Do Lowe’s and
Home Depot charge more than most local contractors for installation
services? I have found that the teaser price is just that, and the
actual cost is usually higher.
Let's look at
a simple example. Suppose you want to replace your front door with
a new one. The basic installation price from either of these two box
stores is around $380. This is to remove the old door and install the
new one. However, you need to consider the extra charges for
incidental work. If you need someone to double check the size of
the door or the handing of the door, expect to pay another $25.00 to
35.00. To have someone come to your home and measure and check the
handing is done at for additional fee.
Okay, so you
ordered the door from Lowe’s or Home Depot and paid the extra fee for
someone to come and measure the door. The employee arrives, replaces
the door, re-uses the old trim and casing. Wait, did you want to replace
the old water stained casing, too? That’s not included in the price
either. Expect another $95 to $100 for new casing.
With a new
door and replaced casing, you’re set. You thank the Lowe’s contractor
and you’re so happy that forgot about the extra charges and you offer to
help him load the old door into his truck. He gives you a puzzled look -
he's not going to remove the old door for free...disposal of the old
door is an extra $30.00-$40.00. You realize you can’t load it into your
Prius and haul it to the recycling center, so you are now stuck for the
disposal charges. Let's see...no initial measure, advice, insulation,
caulking, door casing, touch-up painting, disposal or any other
incidental task related to the bargain door install you signed for. So
your basic install was just that…the installation.
A reputable
contractor would never charge extra for looking at the job and offering
advice to a client. Casings would be an extra as they are not always
needed - but disposal is always included, and never added on after the
job. You can expect to pay no more than $350 for a door install,
including measuring, caulking, insulating, and yes, disposal too.
The Home
Depot or Lowe’s makes money on the product and the installer, so
common sense dictates the higher price. You haven’t escaped one of the
universal laws of value this time either…you get what you pay for - period. |