Today’s homeowner has more than ever to worry about, wanting certainty that their investment will pay off. The expected challenges of remodeling are more complex than ever, thanks to inflation and rising material costs on top of local and global uncertainty. However, in spite of these pressures, spending on home improvement remains strong. This is particularly evident for kitchen and bathroom remodeling, which can be expensive renovations.
There has never been a more important time to level up your business to meet the needs and demands of today’s client.
To assure homeowners about investing in their spaces, it's important to level up your business to meet the needs and demands of today’s client. Here are four key areas you can focus on to help assure clients about investing in their spaces that can help create greater success for your business.
Build Trust with Google Reviews
Like it or not, homeowners read reviews. The more they spend and the higher the risk, the more likely they are to do even more research online to affirm the decision they are making.
Having a strategy for getting reviews starts with making sure you create and control your own Google My Business profile. From there, the only thing stopping you is you asking your best customers to write reviews of their experience with you for others to see. You know who they are, and are likely already formulating the names in your head of who you can ask.
Just as important as getting reviews? Replying to each one of them. Not only does it show you are professional, it also highlights your commitment to great customer service, sending a clear message that you’re responsive and responsible, two critical factors to homeowners when considering design and remodeling professionals. Another key tip? Continually asking for reviews. A steady flow of reviews indicates relevance to Google, which helps with the online visibility of your work as well.
Share your work online:
We all love pictures. Why would we read something when we can see it in pictures, or video for that matter? You are doing this work every day, but are you capturing it?
Showing your work helps clients visualize their own project in ways that words never could. It might also help your clients articulate their own wants and needs more clearly, or give you a reference to point to that might demonstrate the solution they are looking for.
Not only can these be valuable to your website, but they can also become core assets in your next marketing campaign, enhance your Google My Business profile as well as social media platforms you are on. Simple before and afters do tremendously on visual platforms like Instagram. And don’t worry about the quality of the befores… the worse the before, the better the after’s look!
Educate on Home Value and ROI:
The question everyone wants to know never changes: How much is this going to cost? Regardless of how excited they get, it comes back to the same question every time. In its simplest terms, remodeling spending is guided by the home value, with a spend of 5% to 10% of the current value. Ultimately, how much a customer spends is up to them.
Taking a customer-centric approach means educating homeowners on understanding their home value and the typical return on investment (ROI), helping them make more informed and confident decisions. spending decisions, both on total spend and where to allocate that spending. According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), studies show that cabinets and hardware make up close to a third of your total cost (29%), followed by installation, appliances, and countertops. For bathroom remodeling, NKBA studies show that installation (20%) is the largest cost of the project, followed closely by cabinets and hardware, fixtures, faucets, and plumbing.
What experience and insight do you have from the work you do and areas that you work in that could help your clients make more educated decisions? While you can’t tell them exactly who spent what, sharing your expertise on products or design solutions in the area helps educate your clients to make the best decision possible for them and their home.
Develop Expertise on Design and Trends:
As a professional, staying up to date on current trends in products and guidelines for design is essential. From aging-in-place and universal design needs to advances in smart technology and eco-friendly materials and sustainable design, the need and opportunities to learn have never been greater.
Whether it is on your own, or through important industry organizations like the NKBA, Professional Remodelers Organization (PRO), or others, making time to educate and stay up-to-date benefits you and every current and future client you engage with. Even making a little bit of time each month, from one to four hours, adds up quickly in knowledge and experience or a certification you want to pursue.
Regardless of what’s happening locally and globally, today’s client needs more from the businesses they work with. Level up your own business by strengthening your online reputation and presence, demonstrating your understanding of home value and return on investment, and developing your expertise in design and trends. Delivering strong customer service alongside quality craftsmanship not only sets successful businesses apart—it also builds long-term customer loyalty that can lead to repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.
This is especially important when you consider how much the kitchen and bath remodeling industry is constantly transforming. By embracing these strategies, professionals create more opportunities to deliver superior results.
Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Reico Kitchen & Bath offers expert guidance and business partnering solutions to help you meet the changing demands of clients. Contact us today to meet and ensure your business is positioned strong for remodeling kitchens, bathrooms, and more throughout the home.
