste to much time picking through bad lumber. several toilets turned out to be 2nds and would not seat properly. faucets had missing parts. all of this leads to wasted time and money.
i have had success with buying silestone counter tops from a hd design center.
local and or online plumbing warehouses usually meet or beat their prices with better service.
dean is correct on their mark-up. they know how to hammer the customer. the diys guy is their easiest mark.

dlq04

While I'm no contractor my limited experiences with HD and Lowe's has been similar. Just buying something as simple as a door striker always seems to end in frustration - they don't fit into the cutout like they should and the screws don't sit into the plate like you'd expect for a smooth surface. Thus my concerns.

Silestone is what we are interested in. ytdlite, if understand you correctly, in spite of the other issues you have had a good experience with HD on this product. That's really good to hear.

Neither of the quotes I got break out labor. Aug '04 Consumers Report listed prices of $50 to $85 sq ft installed. That was almost two years ago; I don't know if prices went up or down since then.

HD has a 10% sale on labor until 4/26/06 so the normal $91 (for our color/edge/etc.) is now $83; that's sure beats the $123 from the lumber yard.

I have a little over a week to decide if HD is the way to go.

sugarbear

Hope I can avoid several of thoses when I get home and start where I left off, wish I had "just after Hurricane Ivan pictures", for now you'll will just have to picture 45 in. tall counter and vanity tops with mirror's behind the counter and cook top.

ytdlite

correct. their sub contractor/fabricator did a great job and was on time. only way to compare price is to locate a counter top fabricator directly. the key to a great finish is when whoever comes out to measure and make the fabrication template is also who will return to do the installation. both times i was present to over see their work. also cabinetry must be plumb and level.
we love the silestone, good luck with what ever you choose.

Lainey

A little bump.

To Dean and the rest of the do it yourselfers, any more pics to show us what you've been up to?

dean

Besides smashing my toes, you mean?
You're not going to believe this, or maybe you will. The big toe on my right foot has finally healed from dropping the sheet of plywood on it just in time for me to drop my hydraulic jack on my left big toe (I was using it to lift and hold the wall cabinets in place while attaching them). Some days I think it would probably be best if I were under constant adult supervision.

Lainey

Stories like yours make me glad we hired someone. It sounds too painful not to; then of course hiring someone is also painful..........in the checkbook.

Can I get you some ice?

dean

I swear when this toe heals, I am going to kick Bob Vila's arse SO hard...

I'll take some pics this evening. And I'll try not to drop the camera.

Chazmo

OUCH, Dean!!!