Home Depot or Lowes for Bathroom countertops and sinks installation? (West: buy, contractors)

[daphne326]

Hi, all, we need your help choosing between Home Depot and Lowes. I don't think I can tell any difference between the two and brands carried by them (nor could my husband I guess). We normally choose to go to one place instead of the other based on convenience only (e.g., if we go to Costco shopping that day, we will go to Lowes; but if we are on the way back home from somewhere, we will go to Home Depot). Sometimes, my husband has to visit both places to find the gadget he needs, but we never find one place that always has the things we need (or have the things with better quality). We never formed an opinion as to which one is better (and we are ok with it). But now, we are thinking about updating our bathroom sinks and countertops, and really need to make a decision as to which one to go.

We need solely to update the sinks and the countertops because the previous owner had done a beautiful job upgrading the bathroom showers, floor and etc. (why they left the pink sinks and white corian countertops in place is beyond me). We visited Home Depot this past Saturday - the lady there told me that if we buy the sinks and countertops from them, the installation is included (i.e., no extra fee). We will check out with Lowes this weekend to see if they have the same deal.

Have you guys ever used Home Depot or Lowes to install bathroom countertops and/or sinks? How is the workmanship? Would you recommend it? We are also thinking about hiring a local contractor to do the job, but since the job is relatively easy, maybe a big boy like Home Depot or Lowes may do the job relatively cheaper? We welcome any of your thoughts and opinions and recommendations. Thank you!!!

Daphne

[golferadam]

To be honest, I hear that HD and Lowes end up with some of the lower quality workers because the folks that do good work can support themselves and have lucrative business through word of mouth. I don't have specific experience with HD or Lowes but I do have some friends that used a contractor through them. The rates for installation weren't terrible, but they overestimated the amount of materials needed and the friends ended up with significant leftover, worthless scrap that they paid for.

In addition to your research on Lowes and HD, you might check Floor & Decor. They usually have a bulletin board with plenty of business cards. They also have contractors building sample displays for the store and you can see their work prior to hiring them. Good luck.

[daphne326]

Thank you. This is very helpful.

Originally Posted by golferadam

To be honest, I hear that HD and Lowes end up with some of the lower quality workers because the folks that do good work can support themselves and have lucrative business through word of mouth. I don't have specific experience with HD or Lowes but I do have some friends that used a contractor through them. The rates for installation weren't terrible, but they overestimated the amount of materials needed and the friends ended up with significant leftover, worthless scrap that they paid for.

In addition to your research on Lowes and HD, you might check Floor & Decor. They usually have a bulletin board with plenty of business cards. They also have contractors building sample displays for the store and you can see their work prior to hiring them. Good luck.

[Lbjen]

Both companies contract out any work they sell in store. You can never be sure who will show up to do the job. I've had two jobs done through Lowes and was happy enough both times, but I did save quite a lot when I used a contractor directly instead of using theirs to do a different job.

[daphne326]

Thank you. Do you think you saved a lot because the local contractor can get the materials (the granite and sinks) at a lower price?

Originally Posted by Lbjen

Both companies contract out any work they sell in store. You can never be sure who will show up to do the job. I've had two jobs done through Lowes and was happy enough both times, but I did save quite a lot when I used a contractor directly instead of using theirs to do a different job.

[texsn95]

Yes, stay away from the big-box stores for installation for the most part like mentioned above. Not sure where you're located, but we're using Texas Custom Granite to finish out our bathroom countertops on the west side of town. They're super nice and have heard good things about their work through co-workers which is how I found out about them. Might be worth a look.
Texas Custom Granite

[daphne326]

Thank you for the recommendation. We live in the West Memorial area - will definitely check them out.

Originally Posted by texsn95

Yes, stay away from the big-box stores for installation for the most part like mentioned above. Not sure where you're located, but we're using Texas Custom Granite to finish out our bathroom countertops on the west side of town. They're super nice and have heard good things about their work through co-workers which is how I found out about them. Might be worth a look.
Texas Custom Granite

[deckhanddavy]

Originally Posted by daphne326

Hi, all, we need your help choosing between Home Depot and Lowes. I don't think I can tell any difference between the two and brands carried by them (nor could my husband I guess). We normally choose to go to one place instead of the other based on convenience only (e.g., if we go to Costco shopping that day, we will go to Lowes; but if we are on the way back home from somewhere, we will go to Home Depot). Sometimes, my husband has to visit both places to find the gadget he needs, but we never find one place that always has the things we need (or have the things with better quality). We never formed an opinion as to which one is better (and we are ok with it). But now, we are thinking about updating our bathroom sinks and countertops, and really need to make a decision as to which one to go.

We need solely to update the sinks and the countertops because the previous owner had done a beautiful job upgrading the bathroom showers, floor and etc. (why they left the pink sinks and white corian countertops in place is beyond me). We visited Home Depot this past Saturday - the lady there told me that if we buy the sinks and countertops from them, the installation is included (i.e., no extra fee). We will check out with Lowes this weekend to see if they have the same deal.

Have you guys ever used Home Depot or Lowes to install bathroom countertops and/or sinks? How is the workmanship? Would you recommend it? We are also thinking about hiring a local contractor to do the job, but since the job is relatively easy, maybe a big boy like Home Depot or Lowes may do the job relatively cheaper? We welcome any of your thoughts and opinions and recommendations. Thank you!!!

Daphne

We have used them for other installation needs and they are pretty good. They provide a warranty and are pretty competitive. I'm a vet, so I get 10% off the cost of materials at both Lowes and Home Depot, which is really nice.

[Schumacher713]

Their workmanship is fine. Their granite is extremely expensive compared to local places. I would say 2-3x.

[daphne326]

Thank you. Any local contractor you would recommend?

Originally Posted by Schumacher713

Their workmanship is fine. Their granite is extremely expensive compared to local places. I would say 2-3x.