How to Review A Contractor Proposal
Always Read the Fine Print...
This blog is more of a personal observation than my other blogs on painting projects. Over the years I have submitted hundreds of proposals for homeowners, businesses and general contractors and I have discovered one common FLAW in the bidding process. Most people reviewing proposals do not read them thoroughly... I always mention to clients when submitting my proposal to review my scope of work and paint products submitted for the job. I always have hopes they will call and ask “can you change this” or “add that here” or “clarify this” because then I know they have taken the time to read and give thought to my proposal. But the phone calls or emails never come, or maybe I should say, rarely come. If I had a dollar for every time I heard, “Oh, I didn’t know you had that in your scope” or “I thought you included that”, I would be on a real nice vacation every year! I’m sure most of us have heard the phrase, “apples to apples”. These days it isn’t anything close to “apples to apples”, but more like “apples to vegetables”.
Know Quality & What You're Getting
To me “apples to apples” isn’t just the scope of work and products used. But the type of bidders involved. It’s also values and culture of a company. How does the company bidding represent themselves in the business community or the community they live in? So many companies use the words “value” and “quality” that we have become jaded to the true meaning of those words. Homeowners and contractors alike need to get back in the “apple” business and hold our tradesman companies to a better standard. The “need it now at this price” standard is common. If price keeps driving the decisions to hire a company, we will just continue to drive the quality companies away and lower our expectations.
You probably had no idea of the trickling effect of not reading proposals or hiring under-qualified companies, on a contractor market. It’s hard to stick to your guns, but those who do stay in business year after year in good times and bad. Always read the fine print. Make sure what you are buying is what you’re going to get. Most professional contractors really are reasonable people and are willing to take the time to thoroughly explain their proposal and answer any questions you may have. So, next time you’re reviewing bids, take the time to read them and don’t hesitate to ask questions to get the information you really need.
