If you are interested in home addition services, there is a lot that has to be done before home construction services can get started. Home addition contractors need to have plans that will tell them exactly what you want to be changed. An interior house renovation may just involve you and a contractor, or you might bring an architect and even an interior designer into the process to make it the best possible remodel. First, you need kitchen and bathroom remodeling ideas that will make up the bulk of the work, and then add on the little details that you want. For an addition, an architect will be needed. If you are planning a project like extending 2nd floor over foyer, building a house extension over driveway, or a house extension without foundation, a reputable architect will need to draw up a plan that can best work for your property. Deciding adding a room to a two story foyer may seem like a great idea, however the design process may make you need to change plans.
Remodeling prices can be high, so make sure you set a clear budget for the work before they begin. If you need new home renovation ideas, there are a number of social media sites that are full of great photos to give you some ideas. A site like Pinterest or Instagram can be helpful in inspiring new features that you can use in your own home. You can also try home magazines to see great pictures of beautiful rooms. Taking many ideas from various places will give your remodeled room a unique place to spend your time.
As Entrepreneur points out in a recent article, many home remodeling businesses went through a very lean period during the housing decline, and after recession had gripped the nation firmly. Some businesses that hit a low in 2009 were never able to bounce back.
What was the difference between those companies that failed, and the ones that got creative? Here are several approaches that Entrepreneur indicates were helpful in making sure that home improvement businesses didn’t go out of work, and actually did well.
Getting a Partner Who Knows the Business
In 2008, Princeton Air Conditioning Inc. realized there was no way they could continue to make money based on their current model. Sales were down and revenue might not pick up anytime soon. Instead, they decided to offer energy-efficiency services like geothermal heating and insulation for home construction services. It was the right time for it. But how could they make that switch with no experience? They decided to become a franchisee of GreenHomes America. This allowed them the proper training, services and know-how. Today, these services make up a third of their business.
Turned to Consulting
Matt Vetter saw his home remodeling business going downhill, with revenues falling 30%. When the economy is slower, fewer people are looking to adding a room to a two story foyer. For a drastic change, he decided to consult for quick-service restaurant franchisees with new store construction and development. He already had the knowhow from being part of a former construction franchise — now, he was turning his knowledge into something people wanted. Today, Vetter charges up to $7,000 per client.
Using Good Marketing
Rusty Meador founded Beach and Barn, a residential remodeling business, in 2009. Approaching the market during a recession turned out to be difficult, and Meador admits that he “wasn’t differentiating” himself from the competition. The company came up with a new logo of a rooster (representing work) on a surfboard (representing fun). After customers expressed interest in wearing it, Meadow and his wife were able to sell the shirts online and in area stores. It makes up 10% of their revenue, and helps generate interest in their company and differentiate them from local competitors. They have found a revenue source that is not as dependant on building a house extension over driveway or trying to plan on a house extension without foundation. They are letting their creativity drive additional revenue.
Went With a Successful Franchise
One woman, Daphne, opened up a remodeling business before the recession hit, without a lot of experience in the field — she had always liked planning her own home and figured she could build on that. Before her company went completely bottom-up, she decided to buy into a kitchen remodeling franchise instead. This helped Daphne get the training she needed, and set her up with a winning construction franchise business plan that otherwise would have taken years of trial and error for her to come up with. Now instead of complicated jobs like extending 2nd floor over foyer, Daphne is focusing only on kitchen remodels.
Are you interested in working with a construction franchise for home addition services, or any of these various solutions? Let us know in the comments.
