Anyone have anything good to say about contracting for lowes - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

romeroinstall · 02-12-2009, 12:22 PM

Please provide info on installing for lowes. what do they pay for carpet, vinyl, laminate ect.

DavidC · 02-12-2009, 02:25 PM

You probably missed the part about putting your first post in the intro section to say hello.

The answer to your question is best found at your local Lowe's store. They will tell you what they are paying for all installations you are interested in. If you feel it's enough you wade thru the paperwork.

We did it for awhile and here's my take.

Pros include - no sales on your part, you just measure and report back to the store. They do the estimate and go for the sale.

We had enough volume with them to count on a check in the mail every week. I understand they do direct deposits now.

You can add to your customer base by selling tasks that they do not handle. Technically that is not allowed, but my understanding was they would take the window sale if the hole was magically altered. They don't do structural changes.

Cons include - Your install fees are based on a menu and largely out of your control with little exception.

They seem to attract a very special sort of customer that has a big box mentality. It's common knowledge (apparently) that if they squeal loud enough they can expect to be compensated. You'll be amazed at how much of that is your responsibility and how little it needs to be based on fact.

Normally the pay is prompt, at least in my experience, but if a payment is delayed for any reason it can be like it fell into a black hole. We received a check more than a year after we quit. The explaination was the new install manager found our invoice in the back of a drawer.

It's a mire of corporate politics. This can affect your workload and pay schedule despite the claims that everything is systemized and computor regulated.

Bottm line, if your truly just an installer it may be alright for you. If your really a contractor running a business you need a different take on it.

Now get yea to the intro section, say hi and tell us about yourself.

Good Luck
Dave

mnjconstruction · 02-12-2009, 03:36 PM

I have a friend who is I believe around 50 years old. He's a great carpenter and has tought me alot when I was first starting out. He was in buisness for about 25 years or so, He was sick of all the bs. He just wanted to do the work, he loves it. He was tired of all the paperwork, estimates etc etc. He had been an installer for lowes for about a year now and loves it. He said he doesn't make the same kind of money he use to but its alot less stress and less hours. But I saw him the other day in a new pickup, so the money can't be too bad!

romeroinstall · 02-12-2009, 04:28 PM

Thanks to both of you for your quick replies. I interviewed with them and now and going thru the background checks. I was told they do direct deposits now and usually pay 48 hours once the job is completed. I am just an installer have been installing in CA since 98 recently moved to WA state and got my lic here. The reason i would be interested in Lowes is steady work. I do here there is quite a bit of paperwork but will have my wife help with the scheduling and paperload.

I did not get a price list as of yet i will ask once the background check is complete.

Any other info would be great.

Thanks

hawaii · 02-13-2009, 05:04 AM

Hi.
I specilize in unfinished floors and wood stairs , I don;t like big corporation and don't know it is worth but seems like all of y ou guys have had a good expierence.I like to be responsible for all parts of the job and deal with the clieant directly or contractor so I should see if this is for me.
Any advises would be greatly appriciated.

DavidC · 02-13-2009, 05:56 AM

If you like to be resposnsible for all parts of the job and deal directly with the client than I doubt it's for you.

Good Luck
Dave

rusty baker · 02-13-2009, 08:42 AM

Just remember, extras that aren't on the ticket are almost impossible to collect. All of the Big Boxes have very poor records on resolving customer complaints. No matter what the actual problem is, it will be your fault.

hawaii · 02-13-2009, 03:47 PM

Rusty . well I don't like to be responsible for the faults that are not mine. Thanks for the feedback.
Have a greatfull day.

TRC · 02-20-2009, 12:17 PM

I have been installing with lowe's for 4 years. Windows and doors for me. If you are new and don't know the system it can be very difficult. They really don't explain how to work for them in the beginning, you have to figure it out for yourself. The paperwork is daunting and everything is done by fax. However, if you are prepared for the work it can be rewarding.

detroitMi · 02-20-2009, 01:55 PM

I do subcontract from Lowes, whenever they are in need of a subcontractor (usually custom work,never hire me for something they can do),they always pay me in time .Can't complain

TRC · 02-21-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by detroitMi

I do subcontract from Lowes, whenever they are in need of a subcontractor (usually custom work,never hire me for something they can do),they always pay me in time .Can't complain

What do you mean by that? Are you in rotation or they only call you when one of their regular installers can't do the work?

Floordude · 02-21-2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRC

What do you mean by that? Are you in rotation or they only call you when one of their regular installers can't do the work?

He is their go to guy, when the regular low paid contractor, the workroom Lowe's subcontract to, is in way over his head.

detroitMi · 02-21-2009, 08:17 PM

I am the old school tile guy,Lowes do not work with Mud at all,they use Backer boards and Durock only,whenever a customers requests Mud done to their house ( instead of Durock ) they hire a subcontractor.They don't do custom ( such as showers ,walls,bathrooms) all they do is floors and backsplashes.(chek out my profile)

romeroinstall · 02-27-2009, 05:07 PM

TRC - How does the rotation scheduling work. Do you get faxed orders thru out the day or once at a certain time of day?

DavidC · 02-27-2009, 07:50 PM

The rotation is the order of assignment to the installers. In theory they fax you a detail (an order to measure a potential job) and then you go to the back of the line, next order goes to the next installer and so on.

It's designed to be unbiased in job assignment. A manager can overide the rotation if a customer requests a certain installer. A clever associate can suggest that the customer request a certain installer. Otherwise it's all computer controlled and orderly.

Good Luck
Dave

romeroinstall · 02-28-2009, 04:19 PM

David C since you seem how the lowes rotation works i have a few questions for you. I am just starting with them and have my first installer meeting the 12th. Today i got a fax with info on measuring a carpet job. How quickly do we have to reply to customer to set up a date and time? Do I refer to myself as a lowes contractor or use my co name? Does the customer report back to the customer with measurments or do I?

I am sorry seems like i am out of the loop but they did not give me much info.

Thanks

DavidC · 02-28-2009, 06:23 PM

I have been away from doing installs for a number of years so any info may be outdated. These are good questions to bring up at the installer meeting.

Last I knew you have 48 hours to contact the customer and set an appointment or risk losing the detail. Once you complete the detail the job is yours once it's sold.

They were very adamant that the measurements belong to the store, not the customer. Do not give them to the customer. You should have received an estimate form to fill out and fax back to the store. (keep copies of everything for yourself) The associate that sold the detail will handle the actual quote and make the sale. You will be notified by fax when the sale is paid for and will have 48 hours to contact the customer for scheduling.

Good Luck
Dave