We picked the cheapest of three quotes, paid double in six months — where did we go wrong?

i did the same thing apparently... picked 35k ended up at 80k. now i think: i wish id signed a 'fixed scope' contract with a 60k agency from the start. at least the hassle wouldve been gone.

cheap agency = scam. simple. this is how it's done: quote is kept minimal, then money comes out. not legal, but common.

quick fix: if it's ongoing send a written note to the agency. say 'i won't accept extra requests from here on'. make it written. then you can reject future requests in writing.

if you look at the data: when the quote price increases by 50-100%, you usually see the scope inflated by 60%. defining the scope upfront reduces this risk to 10%.

stop now don't give more! tell the agency 'it's done'. let half remain unfinished, but don't pay more!

We need to take it step by step. If you get three different answers on a topic, the question was asked wrong.

Good luck with that.

Let me share my experience. Every "we'll look at it later" in a meeting means unbilled work.

this thread is archived.

Let me summarize what's been said so far. Payment schedules should be tied to project phases, not calendar dates.

When we decide without measuring, we always end up in the same place. Of course, it varies if your situation is different.

I'm writing this so you don't make the same mistake. Don't hesitate to ask; those who don't ask always pay more.

I'm also curious if anyone does it differently.

I've been down this road, let me tell you. Hasty decisions become decisions you have to fix six months later.

Mistakes made on the i picked the cheapest quote and regret it side are usually reversible but expensive. Hope this helps.

Saved. Payment schedules should be tied to project phases, not calendar dates.

If you post the result here, it will help others too.

Just a heads-up. When making a decision, first look at what data you have on hand.

This is my opinion, I'm not claiming it's absolute truth.

i'll try it.

Correct.

You're right. Mistakes made on the i picked the cheapest quote and regret it side are usually reversible but expensive.

Proven by experience.

There's also a measurement aspect to this. Mistakes made on the i picked the cheapest quote and regret it side are usually reversible but expensive.

Any unwritten clause becomes a point of disagreement later, as both sides remember it differently. Hope this helps.

Thanks for posting.