Recently, I was getting an estimate on a fairly small home improvement project.........
Today’s blog is by Margaret Stewart, Director of HR, and Administration at SafeSourcing Inc.
Recently, I was getting an estimate on a fairly small home improvement project when I was surprised with a price I was not expecting. What I thought was going to be about $500-$1000, wound up being quoted at $6000. With nearly 92% of homes in the US having been built before the year 2000, it might not be a surprise that the home improvement industry has remained a huge national industry with increasing sales every year. I, like so many others, fall into this category of having a home that requires some improvement from time to time. This project, however, was no treat.
Typically, before any improvement is done, the first step is identifying the project. Knowing what exactly need repaired or replaced helps to narrow down the goods or services that will be needed. For instance, if you are looking to improve your flooring, knowing if you want to just clean your carpets or get new will help determine your next steps.
Once you know what you want to do in your improvement plan, next you should begin looking for services or supplies that help to accommodate that. For instance, if you want to replace your floors, you may need to either find the product you like so you can do it yourself or you will need to find a company that can help.
Finally, once you know what you want and who you want to help, the next step is getting a quote. This is where you may be in for a surprise like I was. At first, I thought this was just a trick, there is no way this was the real price for my project. That is when I called for more estimates. Turns out the scope of my project was not as clearly defined as I had first thought, so the estimate was covering much more than what was needed. This is especially when a procurement partner could assist.
Just like my home project, businesses and organizations also look for goods and services that they will need. They will look for people that can do the work or provide the good, and they will seek prices. A Procurement partner, like SafeSourcing, can assist in every one of these areas. They have the expertise and experience in the area to know who to look for, find estimates for you, and also make sure your project is clearly defined. Having a procurement partner helping with your project or sourcing needs is definitely a treat, because they know all the tricks and just what to do.
For more information on what the SafeSourcing team can offer you, or on our Risk-Free trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative. We have an entire team ready to assist you today.
References: https://www.zippia.com/advice/home-improvement-industry-statistics/
