Higher project prices

[bobm]

I am in the process of getting prices for replacing roof, siding, windows on my house. The big box stores such as home depot and lowes prices are turning out to consistantly be higher than the small and / or mom and pop hardware / lumber stores. Windows for the same brand and model being up to 50% higher, Hardy Board plank - up to $0.53 per 12' board and up to $1.42 per 4 x 8 Hardy Board panel. Installed roof for the same brand and specifications up to $ 2.85 per square and up to 30% more for labor. It seams that the big box stores add their cut on top of what the contractor that they send out charges. I have noticed that the quality of most of their products are going and going DOWN over the last few years but the prices increase . Me thinks that I will be shopping the other guys from now on.

 

[canesisters]

Whenever possible ALWAYS support the local businessmen.

 

[bobm]

Our town's local individually owned , but franchise hardware store has consistantly higher prices than the big box stores. They make you think that you are getting better prices, however they hide this by carrying smaller sizes for individual brands ( such as for fertilizers, number of screws per box, etc. ) for the same type/ brand of product. Using your math skills, in reality, higher prices. Buyer beware !

 

[flowerbug]

i do support local businesses, considering the expense of going further for both fuel and time is an important part of my deciding where to check. once or twice a month we "go to town" where the bigger stores are at for certain items we know will be well worth the trip. besides it's where our favorite chinese food place is at.

as for the quality of items at the big box stores. recently bought a chunk of indoor-outdoor carpeting to put in the shed and if i wasn't in the "got to get it done now" mode i would have returned it. very poor quality, the backing barely was stuck to the front in parts, there were a few flaws that i didn't notice until i already had the piece cut in, etc. what a mess. good thing it is just the shed that nobody will rarely see or look at that closely. but still, for the price we paid it should have been at least decent. and then to make things worse the person who cut it didn't cut it very square on the lines and so i had to cut it in on all edges.