Matt: good call...."they never remember when you do it right, only when you do it wrong". Every good deed needs to be hi-lited to upper management.
Darin: When we interviewed contractors for our project, we did have a low-ball pricing option to consider. Because of the size of the project and the specific and considerable details involved, I had pass on their offer. Thank goodness for the time I spent over the course of 3 - 4 years with different NRCS offices, learning the "pond trade" to the extent that I knew what to look for and expect. When I found the guy we ultimately awarded the work, I knew we were going to be paying more. He walked the walk and talked the talk. My personal test was: can I lay out a specific plan with this guy, never be there to see it executed, and go when it is done to find exactly what was planned? He met this test, I went with him, and he delivered. I am a frugal guy, and my pockets are not deep, but this was way too big a project for me to pinch pennies and take a risk.
