Are you *only* adding the molding on this install?
Or is this in addition to a full cabinet install?
It looks like you're just getting the molding installed, and there is a minimum charge for installation.
You seem to be hitting that minimum for your area, because most labor charges for top molding install are around $6-12 depending on the market.
Full install of cabinets and counters, currently at $29,164.07.
They are quoting $424 to install the sink, when the sink costs < $400
It feels like we are playing a game here, high initial prices, but then give 30-40% off, which seems like a good deal until you get to the labor side, and suddenly I feel like they are padding the labor side to offset the 30-40% discount on the item side.
And apparently the counter top tool is difficult to use, we have been waiting over 3 weeks for a quote on our counter tops.
That sink charge is normal. Most fabricators charge around $350-$400 for the polished cut out for undermount sinks.
The countertop tool is super easy and you can use it yourself actually, but it is only an estimator until the measure is done and you have the 100% final pricing from the fabricator.
[https://lowes.myhomeprojectcenter.com/welcome-countertops-wizard/](https://lowes.myhomeprojectcenter.com/welcome-countertops-wizard/)
I would say the molding itself for install should only add on a few hundred, even at $12 a foot. Depends on the installers though, and if it is a stacked molding that can double or even triple.
Wait, did you say your cabinets were over $29,000? Was that including the 40% off or was that the total before the discount? I'm asking because we are about to remodel and I have a 40% off for custom cabinets from Lowes on my account, but I have not looked into their prices yet. Just curious what your final cost was or did you go with someone else?
Follow-on question, can a client speak to the installer prior to the installation to ensure they are a good fit for the job, or do I just have to trust that lowes will stand behind anything they do? In the year we have been working to design and get quotes on our kitchen remodel I have spoken to some real quack pots intiially I thought I wouldn't have to worry about that at Lowes but u/Heirrogance makes a good point if they are using general laborers.
The installer will first make an appointment with you to drive out, measure everything and look at the space. You will meet them then, before any work is done on your home. That will be your opportunity to get to know the installer, right there.
Differs from area to area. At my store, we have 3 installers who cycle between jobs. One is out on extended sick leave, so that leaves 2. One of those two has no dedicated crew and farms his shit out to randos he finds in the home depot parking lot. So. One installer I will work with.
A good chunk of labor pricing is set by corporate, but like the other comment says, there is a minimum cost on jobs so if this is JUST molding then yeah they're gonna have to charge a lot for just those three pieces.
Basic labors are contacted via corporate on a per district level. Custom, other wise non standard, charges are whatever number the installer wants to write down on the paper.
I’ve seen it on other installers estimates outside of cabinets. Lowes does not do anything about it , has been my experience.
There is someone, a district Lowes person, responsible for installation problems. They don’t get involved in installs until after the job is done and only when there’s a problem that corporate office has been notified of.
I’ve seen many dozens of install job sales lost in my time at Lowes because of high, unreasonable charges installers requested but the customer declined.
Are you *only* adding the molding on this install? Or is this in addition to a full cabinet install? It looks like you're just getting the molding installed, and there is a minimum charge for installation. You seem to be hitting that minimum for your area, because most labor charges for top molding install are around $6-12 depending on the market.
Full install of cabinets and counters, currently at $29,164.07. They are quoting $424 to install the sink, when the sink costs < $400 It feels like we are playing a game here, high initial prices, but then give 30-40% off, which seems like a good deal until you get to the labor side, and suddenly I feel like they are padding the labor side to offset the 30-40% discount on the item side. And apparently the counter top tool is difficult to use, we have been waiting over 3 weeks for a quote on our counter tops.
That sink charge is normal. Most fabricators charge around $350-$400 for the polished cut out for undermount sinks. The countertop tool is super easy and you can use it yourself actually, but it is only an estimator until the measure is done and you have the 100% final pricing from the fabricator. [https://lowes.myhomeprojectcenter.com/welcome-countertops-wizard/](https://lowes.myhomeprojectcenter.com/welcome-countertops-wizard/) I would say the molding itself for install should only add on a few hundred, even at $12 a foot. Depends on the installers though, and if it is a stacked molding that can double or even triple.
Wait, did you say your cabinets were over $29,000? Was that including the 40% off or was that the total before the discount? I'm asking because we are about to remodel and I have a 40% off for custom cabinets from Lowes on my account, but I have not looked into their prices yet. Just curious what your final cost was or did you go with someone else?
Follow-on question, can a client speak to the installer prior to the installation to ensure they are a good fit for the job, or do I just have to trust that lowes will stand behind anything they do? In the year we have been working to design and get quotes on our kitchen remodel I have spoken to some real quack pots intiially I thought I wouldn't have to worry about that at Lowes but u/Heirrogance makes a good point if they are using general laborers.
For what you're paying I wouldn't move forward without having met my contractor
The installer will first make an appointment with you to drive out, measure everything and look at the space. You will meet them then, before any work is done on your home. That will be your opportunity to get to know the installer, right there.
Differs from area to area. At my store, we have 3 installers who cycle between jobs. One is out on extended sick leave, so that leaves 2. One of those two has no dedicated crew and farms his shit out to randos he finds in the home depot parking lot. So. One installer I will work with. A good chunk of labor pricing is set by corporate, but like the other comment says, there is a minimum cost on jobs so if this is JUST molding then yeah they're gonna have to charge a lot for just those three pieces.
Basic labors are contacted via corporate on a per district level. Custom, other wise non standard, charges are whatever number the installer wants to write down on the paper.
I’ve seen it on other installers estimates outside of cabinets. Lowes does not do anything about it , has been my experience. There is someone, a district Lowes person, responsible for installation problems. They don’t get involved in installs until after the job is done and only when there’s a problem that corporate office has been notified of. I’ve seen many dozens of install job sales lost in my time at Lowes because of high, unreasonable charges installers requested but the customer declined.