In a world where homeowners may not know what they want (but always know what they don’t want), quick design decisions can be challenging.
Today, less than a quarter of homeowners hire design pros. Many look to their builders and contractors for help. Homeowners rely on your experience and expertise to recommend what materials and design elements to use on their home. The problem? Design is incredibly subjective, driven by personal opinion and individual taste.
More than likely, pros make design recommendations based on functionality and their book of business, or materials they always use. But what’s easy and practical to you may not be beautiful to the homeowner. Even worse is letting a homeowner run with an idea you know they’ll regret.
With any recommendation comes the risk of regret. Regret with the decision, regret with the end product, and regret that they chose you. Every design decision falls back on you – and your reputation.
So how can you help customers make design decisions, without risking buyer’s remorse and your reputation? Show them what the design will look like first, before they commit.
Paul Trautman, founder of Trautman Exteriors, knows the value of real time design.
It all started with a request for a bold red door. Inspired by a photo on Pinterest, the homeowner was convinced the red door would transform her exterior. With a $7,000 price tag and 6-week lead time, this wasn’t an inconsequential decision.
“I wanted her to be sure,” explained Paul. “It was a big investment and I knew my reputation would be at risk if she hated it.”
Paul pulled up Hover Instant Design on his tablet. Using a single photo of the client’s home, Paul was able to show her what the red door would look like, in real time, on her own home. Instead of basing her decision on a Pinterest photo, on a different home, with different architecture, paint and design elements, she was able to make a better-informed decision.
“She kept saying, ‘Thank you so much for saving me from this door!’” added Paul.
Using Hover, Paul showed her different options and she chose a solid black version. They got the whole exterior project, installed the door, and she’s thrilled with the result. Paul earned her trust by giving her options and allowing her to see the possibility of something other than what she initially wanted.
“This homeowner tells everyone the story of how I saved her from a very expensive mistake,” concluded Paul. “With Hover, it’s so easy for me to give my customers the confidence to make decisions they’ll love… and fast!
“Hover has allowed us to grow exponentially. It's allowed us to work so much easier. It's allowed us to build so much more confidence and trust with homeowners. We can help them achieve their dream home. I don't know what we would do without Hover.”