Boost Your Business With These Winter Prep Ideas for Clients
Build trust and generate work by helping homeowners create a cozy, inviting and resilient home this fall
As a design or building professional, now is the perfect time to help homeowners prepare their homes for the cooler months. Recommending timely seasonal upgrades and home improvements is a great way to build trust with your clientele, as it shows that you understand their current concerns. And it can lead to new business opportunities in the process. Here are some fall-specific services that are sure to hit the spot with your customers.
2. Roof and Gutter Maintenance
Another essential maintenance task your clients may be eager to outsource is the inspection, cleaning and maintenance of their roof and gutters. Attending to these chores now not only prolongs the life of roofs and gutters, but it reduces the risk of leaks, blocked or frozen pipes and potential water damage when the temperature drops.
Another essential maintenance task your clients may be eager to outsource is the inspection, cleaning and maintenance of their roof and gutters. Attending to these chores now not only prolongs the life of roofs and gutters, but it reduces the risk of leaks, blocked or frozen pipes and potential water damage when the temperature drops.
3. HVAC Checks
As a contractor, emphasize to customers the importance of getting their HVAC system inspected, cleaned and calibrated now to make sure it’s in top working order come winter. Not only will this ensure that clients enjoy a comfortable home throughout the chilly months, but it will give them the confidence of knowing their system isn’t working harder — and costing more to run — due to easy-to-fix issues like dirty filters, vents and ducts.
As a contractor, emphasize to customers the importance of getting their HVAC system inspected, cleaned and calibrated now to make sure it’s in top working order come winter. Not only will this ensure that clients enjoy a comfortable home throughout the chilly months, but it will give them the confidence of knowing their system isn’t working harder — and costing more to run — due to easy-to-fix issues like dirty filters, vents and ducts.
Did you know that Houzz Pro software makes it easier to communicate your services with existing and potential clients? The email marketing tool lets you create mailing lists from your leads and client contacts in Houzz Pro. It offers email templates, or you can design your own.
You can also use Houzz Pro to create estimates and proposals — and track payments — all in one place, freeing up precious time so you can focus on serving your clients and building your business.
Learn more about Houzz Pro software
You can also use Houzz Pro to create estimates and proposals — and track payments — all in one place, freeing up precious time so you can focus on serving your clients and building your business.
Learn more about Houzz Pro software
4. Cozy Decor
When the temperature dips, it’s a natural instinct to retreat indoors to snug and inviting living spaces. As an interior designer or decorator, leverage this impulse by positioning yourself as a curator of coziness. Suggest ways to add warmth to living areas with layered lighting, cozy window furnishings, comfortable and conversational seating and warm, autumn-hued colors.
When the temperature dips, it’s a natural instinct to retreat indoors to snug and inviting living spaces. As an interior designer or decorator, leverage this impulse by positioning yourself as a curator of coziness. Suggest ways to add warmth to living areas with layered lighting, cozy window furnishings, comfortable and conversational seating and warm, autumn-hued colors.
Bedrooms also come into greater focus in the cooler months. Offer your design expertise at transforming bedrooms into welcoming retreats with seasonal colors, sumptuous bed linens, soft furnishings, blackout curtains and cozy wall treatments.
Find out about joining the free Houzz Trade Program for trade-only product discounts
Find out about joining the free Houzz Trade Program for trade-only product discounts
5. Spaces for Togetherness
With homeowners spending more time indoors, they’re more likely to notice if their interior spaces aren’t functioning as well as they should.
As an architect or builder, propose structural solutions, large of small, that will provide clients with more space, enhanced flow between rooms, or spots where they can spend time with loved ones, such as a dedicated family or game room.
With homeowners spending more time indoors, they’re more likely to notice if their interior spaces aren’t functioning as well as they should.
As an architect or builder, propose structural solutions, large of small, that will provide clients with more space, enhanced flow between rooms, or spots where they can spend time with loved ones, such as a dedicated family or game room.
