As a managing partner for a residential contracting company, one of the biggest issues we see in our industry is when a customer’s budget doesn’t match their expectations for a finished project. As my husband likes to say, people want the Bentley experience on a used Honda Civic budget. While we all love a good bargain, there are some things that cannot be accomplished for a low price without sacrificing something, whether it be the craftsmanship, time, or service. Take the above picture, for example. I saw this meme circulating on the internet and couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the relevancy.
Haggling Prices Hurts Homeowners
It does not help our industry when contractors have normalized customers haggling the price of their work. This is seen by many people as a standard practice in the industry. However, why should contractors haggle with their prices? After all, do you haggle prices with your doctor or dentist after an office visit? If you need to have a medical procedure done, would you pick the cheapest doctor or would you look for the most qualified doctor to perform the surgery? The truth is, like any other profession, contractors and other skilled tradesmen have spent many years training and perfecting their craft, and they should be compensated appropriately.
The Price of Quality Does not Equal Quality of Work or Service
The price of quality also doesn’t just mean the quality of work. It can also mean the quality of service you receive. We often hear from new customers how they were in communication with other contractors, but suddenly they are unreachable. The worst is when we hear about “fly-by-night” contractors doing substandard work and they are nowhere to be found when issues pop up a few months later.
To put it simply, you get what you pay for. If you are looking for shoddy work and poor communication, or dare I say, an unfinished job, then go with the cheapest contractor you can find. However, if you are looking for quality craftsmanship and service, don’t always brush off the contractor with the higher prices. Take some time to find out why their prices are a little higher, or better yet, investigate why the other guy is cheaper. The higher priced work most often not only includes quality work, but also peace of mind. When trusting someone with your house, what else can you ask for?
The Livable Homes Difference
Livable Homes was founded on strong communication, accurate quotes, and work backed by warranty. When we provide a quote, we ensure we cover the costs for the entire scope of work. We don’t low-ball quotes to secure a job, only later to come back with price increases to cover the original scope of the project. If the scope of work should change, we collaborate with the homeowners to come up with a mutually agreed upon change order.
When a project is completed, we backup our work with a contractor’s warranty. Now, I’m not saying we are the most expensive contractor, but this level of service comes at a price. We believe that honest and accurate quotes along with open communication are the best tools a residential contractor can have in successfully running a project and managing customer relationships. At the end of the day, all we have is our reputation and our integrity, and we pride ourselves in maintaining this with our customers.
