The Most Expensive Lesson I Ever Learned About Vendors

In this episode of Growing Empires, Jennifer De Jesus shares two costly vendor experiences that changed how she manages property repairs and construction projects.

Jennifer recounts an emergency plumbing repair that exceeded its authorized spending limit and a renovation contractor who abandoned a project after receiving an initial payment. She explains how these situations exposed the risks of unclear vendor authority, choosing contractors based solely on price, and paying too much before work is completed.

The episode outlines practical ways to reduce these risks, including preventative inspections, stronger vendor relationships, in-house maintenance teams, milestone-based payments, and contracts with clear performance and delay provisions. Ultimately, Jennifer shows how careful vendor selection and stronger operational controls can protect an investment’s budget, timeline, and profitability.