The typical chain reaction when low price is the only consideration in a construction project:

• Cheap price
• Quality cuts
• Supervision cuts
• Inspection cuts
• Cheap work
• Customer dissatisfaction
• Disputes
• Slow pay
• No pay
• Litigation
• Nobody wins but the lawyers!

 The new priorities of an intelligent buyer of construction services:

1. Quality
2. Function
3. Completion date
4. Aesthetics
5. Compliance with regulations
6. Effective safety procedures
7. Maintenance cost
8. Energy cost
9. Minimum stress
10. Initial cost

 Choosing a Contractor: A Checklist

• Look at both recent and past jobs.
• Talk to past customers.
• Check credit history and financial stability.
• Check payment reputation.
• Check safety record.
• Check litigation history.
• Meet with owners and the key employees
  who will be managing your job.
• Look at job control techniques.
• Check current workload; can they really handle your job?
• Can you communicate openly with this contractor?  

Advice Based on 21 Years in Construction

Choose your contractor carefully. You will live with the results of your decision for a long time.