Having just relocated from city to a provincial , (even into my 60’s) I have learnt some important lessons.
The property we brought three years ago, needed some modernisation and so we went about the process of getting quotes etc.
We wanted to try and support locally owned and operated businesses. This a great in theory but can pose some challenges in practice.
We approached a local bathroom renovations specialist and a local franchise operator, however, neither were interested. After additional research we found another franchise operator and a local builder.
We requested quotes from both. Using the local builder came with some challenges.
Assembling the overall cost meant we had to be visited by the electrician, plumber, tiler and of course the builder. That took time. Then when the final quote came in, some things had been recorded differently to what was discussed with the respective tradies.
Again, a time delay and time we could spend doing other things.
The renovation specialist was a one man one call scenario.
However, we settled on using the local tradies for a few reasons.
The builder came to meet with us on site far better prepared than the franchise operator. (The builder had gone to the council and got a plan of the house to see if there were going to be any hidden issues that weren’t obvious.)
The other tradies weren’t afraid to ask us WHY?. They also gave us some key recommendations that ultimately were going to give us a better outcome. Not to mention, the combined price was much closer to our budget.
So what are the lessons here?
Working with individuals with specific skils is fine, but it can consume more of your time that you had planned. It can also take longer than expected.
However, the flip, side you don’t want to work with an order taker or someone that just wants to deliver what you ask for.
On many occasions people find that they ‘don’t know what we don’t know’. If you deal with the order taker who just wants to satisfy you, you will never know what you may have missed.
On this occasion time and the WHY question ended up being our friend.
Whether you are doing a home renovation, making a major purchase or seeking financial planning advice you need to ask the hard questions of yourself.
Do I want to know what I don’t know?
Am I OK being asked the ‘Why’ or the hard questions?
Will I accept the advice even if I don’t like what I hear?
If you have faith in the individual, then have trust in their professional opinion.
You would expect the same if the situation was reversed.