Sometimes we meet with prospective customers who have tried to cut costs by using a cheap contractor. They tell us about their experiences of structures failing, of not being able to get a builder back to make warranty repairs, or of builders getting in too deep on a project they aren’t able to complete and just disappearing. Here are a couple of recent experiences.
Mrs. Green (not her real name) recently asked Archadeck of Central SC for a quote to repair/replace a raised stone patio that someone else had built which was failing. The foundation was eroding, and the side walls were actually falling down. Stones in the patio were sinking. We gave her a quote that was double what she had originally paid to have it built. She doesn’t want to spend that money to have it done right, but she also doesn’t want to hire another unqualified contractor like she did the first time. She is between the proverbial rock and a hard place.
Another customer, Mrs. White (again an alias), had us quote building a screen porch with a stone fireplace. The project came in around $35,000 and she hired another contractor for less money. A couple of months later, she called us asking us for a quote to undo the work of the other contractor and do the job right. Our price went up from our original quote because of the extensive demolition costs. Mrs. White hired us to do the work, and was very pleased when we were finished with the quality of the work and the quality of the construction experience. Unfortunately, whatever she paid the other contractor was an expensive lesson.
We often hear that Archadeck is expensive. We spend a lot of time and energy trying to keep our costs down so we won’t be too expensive. But there are things we won’t do. We won’t build with cheaper materials that either look bad or won’t perform well for the life of your project. We won’t use suppliers who frequently deliver damaged products to your home causing construction delays, or who leave ruts in your yard when they make a delivery, or who don’t deliver products on time to the job site. We won’t use un-proven subcontractors to save a buck. We won’t use uninsured subcontractors. We won’t give up having an office where you can come see your materials choices and where you can always reach a staff member on the phone. We won’t cut back on staff to manage your job, to make sure that the project is well planned, that permits are obtained, and that you are kept informed about what is going on at your job. And we won’t be hard to find if you have a warranty claim.
If these things are not important to you then maybe Archadeck of Central SC isn’t the right choice to do your project. That’s OK – we aren’t for everybody. But remember, we are talking about your home – the place where you will host your friends and family and where you experience some of the best times of your life. Do you really want to skimp on the quality of your biggest investment and the place where you will spend most of your leisure time?
If your investment in your home is important to you and you want an outdoor living space you can be proud of, call us to set up a free design consultation visit and let’s get started together. You can reach us by phone at (803) 784-1566.
The Archadeck of Central SC team – Mike Reu, Marshall Reu and Tucker Reu.
