Hello, new guy here . . . Private Contractors or Chains?

[markubig]

Hi,

I'm about to purchase my first home. It needs work and as much as I would like to do it myself, I know that I can't do the work (or at least do a good job even if I tried).

My question is: Is it better (price/quality) to go to private contractors to do the work or to go with large chain places (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.).

The kitchen needs to be completely updated (cabinets/walls/floors), and in the family room, dark wood panel needs to be pulled down and dry wall put up.

Thanks, in advance, for your help.

 

[Ukwoody]

Hi and welcome. Since I'm in the UK, I can only speak for over here. Going to small private contractors is fine, but do ask around for recommendations or get refences from them. It will probably work out a lot cheaper that way.

Lowes/ Home Depot will either have a list of recomended tradesmen, or they will have their own b ut charge a hefty wack for using them, usually with a very good mark-up for themselves ion the process! However you do also usually have some kind of guarentee as to work quality and problem solving.

So both have their benefits...

(Personnally I would go for the independant person, as they have a reputation to live upto and will generally take pride in their work - but then I'm a self employed chippie so I would say that.LOL)
Woody