Everybody Thinks They’re An Expert – Remembering the Days Before Google

Everybody Thinks They’re An Expert – Remembering the Days Before Google

Tips & How-to April 25, 2022

There was a time when contractors and consultants, especially in our field, considered their experience and knowledge to be a competitive advantage. If you had a question, we had the answer. That’s why you called us. But the days of the “old wise owl” are coming to an end. With search engines at our fingertips almost 24/7, we can instantly look up the answer to any question that comes to mind. Nowadays, everybody thinks they’re an expert.

In the old days, a customer could ask several contractors for their opinions and trust the most intelligent and logical response. Now, they often only trust an independent third-party such as an architect, engineer, or consultant. But what happens when that third party is simply an “internet expert?” Means they read a bunch of stuff online, formed an opinion, and disagree with the expert contractor.

In the world of construction, the answers are rarely – if ever – black and white. Yes, it helps to have an education and background knowledge of what’s going on. But the same solution does not apply to every situation. You can put the same exact building on opposite sides of the street and have an entirely different set of issues. Every project is different, whether you’re building a brand new building or fixing issues on an existing one.

So sure, you might be able to find an answer to your problem online. But that doesn’t mean it’s the only answer – and it certainly doesn’t mean it’s the right answer. When you’re faced with questions about your building, make sure that your partner is a proven expert in the field. If you would like to understand more about how to determine whether or not you are in good hands, please contact Trisco Construction Services at 419-339-9912. We would be happy to share some information about how to qualify your candidates.