In a Market Like This, Buy Once and Buy Right

Everything costs more right now—labour, materials, trades, permits. We’re all feeling it. So it’s natural for people to start looking for ways to cut back or get things done “for now” with the intention of upgrading later.

But the truth is, temporary solutions have a funny way of sticking around longer than planned. And what starts out as a quick fix often turns into a long-term headache.

We’ve seen it again and again—people go with a lower bid thinking they’re being smart with the budget, only to end up spending more to fix or replace it down the road. Whether it’s cabinets that chip after a year, trim that warps with the seasons, or drawers that stop aligning properly—cheap shows up, eventually.

The Illusion of a “Good Deal”

Some quotes come in suspiciously low. On paper, they look appealing. But what’s not written down is where the cuts are being made—less prep, lower-grade materials, rushed labour. Those savings usually come at the cost of performance and durability.

And here’s the kicker: when that work starts failing, the original team is long gone, and now you’re paying someone else to take it apart and redo it. So that lower number on the quote? It’s often just the first of many.

Short-Term Thinking, Long-Term Costs

We recently worked with a client who had redone their kitchen just five years earlier with a different contractor. The materials looked fine at first, but weren’t sealed properly. The panels began peeling. Hinges loosened. Moisture warped the boxes. They ended up gutting the whole thing and starting over.

That’s not uncommon. The millwork we installed for a commercial client 15 years ago still works and looks the way it should. Solid materials, thoughtful detailing, and proper finishing don’t age the same way shortcuts do.

Protecting the Investment You’re Already Making

If you’re renovating a home, building a new space, or designing something custom—chances are, you’re already investing time, energy, and money. Going with quality means you’re protecting that investment. You’re not just paying for the materia

ls and labour—you’re paying for peace of mind.

Yes, doing it right may cost more up front. But it usually saves you from having to do it again. You get a finished product you can rely on—not one you have to babysit or patch up in a year or two.

Buy Once. Live With It Every Day.

At Kategorie1, we don’t sell fluff or false promises. We build things the right way because we know you’ll be living with the results long after the install team leaves. Quality isn’t just about what you see—it’s about how it performs when the project is finished, the clients have moved in, and the real test begins: everyday life.