With the weather warming up, homeowners are ready to start spending more time in their outdoor living spaces. For contractors and outdoor living professionals, this means their schedules are also about to heat up. Demand continues to increase, and evidence from the past two years indicates there will be no slowing down.
As we approach these busy seasons — knowing many contractors are already booked well in advance — it is important to step back and evaluate tools and processes to ensure you have what your team needs to complete projects correctly with maximum efficiency.
Belgard
Take Customers Inside their Project
The ability to show a customer a visual representation of their design bolsters the customer journey and gives you a competitive edge. It is often hard for homeowners to visualize their space based on design sketches alone. Design programs that allow you to walk the customer through photorealistic renders of the property and proposed design can help you better sell the idea and give the customer a glimpse at how they will live inside the space. Some programs also are adding a virtual reality component, making the visualization process even more exciting and enticing for homeowners.
This style of design tool is a great way to encourage homeowners to move forward with their project. It also helps minimize and streamline the process of revising design concepts, given the homeowner can see what the space will look like once completed. To decrease any fees for your business, check with vendor partners to see if they offer any programs or incentives for using these services. Many will offer a price reduction or waive fees if you are part of a preferred network.
Offer the Right Product Selections
Both you and your customers want to minimize the time needed to complete outdoor living projects. More time for you means the ability and flexibility to take on more work, and more time for the customer equals less disruption and a fully-functional outdoor space they can enjoy quicker. Selecting the right products is key to enhancing efficiency and there are more options on the market today that can help you tackle projects quickly.
Modular hardscape systems offer more design options and faster, easier installation. For projects like outdoor kitchens and fire features, you can utilize modular systems that are shipped in section that easily fit together with the right installation equipment, such as a skid loader. Modular hardscapes also align with current homeowner trends, as customers today — especially in the younger demographic — favor the clean lines and modern aesthetic offered by these products.
Find the Right Partners
While we usually want to do it all, there are times when we need to bring in a partner to help complete the job. You may need assistance getting the right lighting, decking materials or accessory products to bring your customer’s dream project to life. By partnering with other businesses or subcontractors, you can work out agreements that are profitable for all parties. Forging these partnerships makes sourcing products, such as outdoor kitchen accessories, easier – and opens the door for the companies to partner on other projects in the future.
Belgard
Invest in Training Your Team
Though it can be hard to try to squeeze in additional training during busy season, it’s always beneficial to see what courses and sessions are available to help your business and your crew grow. Look into training events around your area where team members can learn new skills, as well as network with other industry professionals. There also are online options where you and your team can find helpful installation videos about new products and techniques, which will come in handy as you add more jobs to your list, making you all more knowledgeable and efficient.
As schedules get busier, take stock of your current strategies, products and equipment to see if there are ways you can boost efficiency. It may seem impossible during peak times to assess where you need to make changes, but it always pays off in the long run – leading you to more projects and increased revenue.
