Reasons why HO's choose the low baller - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

john elliott · 04-21-2008, 08:47 AM

Reasons why home owners choose the low-baller-

1. They love the low price. The difference between LB’s bid and the next guy will buy them a plasma TV, a vacation, a car, a boat?

2. They know there may be extras, but so will there be with the next guy.

3. They know that some people want more money for their time/work than other people, and as the labour is a large part of any home improvement, somebody being content with less money can make a big difference. Why pay for some guy’s kid’s college fun when you can pay for a few bucks to be sent to Mexico instead?

4. They know the low baller may use cheaper materials, but so may the next guy, and so what anyway, they’ll be out of this house in 5 years anyway, and even if they’re not, they’ll worry about the materials failing then, not now, they might have won the lottery by then.

5. Permits? “ So? Just another scam to get money out of HO’s anyway, Mr L.B. said we didn’t need one for this job so no need to pay extra”

6. Insurance? “No problem, Mr LB said he had all the insurance required. No, he didn’t show me the certificate because it hasn’t come through yet, I’ll catch up with the details later, let’s get this show on the road!”

7. They just love the low price, and will make up any excuses to themselves that they need to make it OK to go with Mr L.B.

Feel free to add other reasons

John

Mike Finley · 04-21-2008, 08:57 AM

I'd say 99% of the time it comes from lack of education and experience on the homeowner's part. It's simply a commodity mindset because they don't know any better. Without experience or education on their part they simply believe that for the most part no matter who they choose (as long as they seem honest and know what they are doing) the project will come out the same no matter who does it. The more generic your services are the more you will face that. The opposite holds true also of course.

SelfContract · 04-21-2008, 08:58 AM

Very good/thorough list. Remind me of the FREE-labor concept of "slaves" (low-ballers) who will work/slave for the owner (HO) for a living only (Food)!

threaderman · 04-21-2008, 09:02 AM

The LB will not say no.You want to do what? Sure,no problem,we can make that work,a sink here,remove a wall there,throw some paint over it,see,it's easy ![not Legal,but do-able].

threaderman · 04-21-2008, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Finley

I'd say 99% of the time it comes from lack of education and experience on the homeowner's part. It's simply a commodity mindset because they don't know any better. Without experience or education on their part they simply believe that for the most part no matter who they choose (as long as they seem honest and know what they are doing) the project will come out the same no matter who does it. The more generic your services are the more you will face that. The opposite holds true also of course.

Ever notice how many ho's and bo's think ignorance is bliss

.

J F · 04-26-2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john elliott

Reasons why home owners choose the low-baller-

1. They love the low price. The difference between LB’s bid and the next guy will buy them a plasma TV, a vacation, a car, a boat?

2. They know there may be extras, but so will there be with the next guy.

3. They know that some people want more money for their time/work than other people, and as the labour is a large part of any home improvement, somebody being content with less money can make a big difference. Why pay for some guy’s kid’s college fun when you can pay for a few bucks to be sent to Mexico instead?

4. They know the low baller may use cheaper materials, but so may the next guy, and so what anyway, they’ll be out of this house in 5 years anyway, and even if they’re not, they’ll worry about the materials failing then, not now, they might have won the lottery by then.

5. Permits? “ So? Just another scam to get money out of HO’s anyway, Mr L.B. said we didn’t need one for this job so no need to pay extra”

6. Insurance? “No problem, Mr LB said he had all the insurance required. No, he didn’t show me the certificate because it hasn’t come through yet, I’ll catch up with the details later, let’s get this show on the road!”

7. They just love the low price, and will make up any excuses to themselves that they need to make it OK to go with Mr L.B.

Feel free to add other reasons

John

I think you absolutely nailed it with #7 John.

J

master mason · 04-26-2008, 12:01 PM

Any smart HO understands this: The HO holds the MONEY! Take the lowballer then pick him apart to get what you want before you pay.YOU CAN'T PLAY AGAINST A STACKED DECK!!!MM

SelfContract · 04-26-2008, 12:48 PM

When it comes to buying-selling issues, any customersdefintely wants to shop for low prices. For example,

1. When anyone shop for PRODUCTS, do "HOs" go to all available stores like SEARS, Walmart, Kmart look/check for cheaper things first BEFORE head to MACYs? Do "contractors" do the same?, or contractors & their family members only go FIRST to expensive stores (MACYs, HECHTs, etc.) for available BEST/QUALITY products only?

2. Similarly, when anyone shop for SERVICES, do "HOs" bid for lower prices from ALL available contractors to see/check who offer better prices first, or ONLY go first for the most expensive as guaranteed way for BEST service? And do all "contractors" first offer the same thing -->> ONLY MY EXPENSIVE PRICES can offer MY BEST SERVICE/EXPERIENCE available & nothing else from ANYONE could be better than me or compatible/negotiable/experience than me?

Think about it gentlement, I have no grudge against HOs, but this/our world NOW is a CHEAP/CRUDE/BARGAINS world of this 21st century (of turmoils & chaos).

When it comes to pricing, anything goes! (Expect Da Unexpected)