I am not a big fan of house flipping shows. I see them a lot because every time I turn on a tv in my home the default channel seems to be HGTV. Flip or Flop, Fixer Upper, etc…they all have the same thing in common…Clients are convinced by the show host to choose a house that shows promise, add a budget both parties deem “reasonable”, and answer the only important question of the show: “Are you ready to see your new home?”
I’m fascinated with the way these shows have reset the project budgeting process for flipping projects. In the old days clients would layout a list of desires for their new home and shop it among several reputable contractor for a total project cost. The low bidder typically won and the contractor would bear all the risk of the project. The contractors’ success primarily depended on how well they could estimate project costs and adhere to the project plan. Subsequently, the client had no room for informal modifications to the project because the project was locked up in a solid specification. This approach pits contractor against client in a negotiation (adversarial relationship).
Fast forward to today, the process now works like this: Contractors work with clients to set a budget for the overall project then provide options to meet client needs based on the budget. The team works together to get the desired results. For example, the client may want to replace counter tops. Based on the budget, the contractor may recommend granite, the $7,000 option, or plastic laminate for $3,000. This approach to budgeting gives both parties room to work together in finding a suitable solution while keeping the project on budget and meeting functional requirements (partnership).
I really like this approach to building out technology projects. I can work with the client to show them possibilities that meet their needs while not feeling like I have to find the cheapest solution to win the job. The client gets options to upgrade in areas that are more important to their everyday need and may compromise in areas that are less frequently used. This approach gives us a partnership in the project that will meet both our needs, a true win-win.