Home Depot At-Home Services (Roofing)

p_j posted for all of us....

Ohhhhh, so maybe they wanted to do right... Ohhhh low buck artist.

Reply to
Tekkie
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How do you figure?

How do you figure?

Reply to
p_j

That does not mean you got the best job. It only means you spent less. As for the vents, maybe they should have been installed differently in the first place. Did you get a reason why they should be re-located?

For run of the mill stuff, they are cheap. For good quality custom installations, they are pretty much a crap shoot. Glad you are happy.

I've read too many nightmare stories of dealing with HD when problems came up. I'd rather work with a reputable "Joe's HVAC." There are crooks in every business, but there are also some top notch people out there. Ed

Reply to
Edwin Pawlowski

No doubt, although I believe it was an excellent job. The outfit that did it had the highest quality rating available by the manufacturer.

The house is nearly a hundred years old. The problem that was stated by the higher bidder, was that the vents weren't underneath the windows and that would result in large temperature differences. There really isn't a significant problem like that. What he proposed to do was to cut holes in the hardwood floors and put floor vents in. They would have to sit about ten to twelve inches in from the wall as well because of the foundation. Holes in the oak and maple floors, plaster walls that need patching and painting and some serious work in the basement... for?

The same guy BSed about the cost difference between chimney and direct vented water heaters. His company also has been advertising in a premium spot on a top rated radio station for umpteen years.

You know, the fabricator was a big outfit in Chicago (I enjoyed the visit) who no doubt serves many wholesale customers.

The installers did a nice job although I think its crazy to have two guys lifting huge pieces of granite like they did (and working with some unfriendly chemicals with bare hands). When I asked the boss about working for HD, he said it was great because there was a steady stream of work and the check arrived every month like clockwork unlike many builders and GCs who string things out.

No problems here. My entire reference is the two experiences, both very positive.

Yes, although buying HVAC as well as many trades is often difficult. The outfit that did the HVAC is almost exclusively large commercial and has been great. The "salesperson" had a degree in mechanical engineering and was part owner of the company. At least according to him, part of the reason that they could price things well was because they do a very large volume of business and receive volume discounts from the manufacturer.

Reply to
p_j

p_j posted for all of us....

They want to do the calcs; not slap the same thing in.

Did you not go with the cheaper price diametrically opposed to the best offering?

Reply to
Tekkie

You're reaching. He was quite willing to do the work without any 'calc' and at no time mentioned any need for calculations of any sort. According to him, the vents weren't unbalanced, they weren't optimally placed. We weren't building or remodeling and the "problem" he claimed isn't there. Are you a fast buck artist who sells stuff people don't need?

No, not at all. We got identical equipment. If anything we received an AC unit with a higher SEER rating, but I would have to dig through the paperwork to verify that.

Reply to
p_j

I'm glad your Home Depot install went well. It should last a good 8 years.

Home Depot installs are done by those willing to take the lowest profit. In turn they pay their techs the lowest wages. There is no room for higher quality materials or extras. It is what it is. Its no surprise to anyone we get what we pay for.

Reply to
GETCOOL-MARK

I doubt it.

No problems with the techs here.

They threw in extras.

Yeah, those idiotic capitalists and all that blather about economies of scale. Everyone should go with outfits like yours, right?

Hey, why'd you bother to leave in my comments and then ignore them? Hiring con-artists who sell shit that isn't needed may make the price higher, but according to you it is a value because it costs more.

What company do you work for?

Reply to
p_j

Companies make less money working for HD. HD requires them to correct ANY customer complaint regardless how frivolous. Example: Customer complained about a piece of plastic on his roof. It was just the peel off backing from the roofing. It will blow off in the first good wind. HD demanded the company send a man to remove it.

2 hours travel time later...

So most companies only sign on with HD to fill hours so they don't have to layoff staff during slow periods. This means that companies provide HD with their least experienced workers. Same with Sears.

Reply to
Jerico
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Doubt it all you like. Home Depot low balls the price and then takes its cut of the profit. As you said HD was $1,000 cheaper. Nuff said on that.

Now how do you know that? You know 100% nothing on this subject. I on the other hand happen to be in the trade.

OK thats a good thing. What extras did you get?

I agree.

How can i comment on that. I can't see your system anymore than you are qualified to evaluate the design of your homes orignal duct work. I'm not saying your wrong. Two ways i see it.

  1. He was a unprofessional hack and your bullshit meter was right on.
  2. He had training and experience. Correcting poorly ran ductwork is not uncommon by any means. Also not uncommen is con-artists. Thus no comment of any value can be given.

I never said any such thing.

