Too Expensive?

I recently received an email from a prospective client saying that the quote I had provided "was more than they had budgeted for" and that they had "found another Architect who could do the plans for less" While this didn't surprise me (and to be honest I don't think I was the right Architect for the Job) it did start me thinking...

You get what you pay for is a common adage. People instinctively know that a car priced at £20,000 is likely to offer more than one priced at £10,000, both in terms of features and in status. Clothes are another good example, cheap clothes invariably look cheap and expensive clothes are more likely to be well made and be of quality materials. It's not rocket science - a cheap product or service will still have to provide the company with some profit so corners will have to be cut.

It surprises me that people would want to save a few quid (even a few thousand pounds) when dealing with their biggest asset - their house! A good Architect, who is well paid, will easily make up the deficit by providing clever and imaginative design solutions. I will leave you with a quote from John Ruskin which I think illustrates my point very well.

"There is nothing in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and he who considers price only is that man's lawful prey."

It's freezing!

I am a typical Scotsman (if the media is to be believed) I would rather be a bit cold than put on the heating and pay. As I type this I am jiggling about, trying to keep my hands and feet warm, constant cups of coffee help somewhat but I am still cold.

The problem, other than my thrifty sensibility, is that I live in a 1930's house with mass stone walls and no insulation. When these houses were built, coal would have been the primary fuel and a fire would have burned all day, every day keeping the base temperature of the house at a constant level. As the house would have been occupied for the majority of the day, there would have been very little need for a 'quick fix' as far as heating is concerned.

Freetime and lack of it would also have played a part in the comfort of the householder. Women, as the daytime occupants (pre-enlightenment) would have had very little 'me-time' and would have been constantly active. Without amazing domestic appliances, it would have been movement that kept them warm.

We can't and shouldn't go back to the old days, times have changed, the make-up of the family has changed and the way we use our homes has changed. Instead, we should look for a solution:

Insulation is the best single thing you can do to improve your house, double glazing has a very long return time and extra heating just isn't an option. Many of the gas and electric companies are duty bound to assist you in decreasing your energy needs. As part of this they will subsidise loft and cavity wall insulation (costing you around £300). Or you can do it yourself? The SBSA (Scottish building standards agency) produce documents which advise householders on the best way to reduce energy use and the most efficient means to introduce insulation.

Don't be left in the cold.