Apple with Pears
Green Apples Wall Art, Anthropology
There is a recurring problem in our industry that can be a tad frustrating. Which is comparing apples with pears, and bananas with oranges.
It is important to retain more than one quote 99.99% of the time, to be sure that you are not overpaying. However, this can be completely counteractive unless you are sure to request the same variables. And I am sorry to say that the big secret is, you get what you pay for.
Window dressing will work as a fine example here, it’s a lot less of a headache than building work tendering. So, to set the scene - we started working with our window dressing contractor 10 years ago, his craftsmanship is exquisite. The mechanics and fabric used are always a high quality, and the handmade curtains/blinds are installed skilfully. The problem occurs when one only clocks the price and seeks an alternative quote. The untrained eye then marvels at all the money they have saved by finding a cheaper contractor.
There are hundreds of ways to tailor a specification to reduce a price so for Pete’s sake enquire about this. It is shooting yourself in the foot to see the cost alone, when it has been achieved by single lining fabrics and plastic poles. Compare like for like quotes, this is what the professionals do.
Furniture packages are our thing, and there is so much more to it than the bottom line. I feel like a broken record when I say - the fine balance is between being aware that the product is an investment so whilst the numbers matter greatly, longevity does too, as does making the property stand out from alternative properties on the market. In short, the various furnishing quotes you have are all using different products. A frank and honest conversation is the best state of play here, in order to get ‘right product right price’, not just ‘right price’.
For the personal and long-term projects, please prioritise choosing the person you trust and will enjoy working with over cost alone if you can. And do not be afraid to tell them your budget, you may well end up spending less with them. If they are good at what they do, they will be able to make necessary reductions in the right place.
The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten - Benjamin Franklin