Anyone who ever said, “Never go with the lowest bidder” wasn’t paying the bill. In fact, I’m pretty sure that spendthrift advice originated with high-priced contractors themselves. They all went to some seminar in Kalamazoo where they made a pact to say things like “Never go with the lowest bidder” and “Never hire the guy who says he can start right away.”
Think what you want of me, but personally, I like fast and cheap.
What are consumers supposed to do? Get three estimates then pick the guy who charges the most and can’t start till after Groundhog Day? Just because a guy is booked and expensive doesn’t mean he’s great. He may just overcharge and be slow. This is a capitalist country. I say, may the cheapest available man (or woman) win.
I didn’t always feel this way. When my husband, Dan, and I first started finishing our basement 18 months ago, we agreed to cut no corners. We spared no expense on a fireplace and bought a top-dollar heating system. Soon we ran out of top dollars and were down to bottom dollars. Then we stopped asking how good and just want to know how much. Plus, I started feeling sorry for all the qualified, well-meaning workers who get passed up because their low prices make them suspect. So, my new policy: Support the lowest bidder!
As our basement remodel nears the home stretch – and stretched is how we feel – we asked five trim carpenters for bids. All these guys were licensed pros who knew their trade and had good referrals. Their prices to install baseboards and window casings, and hang doors – not including materials – were as follows: The new guys in town, whom we wrongly figured might want to establish themselves with reasonable pricing, said $6,500. The European guy said $4,000. The guy referred by my friend at the gym said $3,800. The guy who framed our basement, and thus had the incumbent advantage, said $2,600. Then Aaron, whom we suspect is in a witness protection program because he also goes by another name, said $2,100. After about five seconds of deep consideration, we chose Aaron.
I did worry briefly. “Should we go with Aaron just because he’s cheapest?” I asked Dan.
“When was the last time you were in a home where someone said, ‘Cool baseboards!’ or, ‘Who did your awesome window casings?’ ”
“But what do you think the $6,500 guys do that the $2,100 guys don’t?”
“Take more of your money.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Installing trim isn’t neurosurgery.”
“Or something really serious like cutting hair.”
“Huh?”
“I’d never go to the lowest bidder for a haircut unless I had hair like Shaquille O’Neal’s.”
“Whatever.”
Predictably, the higher-priced bidders defended their numbers with talk of quality, integrity, custom craftsmanship and experience. They may be right, but in the end we voted with our pockets. House remodeling is expensive enough without overpaying. As Nixon once said when trimming the federal budget, a million here and a million there adds up. For us, $1,000 here and $1,000 there could pay for carpet, or the basement pool table, or a lot of good haircuts, or a lot of dumb mistakes. And while I’m sure many of you reading this will shake your heads and say we should have gone with a higher bidder, you’re not paying the bill.
Marni Jameson is a nationally syndicated columnist who lives in the Denver area. You may contact her through marnijameson.com.
Tips for getting and comparing contractor estimates
Tips for getting and comparing contractor estimates
