04/14/2025
Here's a rare picture of Jacob on his Ladder. 😄 Although that is a fun part of this post; it is not the main purpose. I wanted to share a couple of Frequently Asked Questions with you this morning along with how I would respond.
(~5 minute read)
- Client: Can we take on some of the work ourselves?
- My Answer: Absolutely. "Sweat Equity" is a real thing. Time (Labor) has a value to it and if you are able to spend some of your time on your project, it is a way for you to reduce overall project costs. I aim to work with you on what this partnership could look like and how it can provide you with the best value.
- Client: Can we purchase materials and have them ready for you?
- My Answer: This question can present some complexities. The general assumption is that buying your own material will save you money (Contractor Markup). While this is true from a basic accounting perspective, it may not remain true throughout the course of your project. The "Markup" applied covers so many areas from my time spent resourcing, acquiring, delivering, staging to overall working knowledge of the best materials for your project. If I am working with new material or I am short on current materials, time (labor) can increase quickly due to inefficiencies. There are materials that make sense for both parties (Client and Contractor) to be responsible for, but this is unique for each project.
- Client: Should we gather other quotes to compare?
- My Answer: Although this question is less commonly asked of me, it is still a big consideration when shopping for a Remodeling Contractor. Cost is oftentimes a determining factor. The risk however, is when cost takes priority over value. Today, most Remodeling Contractors estimate your potential project based on their perspective of how long (labor) it will take and how much (rate) their time is worth. This means 3 people with various depths of experience can look at the same project but vastly underbid or overbid based on the Scope of Work. If you simply focus on cost, this can lead to you hiring the newest business with an underestimated Scope of Work. This can result in Contractor stress, frustration, financial loss and poor quality craftsmanship. Cost can be important, but it is also equally important to look for experience, communication and detail.
If you have made it this far, thank you! I appreciate your investment. If you have any other questions, feel free to comment them and I will happily provide my answer.
Have a great week!
Jacob
