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Kim's Hardware

Hardware store · Chicago, IL · reviewed since 2011

How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%87+55.3Reliability 28%83+23.4Replies to reviews 8%19+1.6Experts Score= 80Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.80SCORE
AGradeLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#3 of 30 hardware storesPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 93%
4.8 ★★★★★ 459 Google reviews · 23 photos
90%five-star reviews
4.87★last 12 monthsAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
2.6%1–2★ in 2 yearsShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
0%reviews answered by the owner
Oct 2026latest review

Kim's Hardware at a glance

Google reviewers rate Kim's Hardware 4.8 out of 5 based on 459 reviews, with the owner not replying to any comments. Customers frequently praise the staff for providing helpful advice on plumbing and hardware issues, maintaining competitive pricing, and offering extensive product availability for local projects. Some negative feedback highlights instances of unexpected small charges on receipts, perceived rudeness from certain employees, and difficulties with returning unsuitable products.

  • Google rating: 4.8 out of 5 from 459 reviews (90% five-star).
  • Reviews on this page: 459 Google reviews (331 with written comments, 7 with photos).
  • Owner responses: the business replied to 0% of reviews.
  • Most recent review: October 26, 2026.
  • Service: Hardware Store serving Chicago, Illinois.

Data from Google, last updated November 1, 2026.

Score profile vs other hardware stores

Score per factor (100 = best)Each factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: momentum and satisfaction; weakest: replies to reviews.

Satisfaction87Reliability83Craft & service–Value–Momentum100Replies to reviews19Satisfaction: 87 (median 69)Reliability: 83 (median 77)Momentum: 100 (median 100)Replies to reviews: 19 (median 34)
Kim's HardwareHardware Stores median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactionSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Kim's Hardware: 87/100 on this factor. Category median: 69.A
87
ReliabilityReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Kim's Hardware: 83/100 on this factor. Category median: 77.A
83
Craft & serviceCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet.–
–
ValueValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet.–
–
MomentumMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Kim's Hardware: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Kim's Hardware: 19/100 on this factor. Category median: 34.F
19

Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.

Star ratings

459 Google reviews we collected

  • 5 stars41190%
  • 4 stars337%
  • 3 stars51%
  • 2 stars51%
  • 1 star51%

Praise vs complaints

Phrases our text analysis found in 331 written reviews

  • Praise35898%
  • Complaints92%

Topic share

How often each topic comes up in the written reviews

  • Staff & attitude21358%
  • Price & value6919%
  • Quality & results308%
  • Would recommend257%
  • Speed & response195%
  • Honesty & trust82%
  • Communication31%

What customers talk about

We read 331 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.

  • “Kim were very kind and helpful-- as a newbie to hardware stores, this was a wonderful and convenient place to find all the supplies I needed for house…”
    “Rude, very loud, and disrespectful.”
  • “Great store with a lot of selection and reasonable prices.”
  • “I had a great experience here, both gentlemen working were kind and efficient.”
    “The product, which *they* had suggested, did not work at all for me what I had asked.”
  • “Highly recommend this hardware store to everyone in the city”
  • “One of the employees immediately taught me everything about the spray foam and caulking the gaps in my windows.”
  • “Oh my goodness, the people here are so genuinely friendly and helpful!”
  • “The guy that helped me stayed with me the whole time and answered all of my questions in ways I could understand.”

People customers mention

  • Edgewater 12 reviews
  • Depot 7 reviews
  • John 3 reviews
  • Lowe 3 reviews

praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.

Recent reviews

Aaron2 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 6 days ago★★★★★

Absolutely spectacular service and product availability. Helped me with my radiator issue no problem and provided much needed insight that wasn't as easily available online! Was able to fix all of my issues with their help, insight and products. Highly recommend this hardware store to everyone in the city

SeijiLocal Guide · 15 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 weeks ago★★★★★

Vernon and Mr. Kim were very kind and helpful-- as a newbie to hardware stores, this was a wonderful and convenient place to find all the supplies I needed for household projects and cosplay crafting. Highly recommend to anyone in the neighborhood!

FredLocal Guide · 14 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★

Local, independent spot. Jin is super friendly and greets regulars by name. They have most of the stuff you’ll need for small projects and then some.

Madison3 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★

I had a great experience here, both gentlemen working were kind and efficient. I needed a key copy made and was surprised by both the low price and how quickly it was completed! I was in and out in maybe 5 minutes and paid a fraction of what I’ve paid elsewhere. This is a much better option than going to a kiosk at…

torrenceLocal Guide · 35 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · Edited 2 months ago★★★★★

The owner Mr. Kim, his father, and the other nice men employees are very respectful and courteous. Thanks for being helpful to me everytime I come there.

GeoffreyLocal Guide · 8 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★

Went in to get a toolkit for my son's first apartment and was blown away by the helpfulness of the staff. Great place to get your hardware needs!!

Photos

Customer reviews

4.8 ★★★★★ 459 reviews on Google · rating breakdown

Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).

Team members customers mention
Filter by topic — each topic is highlighted in the reviews in the same color
Aaron Lee2 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Aaron has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Absolutely spectacular service and product availability. Helped me with my radiator issue no problem and provided much needed insight that wasn't as easily available online! Was able to fix all of my issues with their help, insight and products. Highly recommend this hardware store to everyone in the city

Seiji NakakiLocal Guide · 15 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Seiji has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Vernon and Mr. Kim were very kind and helpful-- as a newbie to hardware stores, this was a wonderful and convenient place to find all the supplies I needed for household projects and cosplay crafting. Highly recommend to anyone in the neighborhood!

Spetz8 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Spetz has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Great store, good prices, helpful personnel, highly recommend.

Anonymous6 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Anonymous has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

The people here are so kind! Helped me even close to close

Fred NoinajLocal Guide · 14 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Fred has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Local, independent spot. Jin is super friendly and greets regulars by name. They have most of the stuff you’ll need for small projects and then some.

Nick Adams JrLocal Guide · 75 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Nick has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Great store good service.

Madison3 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Madison has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

I had a great experience here, both gentlemen working were kind and efficient. I needed a key copy made and was surprised by both the low price and how quickly it was completed! I was in and out in maybe 5 minutes and paid a fraction of what I’ve paid elsewhere. This is a much better option than going to a kiosk at a chain store. I actually decided to come here because I tried to use a kiosk before to copy this key and the machine copied it incorrectly, leaving me out the money. I was hopeful that an in person option would be better and am happy to say it was. I will absolutely be back here for any of my hardware or key copying needs in the future, I’m so glad that there is an option like this so close to me

Thomas Bruce5 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Thomas has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Great place to shop and best customer service.

torrence williamsLocal Guide · 35 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews torrence has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

The owner Mr. Kim, his father, and the other nice men employees are very respectful and courteous. Thanks for being helpful to me everytime I come there.

Geoffrey RosLocal Guide · 8 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Geoffrey has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Went in to get a toolkit for my son's first apartment and was blown away by the helpfulness of the staff. Great place to get your hardware needs!!

Kim's Hardware on Google Maps →

Business details