DO NOT USE LOWE'S FOR INSTALLATION SERVICES IF YOU EXPECT CUSTOMER SERVICE OR SUPPORT WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG!
After waiting six weeks for a kitchen tile flooring installation, I experienced one of the worst customer service experiences I've ever had. What should have been a straightforward project turned into a nightmare, made significantly worse by Lowe's complete lack of support or urgency.
Installation day -- only one installer showed up. Despite paying $250 for appliance removal and reinstallation, I ENDED UP HELPING the installer move all the appliances.
Unexpected flooring discovery -- work stopped. After removing the existing flooring, we discovered another layer underneath. Once again, I was helping the installer to remove flooring to keep the project moving. About 30 minutes into removal, he called his supervisor (Brandon), who instructed him to stop because the old flooring might contain asbestos. I understand the safety concern. What I don't understand is why Lowe's had no plan to help a customer deal with the situation. The installer left, telling me the project was on hold until I completed asbestos testing.
Lowe's offered ZERO assistance. At this point, my kitchen was unusable. I had no appliances, no kitchen water, and no washer or dryer. When I contacted the store manager for help finding an asbestos testing service, I was essentially told it was my problem and to "try Google." I repeatedly made it clear that I was willing to pay whatever was necessary to resolve the issue quickly. I wasn't asking Lowe's to pay for anything -- I was asking for HELP. I ultimately confirmed the old flooring contained asbestos.
I found a possible solution myself. That evening, I discovered that switching from tile to vinyl flooring woul the project to proceed. NO ONE at Lowe's had suggested this alternative. I immediately went to the store and notified them of my willingness to change materials. I also texted the installer and Brandon, hoping to get the project restarted the next day.
Trying to contact Lowe's was another nightmare. The next morning, I heard nothing. Lowe's automated AI phone system made reaching an actual person incredibly difficult. Twice I managed to get through, only to be disconnected after approximately 15 minutes on hold each time. Brandon (manager of the Installation Co) eventually called me back but said he couldn't help and that everything was up to Lowe's.
Lowe's solution? Leave me without a kitchen for another week! When the store finally contacted me, I was told they couldn't get an installer back for AT LEAST another week. I explained that my kitchen was unusable, my appliances were disconnected, and asbestos-containing flooring had been exposed during their installation work. None of this seemed to create any sense of urgency.
THE RESULT: I canceled the entire installation, returned all the flooring that had been delivered, and was left to deal with the mess myself.
My advice: Think very carefully before hiring Lowe's for installation services. The real test of a company isn't when everything goes smoothly -- it's how they respond when something goes wrong.
In my experience, Lowe's failed that test completely. I wasn't looking for anything free. I was willing to pay to get the problem resolved. All I needed was someone to take ownership, offer guidance, and help get my kitchen functioning again.
Instead, unanswered calls, no meaningful assistance, and an unusable kitchen. read more