“I Know a Guy Who Can Do It Cheaper” — What That Really Means

“I Know a Guy Who Can Do It Cheaper” — What That Really Means

Jeff Aronson

Everyone’s heard it.

“I know a guy who can do it cheaper.”

And sometimes that’s true.

The real question is:

What are you actually getting for that price?

 

Cheap Work Isn’t Random

Lower cost usually comes from cutting something out of the process.

That could be:

  • Proper measuring and design work
  • Quality materials
  • Time spent fitting and refining
  • Proper prep and cleaning
  • Correct welding procedures

 

What this means:
You’re not paying less for the same thing. You’re paying less because something is missing.

 

Design and Fitment Matter

Before anything is welded, it has to be designed and laid out correctly.

We use:

  • Proper measuring tools
  • Accurate layout and fitment processes
  • Real planning, not guesswork

If someone is skipping this step, it shows up later as:

  • Poor fitment
  • Clearance issues
  • Parts that don’t line up or function properly

 

Materials: Real vs “Close Enough”

Not all stainless, aluminum, or steel is the same.

We use:

  • Verified materials
  • Proper alloys like 304 and 321 stainless
  • Consistent, high-quality tubing

Lower-cost work often uses:

  • Inconsistent or unknown materials
  • Lower-grade imports with poor quality control

 

What this means:
You may not see the difference immediately, but you’ll deal with it later.

 

Prep Work (Where Most Corners Get Cut)

Good welding starts before the arc ever lights.

Proper prep includes:

  • Cleaning all surfaces
  • Removing contamination
  • Proper fit-up and alignment

Skipping prep leads to:

  • Weak welds
  • Contamination
  • Inconsistent results

 

What this means:
If prep is rushed, the weld is compromised before it even starts.

 

Back Purging Stainless (This Is a Big One)

Let’s talk about something most people never see.

When welding stainless properly, the inside of the weld must be protected with argon gas. This is called back purging.

Without it, the inside of the weld oxidizes and forms what’s called “sugaring.”

  • Sugaring = contamination and weakened structure
  • It restricts airflow
  • It reduces corrosion resistance
  • It leads to premature failure

 

The standard:
The inside of a stainless weld should look like the outside, clean and controlled.

If it doesn’t, it wasn’t done correctly.

And no, your buddy with a MIG welder isn’t back purging stainless. That’s just reality.

 

Why Stainless Welding Costs More

There’s a reason stainless work isn’t cheap.

  • High-quality stainless material costs more
  • True 304 and 321 alloys built to proper specifications aren’t cheap
  • TIG welding takes significantly more time and skill
  • Argon consumption is much higher

For comparison:

  • Mild steel / aluminum: ~10–15 CFH argon
  • Stainless TIG: ~40–50 CFH
  • Back purging: additional ~5–10 CFH

 

What this means:
You’re paying for materials, process, and time, not just the final product.

 

Serviceability and Function

A part isn’t just judged by how it looks installed.

We consider:

  • Can it be removed easily?
  • Does it block access to other components?
  • Does it affect maintenance?
  • Does it actually improve performance?

Cheap work often ignores all of this.

 

What this means:
You end up paying more later in labor, frustration, and rework.

 

Time Is the Difference

A properly built part takes time.

  • Measuring
  • Fitting
  • Cleaning
  • Welding
  • Refining

There are hours in something that looks simple when it’s done correctly.

 

Why We Do It This Way

At Aronson Racing Lab, we don’t cut corners.

You’re not paying us because we’re the cheapest option.

You’re paying us because:

  • We take the time to do it right
  • We use the right materials
  • We follow the right process

Even if that means we spend more time than planned or lose money on a job, the standard doesn’t change.

Doing it right matters more than squeezing every dollar out of a job.

 

Trust Is Earned

Our customers don’t question how or why we do things.

Not because they don’t care, but because they trust the process.

That trust comes from:

  • Consistency
  • Transparency
  • Results over time

They know when their vehicle leaves here, it’s done the right way.

 

The Bottom Line

You can always find someone cheaper.

What you can’t always find is:

  • Proper design
  • Correct materials
  • Clean welds inside and out
  • Long-term reliability
  •  

At Aronson Racing Lab, we build things the right way, even when it takes more time and costs more to do it.

 

Because in the end, that’s what actually lasts.

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