Looking at getting rid of my sliding glass doors and installing pre-hung French Doors. Having never attacked a door project, is this worth the battle or should I have HD/Lowes do it. And to that note has anyone had HD/Lowes do installs? I realize they farm their work out.
House is two years old/stucco. Reason I’m looking at French Doors is I’m working on my RR deck now and it would finish things off nicely. Plus (probably the main reason) Wife wants it!
My background with home repairs/re-modeling and fabricating: Most of my neighbors look to me for answers.
I’ve gotten good intell from “Breaktime” in the past when I tackled my fireplace w/cultured stone. Going to the “Well” one more time!
Replies
FHB June/July 1991 starting at p. 42.
Just as I suspected. This is the reason for this forum...good intell!
Thanks mucho. I'll look into the contractor doing it. Saves me the gray hair, loss of hair and ultimately the wife's stare. Ahhh...Poetry!
Installing fench doors, especially with stucco siding is not a great project project for beginners. Considering the value of the door and the possibility that poor installation could lead to leaks and troublesome operation of the doors, you might be better off having a pro do the job. Forget Lowes or HD, find a highly-recommended local contractor.
Al Mollitor, Sharon MA
I'm with MojoMan.
Hire a local contractor that has done similar work, and provides referances.
I have done repair and reinstalls behind some HD installers.
Good for me, bad for the customer.
Dave
Ahhh grasshoppa... one only need look for the exception to find true meaning.
I have picked up an install or 50 (maybe 100) from Lowes. They pay well for certain jobs... not squat for others. The only catch is having to wear that ugly shirt... but that is a whole other story. Electronic pay in three days; always have my stuff ready when I go to pick it up... INCLUDING any additional hardware needed; only expectation is to have it done right; aren't real tough to deal with on any change orders required (including having an installation supervisor at your disposal to approve changes lickity split); if you are running behind, they deliver materials to the site with no charge-backs (unless it becomes a habit); when materials need to be delivered due to size or volume... almost always there in advance of my arrival time;
I can accept or deny any install they offer up. If I am going to have a break between bigger jobs... it makes for nice fill work to keep the guys busy. Quite a few "quality contractors" do the same thing in our area... just won't admit to it.
HD... different story. Don't pay crap and you have to commit to x number of installs. They can't figure out why they can't retain installers.... figure that! they showed me the contract and it took all of about 2 minutes to say "no thank you".
BK,
That said... the install is only as good as the contractor you happen to get by the luck of the draw. They do have a good install warranty that we have to agree to... but if it takes 6 trips to install a set of french doors... you may as well do it yourself.
I only know of two hacks (in my area) that made it past the screening process at Lowes... but it does happen. They lasted until a pattern of repeat visits became apparent.
Some people's luck always ends up the "luck of the draw' always finding them holding the low card when it comes to finding the one bad one in a whole field of quality. If that describes your luck... then go find an installer that will do that small of a job (hard to find a good quality contractor that will do a "one-off" install... but it can be found with some diligence).
Otherwise, ask to speak with the install coordinator at your local Lowes. Ask about their repeats and explain your concerns. You'll be surprised at their candidness.
Edit for addition after checking the accounting program... We have done 64 installs for Lowes ... no call backs. Each one paid within 3 days... with the exception of one... it took 6 days.
Edited 3/4/2005 10:50 pm ET by Rich from Columbus
Edited 3/4/2005 10:50 pm ET by Rich from Columbus
Edited 3/4/2005 10:56 pm ET by Rich from Columbus
Espescially with stucco,it's a tricky finish to work with,If you get a good carpenter,expect to pay for stucco touch up...
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