DIYers can find a wide range of services, some free, at big-box stores.(Photo: Thinkstock)
Behind every homeowner’s DIY project, there’s a story about his or her experience with a big-box home improvement retailer. Whether you gutted a kitchen or replaced plumbing fixtures, you likely visited your local store for a tool or a tack.
To assist you with any project, many one-stop superstores also offer a wide range of customer services (often free), including classes, design consultations and custom orders.
Here are some of the biggest chains’ programs and perks.
HOME DEPARTMENT SERVICES
Homeowners can design their own Sektion kitchen by Ikea. (Photo: Ikea)
IKEA
From measurement to planning to installation, Ikea has built a menu of kitchen-design services that gives DIYers the flexibility to do as much or as little work as they want to bring their dream kitchen to life.
“Most people know that Ikea has kitchen cabinets and accessories, but the truth is, we sell it all —appliances, faucets, sinks, lighting, storage, you name it, we’ve got it,” says Ikea U.S. design spokeswoman Janice Simonsen.
Shoppers get the chance to act as their own interior designer with the help of the online 3-D Kitchen Planner — enter exact measurements, view the design in 3-D, determine cost and print a plan and product list that can be sent or taken to your Ikea store.
LOWE’S
Lowe’s offers installation services for many of its products through independent contractors, including flooring, millwork, kitchens and appliances. On-site specialists are available to assist customers with selecting products and services for their home, inside and out.
“Additionally … our exterior project specialists help customers with projects that benefit from in-home consultations such as roofing, siding, fencing and windows,” says Gary Gross, Lowe’s vice president of services. “Our interior project specialists provide similar consultations for interior projects such as kitchen and bathroom remodeling.”
For the younger DIY set, Lowe’s offers free Build and Grow clinics for children.
SEARS
“While most people have probably seen Sears Blue Crew vans driving around their towns, they might be surprised to know that Sears Home Services is the nation’s largest provider of residential services, such as appliance repair and home improvement,” says Chip Smith, chief marketing officer of home services and appliances at Sears. “Our nearly 7,000 technicians are trusted in more than 14 million homes across the country every year.”
In addition to appliance repair and maintenance, Sears Home Services offers home improvement services, including kitchen and bathroom remodeling, roofing, flooring, siding and painting.
Home Depot associates are on hand to assist customers with questions. (Photo: The Home Depot)
THE HOME DEPOT
In addition to having a team of interior designers who work with buyers to make sure all stock at The Home Depot is on-trend, the store also regularly conducts free in-store workshops that can help you hone your DIY skills as well as tackle projects inspired by Pinterest or other sources of home-decorating inspiration. The company also offers free, monthly workshops for kids.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
IKEA
Ikea Family is a free loyalty membership program with benefits that include:
• Access to a new selection of sale products every month with special members-only prices.
• Free coffee or hot tea every time you visit.
• If a product purchased using the Ikea Family card goes on sale at a lower price any time within 90 days, Ikea will refund the difference.
LOWE’S
In addition to the approximately 36,000 items on sale in a typical Lowe’s store, thousands of additional products are available by special order. Gross says special orders (from catalogs and samples in the store) can be placed in any store or online and are typically available seven to 14 days from the order date.
Sears offers in-vehicle pickup to make purchases and returns easier. (Photo: Sears)
SEARS
Sears focuses on making the shopping experience smoother by offering services that ease purchases and returns. “Buying what you really want should be easy. Nobody enjoys having to return or exchange items, so we have expanded our popular, curbside In-Vehicle Pickup program to include returns and exchanges — making the process more manageable and convenient for Sears shoppers,” says Leena Munjal, senior vice president of customer experience and integrated retail.
In-vehicle pickup guarantees items will be delivered to your car within five minutes or less, or you’ll receive a $5 coupon.
THE HOME DEPOT
In 1995, The Home Depot opened tool rental centers in four Nashville stores as a test, and because it made projects (and life) a whole lot easier. By renting tools you only need a handful of times a year, storage becomes less of an issue, says Tony English, tool rental merchant at The Home Depot.
And another big bonus: Renting the tools you don’t use frequently is budget-friendly, says English.
The Home Depot also rents moving trucks through its partnership with Penske, as well as moving equipment such as dollies and hand trucks, and sells moving supplies. Customers can find a calculator at hdmoving.com that helps tally the amount of equipment and supplies, based on the number of rooms, needed for the big move.
On newsstands until May 16, 2016. (Photo: Studio Gannett)