Comments
Pros Share How They Help Clients Select the Right Materials
See how designers and builders make it easier for homeowners to choose among different product options
Kyle Troutman
July 12, 2023
The home furnishings and materials market offers tons of options for homeowners to choose from. However, when clients are presented with too many options, it can be difficult for them to select the best products for their home renovation. Here, four pros on Houzz share their best tips for helping homeowners decide among product and material options and empowering them to make confident decisions. Read on to see their advice, then tell us in the Comments how you make it easier for clients to make good choices.
Get on the Same Page
Giving homeowners a clear understanding of your role in the project can help them feel comfortable trusting your professional judgment, especially when they become overwhelmed with the number of product or material options they have. When you first meet with clients, consider walking them through how you’ll help them make the right calls for their remodel.
Interior designer Tamara Marie gives potential clients a rundown of her design process during the discovery phase so everyone can get on the same page. “It explains the value of a designer and what I bring to the table,” she says. “That includes guiding the client to make good decisions that will not cost them [extra] money or disappoint them during the process.”
Giving homeowners a clear understanding of your role in the project can help them feel comfortable trusting your professional judgment, especially when they become overwhelmed with the number of product or material options they have. When you first meet with clients, consider walking them through how you’ll help them make the right calls for their remodel.
Interior designer Tamara Marie gives potential clients a rundown of her design process during the discovery phase so everyone can get on the same page. “It explains the value of a designer and what I bring to the table,” she says. “That includes guiding the client to make good decisions that will not cost them [extra] money or disappoint them during the process.”
Marie also suggests sharing stories about successful projects from your portfolio during the first meeting with a homeowner. This can allow you to showcase your talents and expertise in guiding clients to great outcomes.
Learn about Houzz Pro all-in-one business software
Learn about Houzz Pro all-in-one business software
Tailor Selections to Their Needs
It can be difficult for customers to make a confident decision when faced with a wide range of options, so presenting too many choices might not be the best approach. Instead, you can show homeowners two or three options they might like the most.
“When presenting different options to a client, we start off by reminding them of their project goal and how another option may better meet that initial goal,” says Francisco José, co-owner of Strong Tower Renovations. “We provide the client with options that are in line with the goal and educate them on how it best suits their needs or taste.”
It can be difficult for customers to make a confident decision when faced with a wide range of options, so presenting too many choices might not be the best approach. Instead, you can show homeowners two or three options they might like the most.
“When presenting different options to a client, we start off by reminding them of their project goal and how another option may better meet that initial goal,” says Francisco José, co-owner of Strong Tower Renovations. “We provide the client with options that are in line with the goal and educate them on how it best suits their needs or taste.”
Use Visuals and Tech Tools
Sometimes, though, homeowners have a hard time communicating what they want or need. And they can have difficulty understanding your vision for the project.
Visual aids like videos, mockups and augmented-reality tools can make it easier for customers to see what their home could look like after the remodel.
Interior designer Melissa Pollack of Bespoke Decor uses 3D renderings to help homeowners see a proposed design through her eyes. “It makes it much easier for clients to get a sense of scale and flow when comparing options,” she says. “Clients hire a professional because they lack the ability to visualize the end result; I do my best to create ways for them to see it.”
Sometimes, though, homeowners have a hard time communicating what they want or need. And they can have difficulty understanding your vision for the project.
Visual aids like videos, mockups and augmented-reality tools can make it easier for customers to see what their home could look like after the remodel.
Interior designer Melissa Pollack of Bespoke Decor uses 3D renderings to help homeowners see a proposed design through her eyes. “It makes it much easier for clients to get a sense of scale and flow when comparing options,” she says. “Clients hire a professional because they lack the ability to visualize the end result; I do my best to create ways for them to see it.”
Strong Tower Renovations provides visuals to help clients see the possibilities — and limitations — of what can happen. “We want our clients to be well-informed about all of their options,” José says. “We don’t want our clients reaching the end of their renovation feeling like they could have gone in a different direction, so it’s important to present them with all their options upfront.”
You can help homeowners visualize your design ideas using the Houzz Pro Life-Sized Walkthroughs feature. The tool uses augmented reality to help you visually communicate your plans and get buy-in from clients faster.
Learn more about the Houzz Pro Life-Sized Walkthroughs tool
You can help homeowners visualize your design ideas using the Houzz Pro Life-Sized Walkthroughs feature. The tool uses augmented reality to help you visually communicate your plans and get buy-in from clients faster.
Learn more about the Houzz Pro Life-Sized Walkthroughs tool
Have Clients Review Samples in Their Space
It might be best to show clients swatches or samples of things such as flooring, surfaces, wallcoverings or paint colors before they make any final decisions. Allowing them to view potential items in their home could help them decide faster and feel more confident about their selections.
