Site Logo

Life of an Architect

  • Podcast
  • about me
  • Questions / Contact
  • F. A. Q.
  • Do you want to be an Architect?
  • Architecture Books+
You are here: Home / Life in General / John Ruskin: Common Law of Business Balance

John Ruskin:
Common Law of Business Balance

June 21, 2012 by Bob Borson 31 Comments

I stumbled upon a quote the other day that really resonated with me – although I had thought through it many times before, I hadn’t ever heard or read it put so succinctly. It is called “The Common Law of Business Balance” which is a meditation on price and it is attributed to John Ruskin – a 19th century English poet, fervent art critic, and socialist.

John Ruskin

It reads as follows:

“There is hardly anything in the world that someone cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price alone are that person’s lawful prey. It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money — that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot — it can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.”

This is a classic quote on the possible folly of automatically choosing low-cost as the best way to make a purchase decision. It appeals to those who believe, or who want to persuade others to believe, that price is a possible indicator of quality. While this is not always true, it does align with my way of thinking simply because I tend to see it played out this way on the job site. For the most part (and there are exceptions to the rule just as there are examples that set the rule) the really good contractors tend to work with really good sub-contractors and the combination of these two things generally translates into a superior product – which typically translates into a more expensive product.

What I try to talk about with my friends and clients is about finding the appropriate balance between product and cost – which would be the value. If you don’t appreciate the more expensive item, or can’t tell the difference between something and its less expensive alternative,  how can there be value in paying for it? The only time this really becomes an issue is when someone wants to pay for the cheaper alternative but expects the quality level to remain unchanged. It simply doesn’t work out when the expectations don’t align with the associative cost.

Just something to think about.

Bob signature FAIA

 

even better stuff from Life of an Architect

Can you steal design?

Why Architects should Blog

Did you really think this through? 2016

Reign In Spain - Madrid day one

AEC Cares - projectChicago

Residential Construction Contracts: Cost Plus Fee

EP 172: A Week in the Life of an Architect

Year in Review – LOAA 2010 Most Popular Posts

2012 Life of an Architect Playhouse Design - the 'Dugout'
Moving a large tree ... feels good

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Filed Under: Life in General, Observations Tagged With: quotes, what?

Search Life of an Architect

Subscribe to Podcast

Apple PodcastsSpotifyAndroidiHeartRadioby EmailTuneInRSS

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Apparel for Architects

T-Shirts for Architects - Bob Borson

Support for Advice or Guidance - or if you simply want to show appreciation for the content produced on this site

Thanks!
Other Amount
Project Reference or Support for Questions Answered:

Trending on Life of an Architect

Ten Cathedrals to see before you die
Architectural Graphics 101 - Symbols
Architectural Graphics 101 - Reflected Ceiling Plans
Architectural Graphics 101 - Window Schedules
Architectural Graphics 101: Cover Sheet
Architectural Graphics 101 - Wall Types
Architectural Graphics 101: Finish Schedules
Architectural Graphics 101 - Title Blocks
Do you want to be an Architect?
Ep 99: Construction Drawings

My “Serious” Disclaimer

The complimentary advice provided on ‘Life of an Architect’ is based on an abbreviated examination of the minimal facts given, not the typical extensive (and sometimes exhaustive) analysis I conduct when working with my clients. Therefore, anything you read on this site is not a substitute for actually working with me. Following my casual advice is at your own peril … if you want my undivided attention, I would recommend hiring me. Cheers.

Pages

  • Comment Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Architecture Books+
  • about me
  • Questions?
  • F. A. Q.
  • Do you want to be an Architect?
  • Podcast

Life of an Architect | Bob Borson

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Archives of Awesomeness

Copyright © 2025 Life of an Architect

 

Loading Comments...