You might also suggest smart-home upgrades, if this is a service you offer, such as automated heating, window furnishings, indoor and outdoor lighting, a home cinema or an integrated home audio system.
You can help clients visualize their planned home with Houzz Pro Mood Boards and 3D Floor Plans. You can also share photos, files, estimates, proposals and more with clients through Houzz Pro.
You can help clients visualize their planned home with Houzz Pro Mood Boards and 3D Floor Plans. You can also share photos, files, estimates, proposals and more with clients through Houzz Pro.
6. Entertaining-Friendly Areas
With the holiday season right around the corner, now’s the moment to get customers thinking about their gathering spaces, such as dining rooms, entries and open-plan kitchens. Do these areas feel inviting, blend with the decor of the rest of the home and cater to large numbers in terms of space and seating? If not, are these areas you could assist with?
With the holiday season right around the corner, now’s the moment to get customers thinking about their gathering spaces, such as dining rooms, entries and open-plan kitchens. Do these areas feel inviting, blend with the decor of the rest of the home and cater to large numbers in terms of space and seating? If not, are these areas you could assist with?
7. Storage Upgrade
With more pressure on a home during the entertaining season, decent storage is likely to be a priority for many homeowners, as it helps them keep their interiors clean, clear and organized so they can focus on the business of togetherness.
The pre-holiday period is a prime time for clients to design and commission custom storage solutions to streamline busy areas of the home, such as the entry, mudroom, living spaces and kitchen, to enhance day-to-day functionality.
With more pressure on a home during the entertaining season, decent storage is likely to be a priority for many homeowners, as it helps them keep their interiors clean, clear and organized so they can focus on the business of togetherness.
The pre-holiday period is a prime time for clients to design and commission custom storage solutions to streamline busy areas of the home, such as the entry, mudroom, living spaces and kitchen, to enhance day-to-day functionality.
8. Wardrobe Redo
A new season means a change in the clothes we wear. If you’re in the business of decluttering or home organizing, propose assisting customers with streamlining their wardrobes and finding efficient ways to store out-of-season attire, so that getting ready in the morning is easier and more efficient.
How to Produce a Compelling Newsletter for Your Business
A new season means a change in the clothes we wear. If you’re in the business of decluttering or home organizing, propose assisting customers with streamlining their wardrobes and finding efficient ways to store out-of-season attire, so that getting ready in the morning is easier and more efficient.
How to Produce a Compelling Newsletter for Your Business
9. Outdoor Refresh
When you’ve got a great alfresco entertaining space, why limit its use to the summer months?
As a designer or builder, suggest tailored upgrades that allow homeowners to use the space all year round. For example, adding garden and alfresco lighting; installing outdoor heating or a fireplace; or swapping the portable grill for a built-in outdoor kitchen complete with storage, fridge and sink.
Recommend decorative enhancements as well, such as creating dedicated zones for relaxing and dining; sprucing up the area with comfortable seating in easy-care, weather-resistant fabrics; and introducing comfort and coziness with outdoor rugs, cushions and throws.
When you’ve got a great alfresco entertaining space, why limit its use to the summer months?
As a designer or builder, suggest tailored upgrades that allow homeowners to use the space all year round. For example, adding garden and alfresco lighting; installing outdoor heating or a fireplace; or swapping the portable grill for a built-in outdoor kitchen complete with storage, fridge and sink.
Recommend decorative enhancements as well, such as creating dedicated zones for relaxing and dining; sprucing up the area with comfortable seating in easy-care, weather-resistant fabrics; and introducing comfort and coziness with outdoor rugs, cushions and throws.
Tell us: What services do you promote to clients in the fall? Tell us about them in the Comments.
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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
If you’re a contractor, encourage your customers to be proactive about preparing for winter by using this time to weatherproof their homes.
Projects could include sealing gaps around doors and windows to prevent drafts and boost the home’s energy efficiency, taking steps to prevent moisture penetration, upgrading insulation, doing siding inspections and repairs, cleaning the outside of windows and weatherproofing garage doors.