The short answer
Big-box installation programs, like those sold through The Home Depot and Lowe's, connect you with independent installers who are licensed where required, insured and background checked. Each retailer publishes a one-year labor warranty for most installations.[1][2][3] They're built for installing a product you buy from the store. A full remodel with design, permits and several trades is a different job, usually handled by a general contractor under one contract.
How big-box install programs work, per their published pages
- Who does the work: Lowe's says it works with "independent installers from your local community who are licensed, insured and background checked," a network it has used since 1997.[1][2] The Home Depot says home services through it "are performed by independent contractors."[3]
- Labor warranty: Lowe's describes a limited warranty that lasts "one year for most categories from the date of job completion," and says the installed sales contract has the details.[1] The Home Depot says it provides "at minimum a one-year service warranty on all installations," and some categories carry longer coverage.[3][4]
- Product warranty: Both say the manufacturer's product warranty still applies.[1][3]
- Scope limits: Basic installation packages can exclude related work. The Home Depot's water heater page, for example, says extra electrical, plumbing or venting work isn't included in basic installation and may need a custom estimate.[4]
For a single product installed the way it was designed, that model can work well. Things get harder when a project needs layout changes, permits, structural or electrical upgrades, or coordination between many trades.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Big-box install program (as published) | Nextstar Remodeling |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Installing products bought from the retailer (cabinets, counters, flooring, fixtures, water heaters) | Full remodels: kitchens, baths, additions, ADUs, and more. See services |
| Who's on site | Independent installers arranged by the retailer[1][3] | Our team under our CSLB License #1065646 |
| Your contract is with | The retailer, through its installed sales contract[1] | Nextstar Remodeling, directly |
| Workmanship / labor warranty | One year for most categories (Lowe's); one year minimum (Home Depot)[1][3] | 10-Year Workmanship Warranty |
| Product choice | Mostly that retailer's catalog | Any supplier or showroom you choose |
| Design, permits, multiple trades | Varies by category; extra work may need separate estimates[4] | One contractor coordinates design, permits, inspections and every trade |
| Schedule | Set per installation job | On-Time Guaranteed |
We aren't affiliated with The Home Depot or Lowe's. Their terms vary by category and location and can change, so read your installed sales contract.
Questions to ask any installer or contractor
- Who exactly will be in my home, and what is their CSLB license number? (Check it on the CSLB site.[5])
- Who is my contract with, and who handles warranty claims?
- How long is the workmanship warranty, in writing?[6]
- Who pulls permits, and what happens if the job uncovers electrical, plumbing or structural problems?
- Is the down payment within California's limit of $1,000 or 10%, whichever is less?[7]
Frequently asked questions
Do Home Depot and Lowe's use their own employees to install?
According to their published pages, installations are performed by independent installers or contractors who are licensed where required, insured and background checked.
What warranty do big-box installations come with?
Lowe's publishes a limited labor warranty of one year for most categories from job completion. The Home Depot publishes at least a one-year service warranty on installations. Manufacturer product warranties apply separately. Check your installed sales contract.
What warranty does Nextstar offer?
Nextstar Remodeling offers a 10-Year Workmanship Warranty, and projects are On-Time Guaranteed.
Is a big-box install cheaper than a contractor?
It depends on the scope. For a single product install, a retailer package may be simple. For remodels that need design, permits and several trades, compare itemized written bids that include the same scope and warranty terms.
Can Nextstar install products I buy elsewhere?
Ask us during your consultation. We can discuss customer-supplied materials, and manufacturer warranties on those products still come from the manufacturer.
Free consultation
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Tell us what you're planning and where. We'll follow up to set up a consultation. Financing options may be available. Subject to credit approval. Terms vary.
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Nextstar Remodeling · CSLB License #1065646 · 1968 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach 92651
Sources
- Lowe's — Installation & Project Services (installer network, one-year labor warranty)
- Lowe's — Lowe's Installation Program (Independent Service PROviders)
- The Home Depot — Home Services Contractors (independent contractors, one-year service warranty minimum)
- The Home Depot — Water Heater Replacement (example of what basic installation excludes)
- CSLB — Check a License
- CSLB — Learn About Home Improvement Contracts
- California Business & Professions Code §7159.5
Third-party program details are summarized from the publicly posted pages above as of October 2026 and can change; check the provider's current terms. This page is general information, not legal advice.
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