The doors installed very quickly, but on close inspection there is a problem with every single one. I attribute this to an excessively busy schedule. It took 5+ weeks from the time I placed the order to the installation. Three weeks in shipping and another 2 to get an appointment. The installation was for one and half days and it only took one.
After this experience I readjust the formula for determining whether I should to the work or contract. I would have considered most contractors better than myself for the simple fact of having done X at least once more than myself. Now, I figure in the cost and time of doing, for example, one or two doors all over again. In this case, the materials was about $1000 and each door at ~$90. Versus the contracted project at just over $2100. Redoing a door would have cost $90 and 2-3 weeks. The project would have cost less. The time is unknown, because I haven’t fixed all the contractor mistakes, which I would have done myself along the way.
Overall, the appearance in drastically lower than I would accept from my unskilled, unacknowledged self. This experience reiterated what Marie discovered when Lowe’s applied her flooring. I’m aghast at the quality of work, which I would never accept from myself. This lowers the value of my home, but the whole point was to raise the quality. A Lowe’s contractor will never work on my house again. Jessica suggested going directly to Pella Doors. If I have another task again I will go directly to the contractor and leave Lowe’s to supplies.
Door Issues:
Back Door
Wood frame that the storm door is installed into and which is exposed to the elements is not pressure treated, cedar, primed, painted, or covered except by a bit of porch.
Trim around the door is the wrong style.
The corners were caulked instead of wood fillered. No sanding, rough appearance.
Guest Bathroom
Door doesn’t close.
Hinges are not inset.
Door handles are not inset.
Office Bedroom
Damage to inside of room around door knobs. Covered in white caulk and around the mis-sized hole for the door knob.
Depending on weather the door rubs along the top.
Hinges replaced with rounded ones leaving a square inset in the door frame.
Hinges are not inset.
Door handles are not inset.
Bamboo Bedroom
Holes not completely drilled for the door knobs. Knobs not installed.
Hinges are not inset.
Door handles are not inset.
Master Bedroom
Door handles are slightly mis-inset.
Master Bathroom
Door handles are slightly mis-inset.
Hinges are not inset.
Fixes:
Back Door
Removed the storm door, prime and paint the exposed wood, replace the door.
or
Cover the wood with treated trim boards.
Remove trim, replace trim.
Fill corners with white wood filler and sand to unnoticeability.
Guest Bathroom
Remove door, chisel out inset for hinges, chisel out inset for door handles.
Office Bedroom
Remove door knobs, sand down around door know, patch with wood filler, repaint.
Replace hinges with square ones to match the house.
Remove door, chisel out inset for hinges, chisel out inset for door handles.
Bamboo Bedroom
Drill out for the proper door knob fit.
Remove door, chisel out inset for hinges, chisel out inset for door handles.
Master Bedroom
Remove door know correct size of inste with a chisel, reinstall.
Master Bathroom
Remove door know correct size of inste with a chisel, reinstall.
Remove door, chisel out inset for hinges.