The one with white vans..haha I work for my customers. Want to know how cool my customers are? My customers bought me a new truck, paid my mortgage off and even put shoes on my kids feet. I love'em and take great care to see they get the very best. I'ts a partnership I value and appreciate.

Reply to
GETCOOL-MARK

This is the third theory.

Now that's an interesting comment. Do you have customers who make a lot of frivolous complaints? When you feel they are frivolous do you just blow them off?

Where was this? What company was involved?

Two experiences that directly contradict your theory as well as the other rather sad guessers.

Gee, not my experience again. Not my experience with countertops either. That company talked about the volume of work and prompt payment made it a great experience.

What's the name of your company?

Given the quality of comments suggesting that HD not be considered, I would say that everyone should consider using them.

Reply to
p_j

I agree. Why cut profits when you can cut corners?

Reply to
Edwin Pawlowski

Relax its not a knock on you. Just my dumb opinion about HD hvac in general and does not represent all installs or installers.

Without question you could have a perfect install and i do not wish to argue the point. You are happy and thats what matters.

Here are some assumptions i make about budget jobs.

-Did your installer do a manual J load calc? NO

-Did he reuse part of the old line set? Yes

-Did he install a filter/drier on the lineset? Most likely.

-Did he install a new disconect? And new whip to unit? NO

-Did he pull the system down to 400 micron? NO

-Did he flow nitrogen threw the lineset as he brazed? NO

-Did he remove the valve stems before brazing? NO

-Did he charge the unit correctly? 66% no, 33% yes based on goverment studies,(SEER takes a big whack here). I could go on but......

Invoices should have the following info taken at startup.

CFM Subcool Superheat Suc line temp Liquid line temp Wet bulb temp Dry bulb temp Ambient Amps Volts Delta-T

Is this info listed? Post it if you got it and i will be the first to say you got a good install.

Reply to
GETCOOL-MARK

Yep that's the heart of the issue.

But I'm just as guilty. I just paid to have a guy remove an old wood shed and then treat my home for termites. I picked the low bidder by half. He was a day and a half late, did half the job and then went missing for a week. His bug truck was a 80's Chevy conversion van lacking the required contractor numbers on its side. I got what I paid for and kinda had to laugh at myself.

Reply to
GETCOOL-MARK

Doubt what you want, but unless you are a company that HomeDepot has or one of their outsourcing guys have contacted, you wont know what the profit margin of the company that came out was...

The techs, sigh...DONT work for Home Depot, they work for the company that Home Depot subs to you.

Like? You mean a nice new digital programmable thermostat? How about a new lineset? Umm...what other extras did they throw in? Extra UV-C band unit?

Nope. Not his or mine. We pick and chose our customers, just like they pick and chose us. Someone might want to use our services, but do WE want their money? Not always.

No...proper knowledge, and the time it takes to do things correctly so that you, the consumer, have the best experece possible in ownership of your new HVAC system is what costs more. Any company owner that is out to be here in

20 years, will indeed cost a bit more than the jackleg that is looking for his rent payment this week. If you knew what it took to keep a legitimate service company open for biz 365 days a year, you would understand why HD cant use the services of the same company for long if all they do is HD installs. I have talked to Home Depot in the past, as I was seriously considering stocking Trane as another line. I was not going to pay THEM for the privledge of installations for them. Besides....the installs they are getting now, are the ones that are long term investments for companies like mine...they are gonna break sooner, than later, and when they do, a legitimate company will be there to resolve the issues that were left behind that the customer didnt have a clue about.

I own one...I dont know about the guy you are responding to, but as an owner, I can tell you that HD has no real interest other than your money. As an owner, that wont work for HD, I can tell you that any legit company has one thing in mind...and thats your total and complete satisfaction..meaning, they will go farther to insure a complete and proper install. Problem is, most homeowner never know what they get. MOST when they call, cant even tell you the brand of unit they own, so how will they know if the unit was installed correctly or not? I always hate the ones where the first words out on the phone are,,, we had it installed 5 years ago by XYZ and have never done a thing to it......sigh...and when we get there..find sludge in the lines....and try to explain WHY its there, its harder to get them to understand that 5 years ago, it was not installed correctly, and its never been serviced, so, while they COULD have discovered the issue early on, they didnt, and now its time to pay again....

Reply to
CBhVAC:)

That's got to be the most idiotic response yet. I can find someone who charges more than your outfit no doubt. Nuff said.

I think what you don't like is that it is a top rated outfit.

Are you? Who do you work for? What gives you the psychic powers to know what happened?

Removal of a fan booster. Repair of some of the cold air return. I asked for those after the deal had been closed and the mechanical engineer/part owner/salesperson tossed them in. How much would you charge if i called you up and asked for those independent of an install?

Lay it out. Who are they?

