I'm looking to lay some wood-like tile in at least 2 bedrooms, eventually 3 and a bathroom. Has anyone ever used Home Depot or Lowe's? I'm a little skeptical of the quality, just with not knowing who they would contract the work out to. For further consideration, I'm out in Midland.

I'm currently thinking I may end up going with one of the local shops, but imagine I could get a much better deal through the big box stores. Anyone have any suggestions or advice?

In BCS I used a mom and pop tile shop for installation. I was very pleased.

Yeah, I think a mom and pop may be better, but obviously there's going to be quite a price difference I think. Spoke with a local store today, plan on running by Lowe's & Home Depot tomorrow.

OK to buy your materials from them, but do not use their contractors. Period. EOT.

Is there a discount type flooring store near you? Call them and ask for a list of their subs. A mom and pop store might also give you a list of subs.

Then you can call and get install quotes for whatever material you buy.

txaggie_08 said:

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Yeah, I think a mom and pop may be better, but obviously there's going to be quite a price difference I think. Spoke with a local store today, plan on running by Lowe's & Home Depot tomorrow.

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Mom and pop was cheaper.

Dandy 76 said:

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OK to buy your materials from them, but do not use their contractors. Period. EOT.

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As far as floors go I agree. Parents had wood look tile installed by a Lowe's contractor and the initial install was crap on a cracker. After a few calls and an onsite review they ripped up the entire floor and used a different contractor to reinstall it correctly. Looks great but it wasn't easy getting there.

We used the same Lowe's to have the back entry door installed (including rebuilding the thresh hold) and had no issues. The contractor showed up as scheduled and took his time to do a the job right.

Don't they just subcontract the work out to local contractors anyway? Better to be able to choose for yourself who will do the work.

jamesf said:

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Don't they just subcontract the work out to local contractors anyway? Better to be able to choose for yourself who will do the work.

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They do. It's the quality of those subcontractors that worry me. You don't know who you're getting until they show.

txaggie_08 said:

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jamesf said:

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Don't they just subcontract the work out to local contractors anyway? Better to be able to choose for yourself who will do the work.

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They do. It's the quality of those subcontractors that worry me. You don't know who you're getting until they show.

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Correct. I've only used HD installers one time and it was a positive experience, but there are a lot of negative things posted online about the same company.

could probably end up with the same sub whether buying through HD or Lowe's, unless they have some sort of exclusivity agreement.

I got Home Depot to install vinyl plank tiles in two rooms in 2008. Their vinyl guy came from Ft Worth and was amazingly meticulous! It took him two days to complete the job so he stayed in Waco overnight. These were advertised as DIY planks but the reviews complained of Goo coming up between the seams. Each plank has a glue pad on one end and one side...if they are adjoining the next plank incorrectly the glue felt will come up....we have had ZERO problems with the installation!

I'm in Midland too.

We gutted and redid our kitchen last year. We used Lowe's for hanging the cabinets and installing a new door. For our kitchen, their subs all came out of El Paso or Albuquerque. Ordering and scheduling everything through Lowe's felt like pulling teeth.

We ended up finding a local tile and granite shop (Rodriguez Tile and Granite) to do the counter tops and tile work, and had a really good experience.

Get a quote from HD and Lowe's if you want, but I'd definitely recommend talking to some local guys too.

BTW, you don't have to buy your tile from the same people that are installing it. For us, it came out cheaper to order the tile from Wayfair and it worked out great.

Wood look tile is really difficult to install and have it look good, especially when you are get into the longer tile lengths. I'd want to find someone who has a lot of experience laying it--not just the luck of the draw of who Lowes or HD would send out. For what it's worth, I'll install square ceramic/porcelain tile myself all day long, but I won't do the wood look--I'm not that good.

Avoid Lowe's or Home Depot at all cost. They sub out to the lowest bidder, and the turn over rate for contractors and Lowe's/HD is absolutely ridiculous.