Still selling a $150,000 remodel with a handshake and a few sample boards?
That works – but imagine walking into the first client meeting with a high resolution rendering featuring six design variations, ready to go. With visuals like that, you’re not just selling the vision, you’re helping clients say “yes” faster.
Welcome to the visual economy, where Pinterest boards pack more influence than blueprints and HGTV has trained every homeowner to expect a full transformation in 30 minutes or less.
To discuss what these changing consumer expectations mean for you, Hover product manager (and former architect) Levi Schoenfeld, took the stage at Design and Construction Week. Together with Hover customer and custom builder Shannon Cook, On-Site Builders, and interior designer Courtney Ungaro, they discussed how AI is transforming home design and homeowner expectations.
Here are six key takeaways from their conversation:
Homeowners expect to “see it before they buy it”
The days of sample boards, paint chips and lots of verbal descriptions are over. According to a recent Hover survey, 74% of contractors say homeowners are more interested in seeing what a project will look like compared to five years ago. Consumers want to feel good about what they see before they commit – especially on a $150,000 remodel.
AI can fill that gap. What used to take hours with complicated software, hand-drawn illustrations, and cardboard models can now be showcased in seconds, on their own home.
“People are not going to buy [homes or renovations] unless they fall in love with them visually first... The world of the $150,000 decision based on some samples and a handshake is going away.” – Levi
Homeowners want to be involved in the creative process
Today’s digital culture has trained people to expect customization, instant feedback, and a seat at the design table. In the past, this level of involvement could slow a project down with rounds of back-and-forth and costly redesigns.
Now, AI makes it possible to collaborate visually and iterate instantly, helping pros meet the demand for customization without adding hours of work (or cost). Your customers can explore ideas in real time, while you steer the project toward feasibility and budget alignment.
“[Today’s consumer] wants to be wowed. They want to see it before they buy it, and they want to be included in the decision-making process. They want to customize directly with the designer or contractor.” – Levi
HGTV and Pinterest have permanently raised the bar
Homeowners are binge-watching renovations on HGTV and curating vision boards on Pinterest before they ever call a builder. They now have higher aesthetic expectations, but minimal patience for process.
With AI, you can translate their interest in a coastal farmhouse style and instantly display it on their own home – including roofing, siding, windows and more. You can show them what that all-white kitchen from Pinterest will look like in their own home – swapping in new cabinets, tile, countertops, and more.
“One of the really cool parts of AI is that you can actually take the reference image that a homeowner might fall in love with and try it on their house.” – Levi
AI helps you manage client expectations, saving everyone time and money
Design shows set unrealistic expectations, condensing six months of design iterations, estimates and construction into 30 minutes. AI drastically reduces time spent on project development and revisions. What used to take hours can now be done in seconds, freeing up your team to focus on higher-value tasks. You can present all the options to your homeowner, make edits, and get the contract signed – all in the first meeting.
“I could offer my client so many more options and still be incredibly efficient. I didn't have to pay a junior designer two hours – or charge my client for that time. We were able to just bang this out very quickly." – Courtney
AI helps decode client preferences, confirm choices, and deliver results they’ll love
Clients often think they know what they want. But putting it into words is tricky, and traditional design processes make it hard to test ideas quickly. With AI, you can turn vague ideas into visuals in seconds, helping clients see the outcome before they commit. You can confirm you’re on the same page (and guide them away from missteps), which saves you time, builds trust and avoids revisions down the line.
“You can literally just click a button and say, hey, you know the pink cabinets that you really wanted? This is what it’s going to look like—let’s not do that.” – Shannon
AI is for inspiration, not final plans
AI-generated designs are a great collaborative resource, but not a replacement for your professional expertise. Use AI to inspire and explore ideas, but manage the narrative. Let your clients know what’s really possible given their budget and current architecture.
"Position these [AI-generated designs] as inspiration. You’re still the one that has to guide the homeowner, to help them finalize materials and confirm that the design elements will really work on their home. AI just makes you more efficient.” – Shannon
Meet Homeowner Expectations Faster
Try Hover Instant Design today and see how easy it is to help homeowners find their perfect home design.
