When Cheap Becomes Costly: Why Choosing the Lowest Bid Can Set You Back
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At TenM, we’ve seen a lot over the years. Walked a lot of job sites, solved a lot of problems, and every so often, we get a call to help finish a project, only to realize we have to start from scratch. We were recently brought into a hospitality project in a beautiful location with a great vision and strong investment. We originally came on for the finished ceilings, but when another contractor fell short, we stepped up to handle the complete interior finish carpentry package.
This isn’t about calling out other contractors, that’s not our style. But we do want to share what we’ve learned from situations like this, in hopes it saves another owner from the same frustration.
1. If It’s Not Built Right the First Time, You’ll Pay Twice
There’s a reason you fall in love with a design. You have a vision and you know what “done right” looks like. Unfortunately, hiring the cheapest contractor often means compromising that vision. Corners get cut, scope gaps get ignored, quality gets sacrificed for speed or price.
2. Your Project Deserves to Be a Priority
It’s a simple truth in construction: the cheapest contractor isn’t always the most available or the most responsive. When a team is stretched thin or juggling too many jobs, something’s bound to slip.
3. Experience is a Safety Net
Building isn’t always straightforward. Sometimes you open up a wall and find a surprise. Or realize that what’s on paper doesn’t quite match real-world conditions. That’s when experience makes all the difference.
In plenty of sites, we spotted issues early, adjusted scopes, and kept the build moving. Years of boots-on-the-ground experience means we know how to adapt without sacrificing quality.
4. Multi-Trade Teams Solve Problems Faster
During construction, one mistake can trigger a chain reaction. A framing error can delay roofing. A siding misalignment can throw off window installs. If trades don’t talk, problems multiply.
That’s why we built TenM to be multi-trade. Our crews coordinate across framing, roofing, siding, windows, and decks. If something’s off, we don’t pass it down the line. We handle it.
So, What’s the Takeaway?
It doesn't matter the size of the project, the wrong contractor can fail on a custom home, apartment complex, multifamily development, or single-family house. When you chase the lowest bid, you risk sacrificing quality, coordination, and accountability at every level.
Choosing a contractor shouldn’t come down to who can give you the lowest number. It should come down to who can deliver your project the way it’s meant to be built with precision, care, and reliability.
Cheap may look good on a bid sheet, but it rarely feels good on-site when walls start coming down again. At TenM, we don’t aim to be the cheapest. We aim to be the team you only have to call once.
Let’s Build it Right, From the Start
If you’re planning a project and want to make sure it’s done right the first time, we’re here to talk. No pressure. No pitch. Just an honest conversation about what it takes to bring your vision to life and what it costs to protect it.
View Our Finished Projects
Luxury Resort Exterior Shell & Interior Details
Residential Kitchen Renovation