What’s the first thing that
crosses a business owner’s mind when a tender is lost?
Most of us have been there… and
the first thought is usually:
💭 “Pay
peanuts, you get monkeys.”
It’s a saying that perfectly captures the frustration — the hours spent estimating, the optimism, the disappointment when the job slips away.
🔖But here’s the truth: not every job is meant for you.
Do we ever really know how low the
winning bid went? Rarely.
Are there companies better suited for that particular scope? Probably.
Do all businesses have the same overheads, experience, or margin expectations?
Definitely not.
And how often do clients come
back, asking you to rectify poor workmanship from the job you priced correctly
but lost? Not as often as you’d think — pride, cost, or embarrassment usually
keep them quiet. But the damage is done.
So how do those jobs get finished,
and those companies stay afloat?
Simple answer: Not your problem.
Because to make it your problem,
the pay must match the effort you know is fair and right.
At On Facades, we believe
that fair play in construction isn’t about chasing every
tender — it’s about knowing your worth, valuing your people, and ensuring they
have the time and support to deliver safely and with pride.
There will always be someone
faster, cheaper, or hungrier for a win. But experience teaches us that speed
and shortcuts come at a price — fatigue, stress, corner-cutting, and burnout.
None of that builds a sustainable business or a quality façade.
So instead of dwelling on what
didn’t go your way, take it as feedback. Learn, adjust, and prepare for the
next one. Because the jobs truly worth winning are the ones that let your team
work safely, get home on time, and come back on every tomorrow to support your
company, proud of what they built.
💡 In the end,
fair pay sustains good trades, good trades deliver quality, and quality keeps
our industry strong.