What in the world makes you think that the ductwork was poorly run? Respond to my comments, not some mythical situation that drives people away from HD.

Also not

I guess that is a big chance hiring HVAC people. I wonder if having not only a large commercial HVAC that has been in the community a long time along with a large national chain is a bad idea. Or they could go with you.

Sure you did.

Yeah and you are so ashamed of it you won't name it.

Reply to
p_j

What are you talking about?

Where is some sort of reasoned response to the answers I gave you. I guess you don't like them. I have to wonder: do you make money in some venture that HD also participates in? You sure sound like it.

p.s. the counters are great too

Reply to
p_j

I still doubt it.

Yeah, thanks for that news bulletin, but uh, still no problems...

Who do you work for?

You forgot to respond to my comment and substituted your posturing instead.

Huh? You've confused threads. This isn't even remotely relevant to what I said.

You mean your summer home at the lake, etcetera?

There, now I know you are talking about some other thread.

Perhaps the cost of raising your quality was the issue? Would you admit it if it were true?

I'm trembling in fear. I'm sure Trane, a large primarily commercial HVAC contractor and HD will all be glad when all those warranties and guarantees are up and then poof, we'll be stuck with fast talking predators.

What is it?

Which you don't do to make money? Wow, you'll have to explain that one...

Reply to
p_j

What's to figure. HD is going to make $X, the sub will get $Y for doing the job. If that is not enough to make a good profit, he is going to cut corners. Yes, it happens. Not just HD.

Good for you. Home Depot can do a good job, but it is not always the case. Often better skilled craftsman are out there and can do a better job at abut the same price. Ed

Reply to
Edwin Pawlowski

Doubt all you want...HD is a third party outsource...they get theirs FIRST. Deal with it.

That you know of. Whats your subcool, or superheat? Total complete charge, with lineset? Metering device type? IF its a fixed type, the size, and is it mated to the outdoor unit, since you can use any air handler with any outdoor unit, provided that the metering device is set up for the SEER, HSPF and charge? If the lineset is over 15 feet, was it sized for the run. Oil traps present? Do you need them? Do you know?

Like I said..what extras did they throw in? Answer the question, and then be amazed...you might be suprised to know that if you are in good with a supplier, that you can get a nice normally about 120$ digital stat for free when you buy a unit.....if they threw in a UV-C band unit, you might be surprised to know that the unit that HD sells here for $120 can be had by any legitimate contractor, for about $45...and its a total, complete waste of money. The REAL units run about $275, wholesale.

Who do I work for? I work for the customer....

Umm....no. I made as valid a point as you did. You made it...you figure it out.

No...you are confusing what you said, and cant understand the answer.

I own two homes. I dont have a summer lake home...I have a home NEAR the lake...big deal..as I am sure I paid much less for it than most did in my area. I own a home in CA, only because my wife is from there...cant deal with that, I am sorry..homes are a very small part of the picture of owning a business. Its those damn $20,000+ trucks that we have to buy, and the $30,000+ of parts, and tools that have to go into them. Of course, there is ONE Trane dealer here that has over 100, $78,000 trucks, with over $50,000 in inventory, and tools on each one...you figure whos got the most mark-up in his stuff.

And you have confirmed that you are a confused person.

LOL...Tranes quality isnt an issue..in fact...its not there. You fall for that marketing scam that the toliet company sent you on eh? LOL I was going to get Trane, as a lower cost, lesser quality 2nd line. Would I admit that my quality needs improving IF it did? Of course, thats how you stay in business, by constantly improving.

Umm...no...wrongo....they are PRIMARLY a residential company that was saved from going belly up by American Standard, who owns the Trane name, and units. You want to talk commercial, then you need to look at another brand...one thats being used in Athens for the Olympics, one that was in the Twin Towers, used in most all federal government buildings....the Sydney Opera House...even the Kremlin....

If I really have to tell you since all the information is there...sigh.... Hint...its not a Trane dealer, and its HVAC, res, and commercial.

satisfaction..meaning,

LOL...no...we dont make money on every install. Sometimes, as many in my area can tell you, we give the damn things away. Yes...Virginia, there are companys like that. You fail to realize that I would do this for free if I could, and the state and feds didnt have a hand out. When was the last time that someone looked at your situation, when you were down, and you needed something, and said, dont worry..its handled? We do that alot in the winter months...and perhaps, just perhaps, one day, when your old, out of cash, and your furnace quits, you can find out that someone out here might fix it for free, regardless of the cost. Yea..we do that. I make enough to stay in business, I make enough to survive. I wont get rich...and I dont care. When I am dead and gone, all I want is for someone, somewhere here to be able to say...that was one honest fella... Deal with that as well...since I know you dont believe it, nor can understand it.

Reply to
CBhVAC:)

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