Home Depot...WTF? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

ChainsawCharlie · 10-13-2008, 04:30 AM

This was on CL here. I know HD does cabinet and carpet installs here. Are they offering paint services now? This doesn't seem right. Are HOs going to be paying inflated prices o have their homes painted so HD gets their cut? Or do painters get **** on with a subtandard wage so HD gets their cut?

And what's with the top ten? 8 hours a week in store? Running contests and promotions?

We are looking for a local, reliable and qualified painting company to
satisfy the growing painting demand in the Kauai, Hawaii residential markets for
Home Depot.

We will conduct all meetings via web or teleconference depending on
where you are located. If you feel that you are ready to take your
painting to the next level, here are a few questions/requirements that I'll need to know to get to know your company a bit better:

-How long have you been in business?
-How long have you been painting?
-Do you have at least $1M Liability Insurance, Workers Comp, and can
pass a Home Depot background check (including your staff)?
-What percentage of your business handles Residential work versus
Commercial work?
-Are you resourceful in running a Home Depot Division?

If you feel that you are qualified to join the Home Depot team, please
contact Reggie at ********* or email at **********if you have the capacity to take on some more
work.

Top Ten Painters

How do they succeed?

- Spend a minimum of 8 hours per week in-store.
- Build strong relationships with store associates.
- Run special contests or promotions.

go dart · 10-13-2008, 06:44 AM

HD won't be satisified til they control all remodeling, in general, everywhere. you can easily compete with them. don't lower prices when you come up against them, they're not afraid to charge good money. they do something right though, those background checks are for real. if you have a felony you'll never work in installed sales. I easily compete on kitchen/bath remodels as their salespeople are the weak link

Cdat · 10-13-2008, 07:09 AM

Cheapo scumbag customers will always run to the lowest price. Do you want your company name associated with them?

**joasis** · 10-13-2008, 07:24 AM

Check out Craigslist....HD is advertising there for "painting professionals".

Snow Man · 10-13-2008, 07:50 AM

nothing new................same shananigans with a different twist.

Notice that they will be needing workmans comp. lmao

Any Season · 10-13-2008, 09:33 AM

I wouldn't worry about it. I know someone who did it and said it was the worst mistake. This contractor spent almost 10K to go through all of there certification and training that is mandatory and in almost a year, they have painted a fence that HD installed. Plus your vehicle can't be lettered, you have to wear all HD ****, and worst of all you have to use Behr.

bonnie0715 · 10-13-2008, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Any Season

I wouldn't worry about it. I know someone who did it and said it was the worst mistake. This contractor spent almost 10K to go through all of there certification and training that is mandatory and in almost a year, they have painted a fence that HD installed. Plus your vehicle can't be lettered, you have to wear all HD ****, and worst of all you have to use Behr.

Any Season · 10-13-2008, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonnie0715

huh?

MazalBuild · 10-14-2008, 02:15 AM

HAHHAHA BEHR LOL LOL LOL

I agree ****ty paint for sure

chris n · 10-14-2008, 02:52 AM

worst of all you have to use Behr.

That alonne would stop any real painter from joining.

Snow Man · 10-14-2008, 06:20 AM

behr.......................

oh no

Pearce Services · 10-14-2008, 09:33 PM

I talked to a guy that paints for HD, they run it differently than the windows/carpet etc.

They send out the painter for a free in-home estimate, the painter gives a price to HD, if the job goes through, HD takes 30% off the top, plus all the materials.

The guy I spoke with adds 15% to his price to them and eats the other 15% (I do not know if he is being honest or not). There is no rigid pricing structure for this service, and the contractor is free to set any price he wants, but runs the risk of loosing it on price if he gets greedy.

This guy hires all his guys from Craigs List, and does very little (if any) training, except on the job training.

ChainsawCharlie · 10-15-2008, 02:24 AM

30 percent? That's a bit steep, no? For that price, HD should be supplying the insurance, workman's comp and a health plan, because after kicking up 30%, you aren't going to have anything left to pay for those things yourself.

AtlRemodeling · 10-15-2008, 07:38 AM

A few years ago we were primarily doing outdoor hardscapes (pavers, retaining walls, etc). Home Depot approached us at our trade show booth about being an installer for them. The way they pitched it was we would be the primary installer for X number of stores and could also be the secondary on additional stores. Anyone that came into "our" HD asking for installation would be forwarded to us. We then would price the wall or patio using any materials we wanted (they did not have to come from HD) but we had to kick them 30% up to the first $15k. 25% up to $20K. 20% up to $25K. 15% for anything larger.

Fortunately, I spoke with several contractors who had been involved with this program and they all said the same thing. RUN AWAY! The got a tremendous number of leads and closed virtually none due to the high margins required by HD.

Funny thing, since then I have developed a very good relationship with several people at my local HD pro desk and get leads from them quite frequently.

Bkessler · 10-15-2008, 10:14 AM

Holy shiiiiiiit 30% that seems ridiculous, $4500 on a 15000 dollar job.

rbsremodeling · 10-15-2008, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtlRemodeling

A few years ago we were primarily doing outdoor hardscapes (pavers, retaining walls, etc). Home Depot approached us at our trade show booth about being an installer for them. The way they pitched it was we would be the primary installer for X number of stores and could also be the secondary on additional stores. Anyone that came into "our" HD asking for installation would be forwarded to us. We then would price the wall or patio using any materials we wanted (they did not have to come from HD) but we had to kick them 30% up to the first $15k. 25% up to $20K. 20% up to $25K. 15% for anything larger.

Fortunately, I spoke with several contractors who had been involved with this program and they all said the same thing. RUN AWAY! The got a tremendous number of leads and closed virtually none due to the high margins required by HD.

Funny thing, since then I have developed a very good relationship with several people at my local HD pro desk and get leads from them quite frequently.

This where financing comes into play. I have seen home depot and empire carpet out price me by 30-50 percent but because they financed the job. The homeowners took the 99 dollar a month 0 interest and no payments for a year deal instead. Crazy world we live in

WisePainter · 10-15-2008, 11:19 AM

I worked as a Foreman with a company that flirted with the HD filled painting idea.

One of the offices was loaded floor to ceiling with HD crap that was required to be used on EVERY job...

Needless to say they dumped HD and steamed along just fine.

seifconst · 10-16-2008, 03:18 PM

Holy shiiiiiiit 30% that seems ridiculous, $4500 on a 15000 dollar job.

Tony Stewart isn't complaining.

Alpha · 10-17-2008, 06:49 PM

30%? why not? If enough leads come in, why not be able to add it to the bill?

Although it would be difficult to charge those numbers without really separating yourself from the competition. Howeve maybe possible....

Bkessler · 10-17-2008, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpha

30%? why not? If enough leads come in, why not be able to add it to the bill?

Although it would be difficult to charge those numbers without really separating yourself from the competition. Howeve maybe possible....

You can spend that 30% on some effective marketing and get two or three jobs at least.