Posted: 12/19/2019 11:16:02 AM EDT
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Since moving in a new house I needed a gate installed on my driveway and a higher fence put on the back of the yard so I could let my dogs in the yard. After getting ran around by a couple local fence businesses (job not big enough, no call/no show appointments, etc) I went through Lowes, who sent a guy out pretty quick.
Lets just say that was months ago every single step of this process since has been an absolute nightmare. Here is the culminating event...guys came to install, added the higher fence on the rear, but the bottom was so slack I could crawl under it and there were a couple 6-8" gaps at the base due to the ground not being level. Those I will just add dirt to. On to the gate, the said they couldnt install it because it was too wide and it would push it into my power meter. I call the company, they say they will figure it out. Well while I was at work yesterday they showed up announced with nobody home and decided to just go ahead and install the gate, TOUCHING MY UTILITY METER and blocking the access door from opening. I got home to a gate up and this nonsense. 
Now I dont install fences for a living or anything, but a 30 second google search showed me that it needed to be at least 3 feet from the box, and I dont think blocking the access door was a good move either. Oh wait, its clearly marked on the box right next to where they installed the pole.  I hate contractors so much. |
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code violation, legit safety risk, yada yada yada.
So yeah, about right for a Lowes installer. 
ETA: They might have gotten away with it if they had buried a sleeve for the fence post instead. Would have made the post removable whenever the meter needs servicing - but even that is iffy with an inspector. |
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I think your guys just finished installing a stairway at another place....
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my parents had a "lowes approved installer" build our composite deck about 4-5 years ago.
they didnt concrete the support posts into the ground so they sunk. Deck have a few huge sags in it now and the railing is coming apart. of course lowes does not want to pay anything and the approved installer is no longer in business. |
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Yup that's pretty standard practice.The company I hired made two when I had them install my chain link Come to find out their initial plan wasnt even up to code anyway because it was still blocking access to the meter. |
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We've done a few of our own fences, usually field fencing and some strands of barbed wire, and that job makes us look like freaking pros!
Never had to make my own gates, I've got space to work with, but I've seen kits that basically let you make a gate the size you need it. How hard can in be to make a custom size gate? Never done a fresh install of chain link, but the repairs have been easy, and a number of people I know prefer to install chain over field. I mean, I still need to adjust the vehicle gate I installed last Sunday, but at least it latches and keeps the dogs in! And I did it myself... But that's why I like the hook bolts over the hook screws, easier for me to level and slide the gate a bit for when I screw up my posts.
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OP, if by any chance you live in the central VA area (unlikely), I have a great business to recommend. They had my 3-board fence w/ 2 double-wide gates and chicken wire installed within 2 days and only because we got some rain one of the days. This was 3 days after closing on our new house. I'm on a 1/2 acre lot and the fence covers the entire back yard. Everyone in my neighborhood uses them. |
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Quoted: That's what I was told would happen, that they would cut them down and reweld to fit. I was waiting on the lowes project manager who took the initial measurements to come out because he was claiming they were correct. They were, for the raw width of the driveway but he didnt take into account the width of the poles and brackets since this gate was being mounted inside of those. Come to find out their initial plan wasnt even up to code anyway because it was still blocking access to the meter. The guys I hired welded and made the gates at my property . They came ready to do a the job with cement mixer , welder on truck and a bobcat with post hole digger . Mine was a big job but like I said I understand your frustration when calls are not returned due to a job too small . |
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I had Lowe's install a fence, havy gauge, vinyl coated chainlink, 5 foot height, double dog wire buried and 2 x44 inch gates. Not only was the job perfect, but it was less than half of the next cheapest estimate and a third of the most expensive estimate.
OP, Call Lowe's and bitch, they'll make it right. |
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I had Lowe's install a fence, havy gauge, vinyl coated chainlink, 5 foot height, double dog wire buried and 2 x44 inch gates. Not only was the job perfect, but it was less than half of the next cheapest estimate and a third of the most expensive estimate. OP, Call Lowe's and bitch, they'll make it right. |
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It's ok OP I hired a legit fence company to redo my wood fence and put one section further up then before. I come home to them 1/2 way done with that new section in the same exact spot. "Whoa Whoa guys, that fence doesn't belong there, look at the drawings, that was half the reason for redoing the fence." "Ohhh...yeah" Had to pull the 4 new posts concreted in to the ground and install another 6. 95% of them are fucking idiots |
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It's hard to get good help nowadays. Good luck to OP. Reminds me why I always try to DIY whenever possible. My next lengthy period of leave from work I may be teaching myself how to lay laminate flooring, considering how this project went. |
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They hire the lowest bidder and charge the customer the highest costs . 1) Not knowing what contractors to call. Whatever you need, they'll find someone. They may suck, but they'll find someone that will show up and do it. 2) Having a single point of escalation or refund recourse that works. VERY few contractors are you ever going to get your money back from or get to fix it right. Lowes if you complain enough and they sucked enough, will just own up and send another contractor at no extra charge, or give you money back. With that said... if you know someone good you trust, heck yeah I would use them. The contractor market is probably ripe for disruption due to all the pain and sucky contractors out there. Too hard to find a good one, someone could come in and make it much easier. |