quick question, quick answer please

i am deciding by tomorrow who will be doing my countertop.

option A, home depot.

option B, family friend with a million dollar business.

home depot will save me about $1000. going from about $5400 down to $4600 or less depending if theyll still honor my 10% off.

do i pay more for someone i know will do a phenomenal job or wont home depot do just as well? theyre all pros, no?

ETA: if you have used home depot, do you know if the original estimate (when you give them your dimensions) includes tax and delivery?

Message edited 6/5/2012 6:28:15 AM.

Re: quick question, quick answer please

We have gotten 3 countertops through home depot and have been very happy with the process.

I would go with them especially since it is much cheaper

Re: quick question, quick answer please

thanks!

im sooooooo upset that i missed the 10% off deal by one day because i had to wait for this guy to give me a price. i really thought he'd do better with it. i want ti kick myself.

Re: quick question, quick answer please

If I were you I would talk to someone at home depot and see if they will still honor the discount. The same thing happened to me at Pottery Barn because I was dragging my feet on making a decision on my couch. DH called and basically said that we want to buy, but we would have to wait to get another discount code, and they offered us 10% off.

Re: quick question, quick answer please

i called and spoke to a woman before..the same woman i spoke to on saturday, she said they couldnt do it and that the coupons all have codes and it wouldnt go through if they tried it now.

i emailed home depot. ( i know im crazy, but im so upset that i missed it!)

im thinking of maybe going there tomorrow, but who would i even ask for? plus ill feel stupid if the same woman is there. although, i AM ordering from them now anyway so i'd have to go there.

Re: quick question, quick answer please

HD repeats the same counter sales over and over. There is ALWAYS a special.. free edge upgrade, free group upgrade, free sink, 10% off, etc.. If you don't get anywhere by e-mailing (and you SHOULD), ask when they will be repeating the sale and go from there.

I would also talk to your friend and let them know that HD is offering the same install for less money.. maybe he will match their price!

Re: quick question, quick answer please

thank you!

i didnt think this offer would come back around. ill ask tomorrow.

hope i dont have to wait too long.. im ready for this kitchen to be done

Re: quick question, quick answer please

I would pay more for the comfort of knowing the job was in good hands but 1,000 is a lot more. I would pay $500 more though. Are both quotes with the same type of edging? Is it for the exact same countertop? If it is granite the prices differ based on what color.

Re: quick question, quick answer please

I agree with previous poster I'd go with the recommendation. Trust me i know a thousand dollars is a lot of money but in the grand scheme of things, I feel like quality and service are important and aren't always factored in to price

Either way, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Does hd price include tax and delivery and installation? Are you getting one giant piece of granite or a few pieces? Is edging included? Is the thickness the same? If these things wind up being the same amount, then I'd definitely go with the family friend. I just feel like if it's a family friend , they'd do their best to make sure you're happy with the end product. Maybe they can come down on their price?

Hell maybe call a different independent granite company and ask what the diff is between their product and home depot? If the differences don't matter then by all means save the money ! Let us know how it goes!

Message edited 6/4/2012 11:52:59 PM.

Re: quick question, quick answer please

thanks for these suggestions. i should find out about tax and delivery.

the two prices are for the same exact color and edge at both places. thats why i wasnt sure why it was such a different price.

i will find out what the price inclded at HD.

thanks again all

Re: quick question, quick answer please

I don't think Home Depot allows you to pick your slab but your friend's company probably would. Go with them.

Re: quick question, quick answer please

another good point.

Re: quick question, quick answer please

I would go with the contractor.

I know I am bias because I'm married to one, but I know many, many stories of people who went with the less costly option and then regretted it, often coming to DH to clean up the mess.

It would be different too IMO if it was another contractor--------doing business with a big box store like that often makes me wary about what I would be getting (or not getting).

Re: quick question, quick answer please

How close is this family friend? If they don't do the job perfectly and you have to go back and forth a lot, will it put a strain on the friendship? Is this someone you see all the time at functions?

That's the only problem I have with a family friend doing work. If it isn't exactly what you like, you risk ruining a friendship.

With Home Depot - it's just business.

Re: quick question, quick answer please

in regards to home depot.. i think what also makes me cautious is that you dont know who you are getting. although my parents had them do their counters and they look great. i know mine covers a bigger area and will have seams and table legs attached and thats when i want someone who will do a great job with that.

the family friend is not someone ill see often. they are a big italian family and they all know each other form childhood, but he's not in my direct family circle. i know he will od a great job and if theres a problem he will be sure it is fixed. his reputation is most important to him and his business. he's a really nice guy to deal with.

Re: quick question, quick answer please

Is there any way you can talk to the family friend and tell them what HD price is? Maybe he will come down a little bit?