How’s Business Going Post-Pandemic? 6 Pros Reveal All
The pandemic reshaped the home design and remodeling industry, and changed how things are done, professionals say
Whether it was having to hit pause on projects, adapt to working remotely or deal with trade shortages and delivery delays, practically no part of the home design and remodeling industry was left untouched by the pandemic. Three years on, are the effects still being felt, and what, if any, long-term changes did the pandemic bring? We spoke to six professionals on Houzz to find out.
Higher Fees
“We have increased our service fees by approximately 10% to 15%,” Leferink says. “This decision was made to reflect the increased demand for our expertise and to invest in ongoing staff training and development.
“The higher fees also contribute to maintaining the quality and personalized attention our clients expect from a boutique design service.”
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“We have increased our service fees by approximately 10% to 15%,” Leferink says. “This decision was made to reflect the increased demand for our expertise and to invest in ongoing staff training and development.
“The higher fees also contribute to maintaining the quality and personalized attention our clients expect from a boutique design service.”
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Renewed Focus on Home
Rather than spending on a vacation or another major purchase, says Kentucky-based interior designer Patricia Butler of Patricia Butler Interiors, her customers are more likely to invest in their property these days. Like Leferink, she is busier than ever.
“The pandemic caused us to reprioritize home projects. We all spent so much time at home during the pandemic, staring at our own four walls, that our dream projects became more important to everyday functioning,” Butler says. “It got harder to look past the need to update the kitchen or bathroom or to replace or reupholster tired furniture.”
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Rather than spending on a vacation or another major purchase, says Kentucky-based interior designer Patricia Butler of Patricia Butler Interiors, her customers are more likely to invest in their property these days. Like Leferink, she is busier than ever.
“The pandemic caused us to reprioritize home projects. We all spent so much time at home during the pandemic, staring at our own four walls, that our dream projects became more important to everyday functioning,” Butler says. “It got harder to look past the need to update the kitchen or bathroom or to replace or reupholster tired furniture.”
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It’s something that Cynthia Stafford and Lindi Bolinger, principal designers and co-owners at TruDesign in Colorado, have noted with their clientele as well.
They say they’ve had more remodeling projects over the past two years. With higher interest rates and the current market conditions in Colorado, many of their clients are making their existing homes accommodate their needs instead of purchasing new, the designers say.
They say they’ve had more remodeling projects over the past two years. With higher interest rates and the current market conditions in Colorado, many of their clients are making their existing homes accommodate their needs instead of purchasing new, the designers say.
Online Meetings Now the Norm
Videoconferencing tools adopted during the pandemic are now an everyday part of work life for Stafford and Bolinger, allowing them to broaden their business base. They’ve also had success using Zoom and serving clients farther afield than their typical area.
Did you know you can also use Houzz Pro software to schedule regular video meetings with clients and team members? It also offers a host of other useful design-business tools, including the ability to create detailed 3D drawings, mood boards and proposals.
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Videoconferencing tools adopted during the pandemic are now an everyday part of work life for Stafford and Bolinger, allowing them to broaden their business base. They’ve also had success using Zoom and serving clients farther afield than their typical area.
Did you know you can also use Houzz Pro software to schedule regular video meetings with clients and team members? It also offers a host of other useful design-business tools, including the ability to create detailed 3D drawings, mood boards and proposals.
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Less Focus on Resale
With Butler’s customers more concerned with long-term livability and less on their home’s resale value, they’ve become more expressive and adventurous in their design choices, she says.
“Clients have been making selections based on their preferences and ideas of beauty and style, rather than what will be good for resale.
“One of our recent kitchen renovations, for example, was highly personal and feminine. The client chose lighting with a delicate feel and vibrant, colorful windows treatments, paired with navy and sage cabinetry, neutral walls and gold accents,” Butler says.
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With Butler’s customers more concerned with long-term livability and less on their home’s resale value, they’ve become more expressive and adventurous in their design choices, she says.
“Clients have been making selections based on their preferences and ideas of beauty and style, rather than what will be good for resale.
