Union vs. Non-Union Crew on a Tight Budget: How Do You Decide?

Hey everyone, Rohan Kapoor here. I’m currently prepping for a narrative short, pretty ambitious script, and as usual, the budget is tighter than a drum. I'm looking at everything from cutting lens rental days for my ALEXA 35 to using fewer SkyPanel X units. One area consistently brought up for cost savings is crew. I’ve worked with excellent non-union folks who've impressed me, and I’ve certainly appreciated the seasoned efficiency of union teams on bigger projects.

My current scenario involves a fair amount of complex lighting setups and some tricky camera moves. I'm trying to decide if the cost savings of a non-union crew (who might need a bit more finessing or take longer) really pan out in the long run, especially compared to a union team that often brings a level of expertise that can speed things up and avoid costly re-shoots. I've been experimenting with kit swaps, like potentially bringing in a C70 for some B-cam work instead of a second ALEXA Mini, but the crew question feels more fundamental to the day-to-day. How do you all weigh the pros and cons of union vs. non-union when every dollar counts but quality can’t be compromised?