The other day, I found myself in a familiar situation with a contractor I’ve known for years. He’s a bit ornery—gruff in that I-know-what-I’m-doing-so-don’t-question-me way—but his work is solid. Years ago, he helped finish the basement in my old house, and when I needed some work done again, I called him back. Mostly because he gets the job done: his team shows up on time, they work hard, and the quality speaks for itself.
But here’s the issue: he’ll give you one price at the beginning, and then, like clockwork—add-on after add-on after add-on—suddenly you’re in a whole new tax bracket. Don’t get me wrong; he’s still more affordable than a lot of others. So, I deal with it. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t brace myself every time I asked, “And how much is that going to cost?”
Back when he did my basement, whatever he said went. If he told me, it was $850 more for a new door, I nodded and wrote the check. I didn’t have the time (or energy) to chase down estimates, call in favors from friends, or scroll through endless message boards. I had to trust him.
Fast forward to today. I still trust him—but now, I verify.
Enter ChatGPT.
When he recently quoted me for the same $850 for a door upgrade, I paused. This time, I had some questions. Why so much? Is this typical? What exactly does this door include—gold hinges?
So, I asked ChatGPT.
Same thing when he pitched tile over standard flooring. I asked, “Is this a fair price for materials and labor? What is the standard in my region? What factors should I consider?” And unlike search engines that send you down a black hole of tabs and forums, my GPT filtered all the information quickly. It gave me a ballpark estimate, context for that pricing, and even alternatives I hadn’t considered. Suddenly, I wasn’t just a homeowner—I was an informed buyer.
That’s the shift we’re seeing: tradespeople are no longer just working for customers—they’re working with informed customers. AI doesn’t just hand you a list of links; it helps you think through the issue, like a virtual consultant in your pocket.
What this did, more than anything, was help me negotiate better. I wasn’t nitpicking or haggling (although I do love a good haggle 😊). I wasn’t trying to undercut his work, but I knew when a price made sense—and when it didn’t. So if tile really should cost more than laminate, I understood why. And when something felt off, I could say so—confidently, respectfully, and with receipts.
The result? Less back-and-forth. Fewer eyebrow raises. More mutual respect. He knew I wasn’t just “Googling around.” I had done my homework. And I think it caught him off guard—in the best way. It made both of us better at our jobs—his, to quote honestly; mine, to understand what I was paying for.
Honestly, I didn’t expect to try this. But let’s be real—I’ve gotten good at ChatGPT. I’ve spent time refining the prompts, giving context, and making sure she’s solving the problems that matter. (Yes, she is a ‘she’—because let’s face it, only a woman knows everything. 😉)
So, whether you’re trying to figure out which hotel to book for your next vacation or how much a plumber should charge to fix a leaky faucet—if you provide enough context, ChatGPT can help you cut through the noise and become your own expert.
And isn’t that all we really want?
To be a little bit smarter, a little faster, and a whole lot wiser.
