How About We Plan Not to Get Ripped Off in 2024:
It Happened Again: Nothing aggravates me more than seeing good people ripped off by a so-called professional. In the last month I have been contacted by two families looking to get their project done after the first person they hired took off with their money.
For over fifteen years now I have been telling people in our blog, on the main page of our website, at the bottom of my emails and even on the radio the following:
“Knowing how much you want to spend is not a budget it is a spending wish. Knowing how you are going to spend that amount on a per item basis is a budget!”
In this month’s rip offs both sets of homeowners had large lists of things they wanted done and no where near enough money in their budget (spending wish) to get it done. They wrongly assumed the money they were willing to spend was sufficient to accomplish the job. They were wrong by a factor of three or four. Making them a perfect target for a con.
All remodeling projects need at the very least a plan or design. Even a simple paint job requires some planning. Larger projects such as a kitchen or bath require a design or layout and scope of work and specification development. Once you have those things you can put your budget together and adjust where possible.
Doing these things takes time and experience. The kind of experience a true professional brings to the table. It is reasonable to expect them to charge for their services.
“I don’t need all that I already know what and what I want to spend says the future, willing victim.” Or my personal favorite. “I know what things should cost.”
I could write volumes on this. But it’s Christmas I have projects to finish and gifts to ask my sainted wife, Maria, to go shopping for.
P. T. Barnum is often credited for saying “There’s a sucker born every minute” Here are a few warning signs that might help prevent you from becoming a victim.
- If asked for a large down payment to get you on the “schedule” run don’t walk away as fast as you can.
- When asked for a “Design Fee” or “Specification Development Fee” the company should be able to tell you exactly what you will be getting for that and when. The person asking for a fee should be able to explain the process to you that outlines the steps that will lead from that point to successful project completion.
- If the Professional gives you a quote on the spot without a Design and Specification being developed, run.
- If the Professional isn’t willing to give you references you can call – run.
DDS Design Services Policy:
At DDS Design our policy has always been to offer an initial consultation, in the home at no charge. That is where we discuss the Design and Specification Development and what that will cost. I never ask for a check during that meeting. However, we do mention what the fee will be and what they can expect for it. If the client wants to move forward immediately we will go ahead and take the measurements and pictures we need to move forward. In those cases, we hold the check for three days and double check with the client before proceeding.
Thank you for reading. To sign up for our newsletter click here: DDS Design Newsletter
To get started with your project planning you can click on one of the links on this website or email me at info@ddsdesignservices.com
The Ask the Kitchen Guy Blog by Jeff Kida is the property of DDS Design Services, LLC. All rights are reserved by the owner.
