08/19/2026
Sometimes the cheaper bid ends up being the most expensive one.
We recently came across an irrigation fitting that had completely separated. The problem wasn’t an expensive part or an unavoidable failure—it appears the PVC connection was installed without primer.
A $5 can of primer could have helped prevent a repair that will now cost the homeowner considerably more.
When comparing bids, it’s easy to focus on the number at the bottom of the page. But two contractors bidding the same project may not actually be providing the same job. Sometimes a lower price comes from cutting corners or using cheaper materials. Other times, the person providing the cheaper bid simply may not have the experience or knowledge to know which products, preparation, and installation methods are necessary for the job to last.
That’s why choosing a contractor based on price alone can be risky. You’re not just paying for materials and labor—you’re paying for knowledge, experience, proper installation practices, and attention to the details you may never see once the project is finished.
At Bluestem Services, we know we won’t always be the cheapest bid—and that’s okay. Our goal is to provide quality work that lasts, not to find ways to shave a few dollars off a project at the expense of the finished product.
Saving a few dollars today isn’t much of a savings if you have to pay someone to fix it tomorrow.
Quality is often found in the little details—and sometimes that detail costs about $5
