Don't misunderstand me: price is a factor. It's just not the ONLY factor. Paying ANY price, even accepting somethig free of charge, is no bargain if it does not do what you need it to do. No matter how cheap it is.
I've had folks suggest / advocate all manner of totally inappropriate, ineffective 'cheap' solutions to various household problems. "Solutions" so far off the map I was astounded; I'll admit I never thought of them!
Leaking roof? I had someone seriously suggest getting a blue tarp and a bucket of tar. That, IMO, was even less acceptable than spending all winter chasing leaks around the house, as the old roofing failed. Mind you, the tarp was suggested as a LONG TERM solution - not as an emergency fix untill the roofer could get there.
No laundry hook-ups? Just dump the wash water in the back yard. It's gray water, it's 'legal.' Or, if you prefer, dump it into the crawl space- no one will know. (Gee, I wonder why we have a mosquito problem!). Plumbers are 'too expensive.'
Let's just slap vinyl siding over the old asbestos-cement shingles with the lead paint on them. That will make the lead and asbestos issues disappear. It's cheaper than taking all the old stuff off and sending it to the landfill. Heck, the moment I say 'tear off,' I can almost hear the local siding contractors slam down the phone. Heck, some do that when I say "Hardiplank."
I asked a REAL contractor about getting a terrazo floor in my bathroom - and he countered with vinyl tiles. For an open shower! Let's get this straight: I specifically ask for the expensive option - and he offers the cheapest, and totally inadequate. product? Huh? That's like having the BMW salesman offer you a Tata (Indian $5K car).
Small wonder, then, that I came home to find the PoCo taking pictures of my service change. I guess they don't see too many with steel periscopes, additional guy wires, and proper roof jacks. (Yes, SEU is allowed here).