“Clients don’t realize how different something will look in their space versus online or in a showroom,” Pollack says. “Often, when they see it in the home, they see what I see.”
5 Simple Ways to Persuade Clients to Go in a Different Direction
It might be best to show clients swatches or samples of things such as flooring, surfaces, wallcoverings or paint colors before they make any final decisions. Allowing them to view potential items in their home could help them decide faster and feel more confident about their selections.
“Clients don’t realize how different something will look in their space versus online or in a showroom,” Pollack says. “Often, when they see it in the home, they see what I see.”
5 Simple Ways to Persuade Clients to Go in a Different Direction
Explain the Pros and Cons
Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of a proposed option or design element can help homeowners decide if something is right for their home.
“We explain the positives and drawbacks to creating different layouts within [the client’s] outdoor space,” says Bryce White, landscape designer and project manager at Seoane Landscape Design. And if they aren’t sold on any ideas, try going back to the drawing board.
“If they’re looking for alternatives, typically we sketch or lay something out in the outdoor space to show them what might work and why it might not work as well as the original layout,” White says.
Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of a proposed option or design element can help homeowners decide if something is right for their home.
“We explain the positives and drawbacks to creating different layouts within [the client’s] outdoor space,” says Bryce White, landscape designer and project manager at Seoane Landscape Design. And if they aren’t sold on any ideas, try going back to the drawing board.
“If they’re looking for alternatives, typically we sketch or lay something out in the outdoor space to show them what might work and why it might not work as well as the original layout,” White says.
Help Homeowners Stay Focused
Having too many options can sometimes cause clients stress or anxiety. In some cases, this can lead to decision fatigue, which can impede their ability to make additional judgment calls.
The pros at Strong Tower Renovations always like to ask their customers what they want most out of a project. Keeping them focused on the main objective — whether it’s adding extra square footage, improving functionality or finding better ways to age in place — might make it easier for them to handle decisions when they arise.
Having too many options can sometimes cause clients stress or anxiety. In some cases, this can lead to decision fatigue, which can impede their ability to make additional judgment calls.
The pros at Strong Tower Renovations always like to ask their customers what they want most out of a project. Keeping them focused on the main objective — whether it’s adding extra square footage, improving functionality or finding better ways to age in place — might make it easier for them to handle decisions when they arise.
“Renovations are dynamic [and] things constantly change, so it’s important to establish a guiding principle and stick to it as much as possible,” José says. “The last thing we want is for a client to reach the end of a project and not like the outcome.”
Your turn: Please share your tips in the Comments!
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in pro-to-pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
Your turn: Please share your tips in the Comments!
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in pro-to-pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
Related Stories
Latest News for Professionals
Builders Share Ways Designers Can Help Them Deliver Great Work
Contractors on Houzz offer tips on how architects and interior designers can help residential projects run smoothly
Full Story
Industry Research
Pros Remain Somewhat Optimistic Despite Slowed Activity
More construction and design firms expect business growth than expect a decline, the Houzz Q2 2024 Barometer shows
Full Story
Latest News for Professionals
Designers Share 4 Ways Builders Can Help Deliver Great Work
Architects and interior designers on Houzz offer tips on how contractors can help residential projects run smoothly
Full Story
Latest News for Professionals
10 Spring Home Upgrades to Recommend to Your Clients Now
Boost business and customer confidence by suggesting home improvements that are tailored to the season
Full Story
Latest News for Professionals
Outdoor Flooring, Turf and Tile Products for 2024
By Julie Sheer
See the latest materials for patios, decks and yards on display at the recent Surfaces trade show
Full Story
Latest News for Professionals
Homeowners Spend More on Remodels Despite Slight Dip in Activity
Also, planning time far exceeds building time and pro hiring remains strong, the 2024 U.S. Houzz & Home Study reveals
Full Story
Latest News for Professionals
6 Pros Share the Time-Saving Practices They Rely On
Want to be more efficient with your time? Pros reveal the indispensable methods and tools they turn to again and again
Full Story
Latest News for Professionals
Design Pros Share 10 Favorite Creamy White Paints
By Becky Harris
These off-white color choices include versatile tones, warming hues and pleasingly soft shades
Full Story
Latest News for Professionals
5 Fresh Laundry Appliance Trends for 2024
Check out the lean, green, powerful and smart washers and dryers showcased at the KBIS 2024 trade event
Full Story
Latest News for Professionals
5 Trends in New Engineered Countertops and Surfaces for 2024
See the latest styles and features for quartz, porcelain and sintered stone showcased at the recent KBIS 2024 trade show
Full Story