Why Less Isn’t Always More

You’re upgrading to high-quality doors. You’re adding the latest and greatest in controlled access. And you’re excited to bring your building into the future. But when you finally start talking to contractors, you realize their quotes are all over the place. You should probably just take the lowest bid…right? Well, not so fast. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

The Lowest Bid Can End Up Being More Expensive

This might sound counterintuitive, but just remember that your up-front cost is different from your total cost. Let’s say you end up going with a cut-rate bid. If their work doesn’t hold up, you’ll end up paying more for maintenance along the way, as the low-quality parts and pieces they used may end up wearing out sooner than planned. This can also take a toll on the doors’ overall longevity—saving a few bucks up front could mean having to pay for a full replacement years earlier than you would’ve if you’d originally gone with a higher bid. So, when you’re thinking about the up-front cost, make sure you’re also thinking about the big-picture cost.

Your Project Might Not Be Their Priority

For a number of reasons, larger contractors might be able to offer you lower prices. But at what cost? How many other projects are they working on? Does your project feel like a priority? And what happens after the doors are installed and you need help? Do you get a real-live, local person on the phone or are you routed to a call center?

When you’re talking to a huge company, you’re often just a number lost in the mix and can tend to fall to the bottom of their list—especially if your project isn’t top dollar. So, if a large company’s bid comes in lowest, that might be an indication of how they’re prioritizing your project.

At ADA, we pride ourselves on forming a relationship with each and every one of our clients, no matter how small their project. We enjoy getting to know you and your property, working with you to find solutions to fit your particular needs. And, should you choose to continue working with us on future projects, we remember those needs, your particular considerations, and your likes and dislikes. This is what a relationship with your door contractor should be like.

Their Bid Might Leave a Few Things Out

Are all of your needs reflected in the contractor’s scope of work? Some places don’t offer a full range of services, and they don’t always call that to your attention. Is the contractor selling a product because it’s what they offer, or do they provide solutions based on your needs? When you look at their scope of work, they might have left out certain elements, either by accident or on purpose. Make sure they’re meeting each of your needs—and more importantly—that they’ve put that commitment in writing. Go through every single proposal with a fine-tooth comb.

They Might End Up Charging You a Higher Price

The majority of our industry is honest and hardworking, and we’re proud to be a part of it. But unfortunately, some places put in a low bid just to win your business. And once the project is underway, they start hitting you with hidden fees and add-ons. They might claim the project is more complex than they’d realized. Or they might try to blame you for leaving out important information. But at the end of the day, it’s possible they were always planning to tell you one price and charge you another.

When it’s time to upgrade your doors and access—let’s be honest—that cut-rate bid might seem pretty tempting. But is it actually a great deal? Or is it a red flag? ADA is proud to maintain one of the best reputations for quality and customer service in the industry. We may not always come in as the lowest bid, but you can always count on the fact that our doors and service are the best they can be. As one of our team members is fond of saying, “we feed our families by doing the job right the first time.”

Give us a call today for a fair, honest quote!