Budget is a first-priority consideration in any home improvement project. Those with unlimited funds are few and fortunate. For the rest, there’s a real temptation to think that ‘how-to’ videos and the simplicity of home improvement shows are ways to get our dream spaces for the lowest cost possible.
We might even ask on social media for someone who will work “for the lowest cost possible.” Here are a few reasons you don’t want to let low-cost be your top priority:
- Low cost can mean using materials that won’t stand up to long-term use or using unskilled workers.
- Low cost may mean all kinds of things are excluded. These ‘extras’ will likely show up as ‘change orders’ once you’ve already paid your deposit or the project has started. Don’t assume things are included, because likely they aren’t in the lowest cost bid.
- Low cost can indicate a business running on a cash basis or trying to skirt licensing, insurance, taxes, and regulation. This can be a problem for you if you have a future problem, or if you try to sell your home and find that unpermitted work can’t be included in your square footage.
- Low cost can simply mean a business doesn’t know their true cost of doing business. That may be great for you today, but tomorrow your warranty will be impossible to enforce against a business that no longer exists.
- Low cost may be a tactic for a new business to get themselves established. You may get a deal as they gain experience. In other words, they’ll be learning on your dime.
- Low cost can indicate poor service. Someone who has underbid your work may be quick to leave you mid-stream in order to complete a more profitable project. Your ‘base bid’ project isn’t likely going to come in on-time.
Your home is your largest investment. Using the lowest cost workers or doing some projects yourself can end up costing you big money: in defective work, in your time and money to learn a task or to chase completion, and in peace of mind. The old adage that you can have 1)low cost, 2)quality, OR 3)service is absolutely true in the construction world. Choose 2 of the 3 but don’t expect you’ll ever get all three at once. #constructionprofessionals #localcraftsmanship