Want the Best Price for Spray Foam Installation? Don't Choose the Cheapest Contractor (Part 2)

Last week we started taking a look at why choosing the cheapest spray foam installer could actually cost you more in the long run. If you need a refresher you can read the introduction.

Today, let's dive more in detail...

You’d be forgiven for thinking that choosing a spray foam installer is easy because you just have to choose the cheapest one. But you’d still be wrong. That’s because by asking only about price, you’re missing out on crucial details and information that could seriously impact the outcome of a project.

Let’s look at an easy example from the retail world. Let’s say you’re in the market for a new pair of sneakers. So you hop online or browse the circulars looking for stores that carry your brand of choice, browsing for styles you like, while being mindful of the prices at each store. Department Store A has a nice pair you like for $49.99. Department Store B offers the same pair for a little more, at $52.99. Department Store C is offering them for the same price as Department Store A, $49.99, but they’re only available online. And a fourth store, Department Store D, is offering them on sale this week, at a rock-bottom price of $35.99. So which store do you choose? The fourth store, of course, because they’re the cheapest. Right?

So let’s hypothetically buy a pair of sneakers…. 

LESSON #1 – Don’t sacrifice quality for convenience sake

Since you’re already online, you decide to check out Department Store C’s website. You already know that this department store doesn’t offer the sneakers you like at its stores; you have to buy them online. But that’s okay -- $49.99 is a good price; not the cheapest, but comparable with what you’ve seen them offered for elsewhere. The big advantage here is that buying the sneakers online will be quick and easy. The website advertises the sneakers as $49.99, as stated in the circular you read, but first you have to open an online account. That process will take time because you have to fill out a long form that asks a lot of questions, some that don’t even seem relevant. And then you have to choose a username and password to access the site and get approval to buy. Then you realize that you have to pay $10.00 for shipping and handling. And lastly, since the sneakers would be shipping from a warehouse across the country, it’ll take two weeks for you to get them. That $49.99 price suddenly seems like a lot more – not to mention very inconvenient.

Lesson Learned: Beware of anything that appears to be – or promises to be -- quick and easy. In the long run it may not be, or may be fraught with unforeseen circumstances or unadvertised caveats that make the process anything but quick and easy. And while buying a pair of sneakers should be quick and easy, some things simply aren’t. Like having spray foam insulation installed. Spray foam is a highly technical process and can’t be hurried along. Don’t make it a rush to see how fast you can get your project done or how quickly a contractor can come out to do your job. Plan ahead. Remember, the process starts long before an install crew comes out. It starts with a site visit and a proposal, and then proceeds to administrative paperwork and conversations about schedule and availability. The whole process could take weeks, depending on the size and scope of work. Be wary of any contractor who is available right away or at a moment’s notice; they may be trying to cater to your want of getting the job done quickly, but in doing so may be sacrificing necessary paperwork or project management. It could also prove that the contractor isn’t that busy, another possible red flag.

Last-minute projects pop up that you may not have been able to plan for. Most contractors understand that. It’s a reality in the construction industry and most contractors will work with you as best as they can and even try to plan for unplanned events. But sometimes, something that could’ve been planned wasn’t, and then the spray foam installer is asked to jump through hoops because they’re needed ASAP, thus jeopardizing other jobs and other clients. That spells trouble, because it leaves too much room for error and miscommunication. Take your time and get the job done right the first time.

Stay tuned later this week when we look at another example of how going cheap will cost you more in the long run.

Read Lesson #2: Cheaper upfront may be more expensive long-term