elkoholic Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 Here's the scenario; we wanted to replace the kitchen counter top and proceeded to go to Lowe's to check out the possibilities. Not wanting to break the bank, we selected a Corian counter top priced at $49.00 per square foot installed, with approximately 35 square feet the price would be $1715.00. There is a $70.00 fee for having the company, who actually makes and installs the tops, come and do their own measurements, which is taken off the final charge should you have the work done. We also planned an upgrade with a seamless backsplash, which Lowe's had no idea what it would cost. We were thinking that with the upgrade maybe $2500.00 total, plus plumbing fixtures. Well, the estimate came back at over $3500.00. There is a $500.00 charge for removing the old counter top, plus a $35.00 charge per lineal foot labor charge for the cove (seamless) backsplash, and with 21 feet that totals $735.00, for an extra $1235.00 in labor over the built in labor charge for the counter top. Installation does not include any of the plumbing work. The whole process of removal and installation is projected to take four hours or less. Making the whole labor charge well in excess of $300.00 per hour. Well now, how much do you make per hour? Is this labor charge excessive? Remember, most doctors and lawyers do not make that much. Also, should Lowe's not have had some clue as to the added charge and what installed really means? What does $49.00 (or whatever the price) installed (talking counter tops) mean to you? I would appreciate any and all input on this. If any of you contractors out there could share your thoughts, please do. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birddog Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 Re: $ per hour Corian is pretty but it will scratch very easily: I would look at Granite (ideally) or Zodiak is really good too! Any way you look, it is some expensive stuff: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 Re: $ per hour "I would appreciate any and all input on this." Here is the first mistake you made...LOL "we wanted to replace the kitchen counter top and proceeded to go to"......... That right there was going to cost you some serious change Secondly......... "The whole process of removal and installation is projected to take four hours or less. Making the whole labor charge well in excess of $300.00 per hour." Thats highway robbery...I dont care where you live!!! JMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitrrophybowhunter Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 Re: $ per hour Elkoholic. I am in the same spot remodeling the kitchen. Go to a mom and pop granite dealer. I found a place by me for $35 a sq foot installed with a hald bullnose edge. The selection was out of only 12 styles but had many types. It is worth it to search for a discounted granite place! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sasksheds Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 Re: $ per hour That is crazy!!!Check your paper under handymen.Maybe find a guy that does it on the side.Ask around.That's what I did & saved a pile.Gotta like those CASH deals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 Re: $ per hour I played that same exact game about 4 years ago. My wife and I decided to have the countertop people make the counters to our specifications, and I did the work myself. They estimated $1800 for us, I ended up doing it myself for a little over $500. Personally, I think those counter dudes charge too much, and you also have to realize that Lowes has to make their money in there somewhere too. If you're dead set on getting that type of counter, and you don't want to do the work, I'd say go to the counter people directly and skip Lowes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horst Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 Re: $ per hour Ok heres what Im getting out of this. [ QUOTE ] There is a $70.00 fee for having the company, who actually makes and installs the tops, come and do their own measurements [/ QUOTE ] Depending on how straight{or crooked}everything is and the shape of the counter top, straight, "L"shaped, "U" shaped etc... this can be money well spent and not figured into the installation fee, kinda like getting a custom coutertop to fit what you have.To get these to look and fit right the measurements have to be pretty exact. [ QUOTE ] There is a $500.00 charge for removing the old counter top [/ QUOTE ] You got screwed, that shoulda been figured in the installation price or else there shoulda been a disclaimer of some sort in the ad.It dont take long to remove a counter top and that price is way outta line for the amount of work involved. [ QUOTE ] $35.00 charge per lineal foot labor charge for the cove (seamless) backsplash, and with 21 feet that totals $735.00 [/ QUOTE ] Thats gotta just be the cost of the backsplash itself, the backsplash is attached to the coutertop so it all goes in at the same time, so there shouldnt be any additional cost for installation of it.The 35$ a ft is probably just the cost of manufacturing it.Its a lot harder to build a countertop with a seamless backsplash than it is to build one without.And remember, thats being charged in lineal ft rather than sq ft which adds up a lot faster than sq ft would. On the same note the 49$ a sq ft for the countertop isnt all labor, the cost of the countertop itself is figured in with that 49$.To custom build a counter top , which most of them are anymore since everyones kitchens different takes awhile, they cant just set up one jig for all of them and mass produce them if you see what im saying. Aside from the 500$ tear out fee which is ridiculous, its not to far out of line, you just gotta keep in mind the whole bill isnt for labor, part of its the cost of producing the countertop and backsplash, and customizing it to fit your cupboards and kitchen set up.Hope this makes sense, but from what Im getting outta this your estimate is for both the labor, and the materials, not just installation fees.If I missed something please explain and Ill try to refigure it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion_70 Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 Re: $ per hour Skip Lowes and ask around for people who build cabinets. Usually you'll get a better deal. Or if you want to get the cabinets and stuff at lowe's still, find a local handyman that can do the installs. They'll usually charge about 35 an hour or give a set price for it all. IT's a little leg work, but worth it in the end. If you're pretty handy, you can install the cabinets yourself it you want to go to the trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronS Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 Re: $ per hour Maybe they hired some NHL players that are off for the season to do the work for them. Seriously though, that is way too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldawg Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 Re: $ per hour If nothing else, at least take a couple of minutes and pull the counter top off yourself!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchies Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 Re: $ per hour First off find a contractor and have them estimate it. Do not let Lowe's estimate anything. My dad is a commercial Salesman for Lowe's in Ardmore, OK and I can tell you they are gonna stick it to you. Contractors get discounts on all product they buy from Lowe's so your materials are gonna be cheaper and a contractor will probably take the old top off for free. Check around before you buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 Re: $ per hour I'm with everyone else.Tear it out yourself and find someone else to install it.I've worked with Corian before and it's not that hard if you have the right stuff.I would say there are quite a few local contractors that could knock that out for a lot less money.Then with the money you save you can buy a new shotgun or bow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimT Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 Re: $ per hour I personally would buy granite, and install it myself. If your not comfortable doing it, I would definatly shop around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billkay Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 Re: $ per hour Corian is expensive compared to other options. The price per sq ft is about right, as is the lineal foot charge for the backsplash. Perhaps a bit high on the backsplash. The fee, which would be returned for measuring is well worth it. There is rarely if ever a room with actual square walls. They are always in square, <90 or out of square, >90. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 Re: $ per hour As others have said, Lowes gets their cut when you go through them. You would be better off finding a contractor on your own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archerjg Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 Re: $ per hour Mom and Dad just redid the whole kitchen and it was cheaper to go to a cabinet place to get the work done. We ripped out the old cabinets ourselves which saved a lot of money. We also found an independent granite dealer for the countertops and it was fairly cheap to get it cut, delivered, and installed. It was less than $1,000 for the countertops. Archerjg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Schmeck Posted February 26, 2005 Report Share Posted February 26, 2005 Re: $ per hour I think that is a fair price as long as they are wearing a mask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkoholic Posted March 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Re: $ per hour I would like to thank everyone for their input. The labor price for the backsplash ($35.00 per lineal foot) is specifically stated as "labor only" on the estimate. The top is a standard width and backsplash height with only the length being different. I would have no problem removing the old top, or even installing the new one, but for someone to charge that much seems unethical and I did not even call to get a new estimate. If I could just buy the counter top, I would, but you have to have it installed. I will add, that the one we wanted has an integral, seamless sink, which was to included for free (a supposed $500.00 option). Well, it's off to find a less expensive version tomorrow. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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