They are a force to be dealt with. Not everyone will purchase from Home Depot or CTI.  But they are coming to a town near you so.. learn about them and position yourself to compete. They plan to not only do production builders, but Home Depots work and they are going to go after commercial work.  They pay well, have great bennies and will try and steal every good fabricator they can get.  I want to know everyone in my market and all of their strengths and weakness's.  Good shops will survive.  

On a similar note. I saw an help wanted ad for "Home Solutions by Home Depot"  They wanted "proven closers" in the home remodeling industry. Pay was $100,000 +.  I have no idea what this is but know several that have applied so when I find out will be happy to post this new "venture".  When you have several BILLION a quarter you can do alot !  CTI here is working 24 /7 on their granite shop and double shifts on the solid surface side. And thats only in production builders.

[QUOTE]FEDSAWDAVE wrote
I wouldn't say it's politically incorrect, I'd just say it's dancin with the devil ![/QUOTE]

Dave,

Robert Oxley, Executive Vice President  of ISSFA, says HD "pays big money" for training from ISSFA.  Time for a new dance partner?

Joe

This may be politically incorrect, but you may want to look into CTI.  They are home depots fabrication centers. I believe they have about 10 or 12 presently, but are looking into setting many more up.  They offer full benefits, lots of potential for growth and the backing of a huge company. 

How are those shops doing. Putting out good product?

How are those shops doing. Putting out good product?

[/QUOTE]

Their performance had better exceed that of HD's first incantation, the Expo fabrication centers. HD is still paying for replacements from this misadventure. Maybee they'll get it right this time.

Joe

Wags, I was offerd a job with HD  in AZ to run the granite shop.....and declined. Also have had the offer here too. A couple of the big builders here offered to start thier own shops and have me run them. I used to do most of the home depots and lowes around here, I know how they deal with thier customers....I think Ill pass on their offer.

On another note I thank you all for your help..I am in talks with someone right now about relocating.

California doesn’t have a clue of how we are suppose to charge sales tax. Every shop I talk to does it different. We charge sales tax on everything but the install,  that includes all labor done in the shop. If someone comes in with some laminate tops that need to be cut we charge tax on that too. This is all based on what the franchise tax board told me, but as I said they really don’t have a clue. I know we charge more sales tax than we should but as long as we pass it on to them they don’t care.

Shane

Neither does Florida, Shane. All of a sudden, I have Closet Companies calling and telling me: "Tax me on everything." Screws, glue, anchors, caulking etc.... These are things that go out with the finished product, therefore not taxable with a re-sale certificate but they better be taxing the end user. But, some of them have not been doing that. Along comes the Fla Department of Revenue and Mr. audit starts. Problem is, you can call 10 revenue agents and get 8 differant methods as to taxation.

Confusing...

Norm, certain states have agreements as to across state line taxation. Most don't. If you order from our web sites, there is no tax for out of state shipments. However, if you call in an order and say I ship it to you direct fopm a manufacture in New Jersey to Pennsylvania, they have some type of agreement and I must charge tax.

Confusing. We try our best to follow our CPA's directives.

Shane,

We got the same thing going here.  We have been doing it the same for 20 years, so I guess we will stick with it.  I think think there is actually conflicting information about the taxation of custom items, installed.  Don't know the exact info though.