Hi,

My wife and I just buy a house in San Diego, and we are first time home
owner, so we know little about home improvement, such as flooring --
hardwood floor and ceramic tile. Can anybody recommend some good
contractors?

BTW: Can we save money by buying materials and hiring professionals both
from HomeDepot?

--
21

On Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:01:00 -0500, jecky jeckyjil[at]gmail[dot]com
wrote:

Hi,

My wife and I just buy a house in San Diego, and we are first time home
owner, so we know little about home improvement, such as flooring --
hardwood floor and ceramic tile. Can anybody recommend some good
contractors?

BTW: Can we save money by buying materials and hiring professionals both
from HomeDepot?

How much money, ya got?!

"jecky" jeckyjil[at]gmail[dot]com wrote in message
BTW: Can we save money by buying materials and hiring professionals both
from HomeDepot?

--
21

So, you want junk material and crappy work. You're on the right track.

Go to a real lumber yard and as them for references of trades people.

On Sep 5, 3:01*pm, jecky jeckyjil[at]gmail[dot]com wrote:
*Hi,

My wife and I just buy a house in San Diego, and we are first time home
owner, so we know little about home improvement, such as flooring --
hardwood floor and ceramic tile. Can anybody recommend some good
contractors?

BTW: Can we save money by buying materials and hiring professionals both
from HomeDepot?

--
21

If you use reputable, established specialty contractors, they can get
as good or better prices on materials as you.

They have built business relationships, have found suppliers they
like, have bought from them before and will buy from them again. An
owner doesn't have that leverage.

The contractor knows what materials he needs and should have a good
idea of the quantities needed. Both decisions are based on experience.

T

You mentioned HD, saving money, and good work. Can't have all three. Pick
one; do you want good work, done soon, or low price? My Dad used to have a
sign in his office

Good
Fast
Cheap
---------------------
Choose any two

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"jecky" jeckyjil[at]gmail[dot]com wrote in message
...
Hi,

My wife and I just buy a house in San Diego, and we are first time home
owner, so we know little about home improvement, such as flooring --
hardwood floor and ceramic tile. Can anybody recommend some good
contractors?

BTW: Can we save money by buying materials and hiring professionals both
from HomeDepot?

--
21

On Sep 5, 3:01*pm, jecky jeckyjil[at]gmail[dot]com wrote:
*Hi,

My wife and I just buy a house in San Diego, and we are first time home
owner, so we know little about home improvement, such as flooring --
hardwood floor and ceramic tile. Can anybody recommend some good
contractors?

BTW: Can we save money by buying materials and hiring professionals both
from HomeDepot?

--
21

Get to know your neighbors and ask them who they would recommend.

If any of them recommend Home Depot, get to know a different neighbor.

"jecky" wrote

My wife and I just buy a house in San Diego, and we are first time home
owner, so we know little about home improvement, such as flooring --
hardwood floor and ceramic tile. Can anybody recommend some good
contractors?

BTW: Can we save money by buying materials and hiring professionals both
from HomeDepot?

Depends on the job and the local HD contractor. I'd get several estimates,
with some from a more regular contractor. Some simple things, it may not be
worth looking further. Say it's just a ceiling fan or 2, wouldnt really
bother to look further.

On 09/05/08 05:43 pm DerbyDad03 wrote:

My wife and I just buy a house in San Diego, and we are first time home
owner, so we know little about home improvement, such as flooring --
hardwood floor and ceramic tile. Can anybody recommend some good
contractors?

BTW: Can we save money by buying materials and hiring professionals both
from HomeDepot?

Get to know your neighbors and ask them who they would recommend.

If any of them recommend Home Depot, get to know a different neighbor.

Why, when so many people here diss HD and Lowe's, do I see trucks with
"xyz builders" or "pqr electrical contractors" or "abc plumbing" in
their parking lots a large percentage of the times I go there?

One time I was in the electrical dept. at Lowe's and saw a guy with what
looked like a long shopping list. Not having found what I wanted at
Lowe's, I went to one of the local "real electrical suppliers," where I
saw the same guy up a ladder replacing one of their security lights.

Perce

"Percival P. Cassidy" wrote in message

Why, when so many people here diss HD and Lowe's, do I see trucks with
"xyz builders" or "pqr electrical contractors" or "abc plumbing" in their
parking lots a large percentage of the times I go there?

One time I was in the electrical dept. at Lowe's and saw a guy with what
looked like a long shopping list. Not having found what I wanted at
Lowe's, I went to one of the local "real electrical suppliers," where I
saw the same guy up a ladder replacing one of their security lights.

Perce


Some "brand name" items are the same no matter where you buy them and HD may
be a few pennies cheaper. When it comes to more specialty items or high
quality goods, you won't see those contractors at the big box stores. If
they want good personal service they won't be their either.

"jecky" jeckyjil[at]gmail[dot]com wrote in message
...
Hi,

My wife and I just buy a house in San Diego, and we are first time home
owner, so we know little about home improvement, such as flooring --
hardwood floor and ceramic tile. Can anybody recommend some good
contractors?

BTW: Can we save money by buying materials and hiring professionals both
from HomeDepot?

--
21

The best thing I can say is ask PEOPLE. People you know who have had work
done in the past. Stop by some houses that are being built and introduce
yourself to the owner. Most times they are willing to help a clueless
newbie. If you see any renovation or rebuilding in your neighborhood, stop
in and introduce yourself.

If you ask contractors, they are all the greatest. The person you want to
talk to is the one who has hired people in the past.

Then go from there.

You obviously don't know a lot, or you wouldn't ask about Home Depot. Yes,
you can save money by buying your own supplies and getting labor only bids,
but in lots of cases, the goods a craftsman would buy will be better and
only a little more expensive than what you would pick. Let's say
carpenters. The studs and most lumber they have at HD is, for lack of a
better term, crap. A good carpenter will go to a yard, and get good lumber.
That way, you get a better job. You can either pay more from a yard through
a carpenter, or have to buy more at HD to compensate for all the knotty
warped twisted lumber you throw away. It comes out the same.

Good craftsmen are out there doing good work and projects and making money.
The derelicts and fugitives are hanging around HD looking for work.

Steve

Why, when so many people here diss HD and Lowe's, do I see trucks with
"xyz builders" or "pqr electrical contractors" or "abc plumbing" in
their parking lots a large percentage of the times I go there?

Lots of good craftsmen BUY stuff there. But the guys they hire to do
installations are the question.

Let me ask it this way ........ If Bob Farquar is a really good carpet guy,
why isn't he out installing carpet and making the full amount from custom
customers rather than hiring out to do a whole house for $100 from HD?

Hint: it's because he's no good, is an illegal, or has a drinking problem.

Steve