03/04/2026
There are basically three types of clients most contractors run into:
1️⃣ The Value Client
These people:
• Understand quality work costs money
• Care about fixing the problem the right way
• Don’t want to deal with the issue twice
With them, you keep your full price. They’re paying for peace of mind and professionalism.
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2️⃣ The Budget Client
These homeowners:
• Want the work done
• Need help making the project fit their budget
Here you can value engineer the job slightly without sacrificing quality. For example:
• Simpler tile layout
• Standard materials
• Smaller scope
You’re still protecting your margin.
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3️⃣ The Cheap Client (Danger Zone)
These are the people who:
• Question every line item
• Compare you to the “$3,500 handyman quote”
• Try to negotiate aggressively
Experienced contractors don’t lower price much for them because they are usually the most stressful clients.
Sometimes the best move is simply:
“I might not be the right contractor for this project.”