“One of our recent kitchen renovations, for example, was highly personal and feminine. The client chose lighting with a delicate feel and vibrant, colorful windows treatments, paired with navy and sage cabinetry, neutral walls and gold accents,” Butler says.
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Conlan Segerson at Connecticut building firm Segerson Builders has noted that since the pandemic, customers have become more involved in the specific details and features of the home remodel or build.
“Clients these days [are more likely] to find images on Houzz and online that they would like to integrate into their homes,” he says. “As builders, we have been working hard to turn those images into reality.”
“Clients these days [are more likely] to find images on Houzz and online that they would like to integrate into their homes,” he says. “As builders, we have been working hard to turn those images into reality.”
Diversified Services
“Custom residential design has become a growth area,” says Eugene Sakai, CEO and partner at Studio S Squared Architecture in San Jose, California. “Our firm has grown from seven to 20 full-time employees and equivalents.
“We’ve doubled down on holistic design, offering architecture, interiors and landscape design, with dedicated professionals in each category. Clients’ expectations of quality design have grown, as well as their willingness to pay for it,” Sakai says.
“Custom residential design has become a growth area,” says Eugene Sakai, CEO and partner at Studio S Squared Architecture in San Jose, California. “Our firm has grown from seven to 20 full-time employees and equivalents.
“We’ve doubled down on holistic design, offering architecture, interiors and landscape design, with dedicated professionals in each category. Clients’ expectations of quality design have grown, as well as their willingness to pay for it,” Sakai says.
“Clients can now hire us for basic architecture only, full-service architecture only, or full-service architecture with either interior design or landscape architecture, but in most cases [it’s] all three at once,” Sakai says.
“We also now offer purchasing to assist general contractors, and furniture and decor specification and installation for a fully turnkey approach.”
“We also now offer purchasing to assist general contractors, and furniture and decor specification and installation for a fully turnkey approach.”
Improved (but Still Not Ideal) Lead Times
“Lead times for new goods have improved, although some oddball things are still on backorder — for example, I have a high-end dishwasher not due for delivery until 2024,” Butler says.
“Lead times for upholstery work are one area that hasn’t improved. The good upholsterers I know are up to six months behind. So I have had to counsel clients to be patient and plan ahead if there is an event like a graduation or wedding coming up.”
“Lead times for new goods have improved, although some oddball things are still on backorder — for example, I have a high-end dishwasher not due for delivery until 2024,” Butler says.
“Lead times for upholstery work are one area that hasn’t improved. The good upholsterers I know are up to six months behind. So I have had to counsel clients to be patient and plan ahead if there is an event like a graduation or wedding coming up.”
The often wildly varying delivery times for a project mean Butler has to be extra vigilant about follow-up and recordkeeping. “Houzz Pro software is helpful for this,” she says.
“Letting clients know ahead of time of potential delays and staying in contact with the upholsterer about where my client’s furniture is in the queue — and keeping the client in the loop — heads off most problems.
“No one wants to be the bearer of bad news, but apologizing and thanking the client for their patience really does help ward off most hard feelings,” Butler says.
“Letting clients know ahead of time of potential delays and staying in contact with the upholsterer about where my client’s furniture is in the queue — and keeping the client in the loop — heads off most problems.
“No one wants to be the bearer of bad news, but apologizing and thanking the client for their patience really does help ward off most hard feelings,” Butler says.
More Remodels, Fewer New Builds
“Our business over the past several years has been about 70% new construction and 30% renovations. We have seen a shift back toward more renovations with our clients — we are now about 60% renovations and 40% new construction,” says Matthew Harper, president at Utah-based building firm Harper & Co.
As for what he believes is behind the shift: “The rising cost of new homes and materials has led to a lot of clients wanting to stay where they are and make their current home everything they want rather than building new,” Harper says.
“Our business over the past several years has been about 70% new construction and 30% renovations. We have seen a shift back toward more renovations with our clients — we are now about 60% renovations and 40% new construction,” says Matthew Harper, president at Utah-based building firm Harper & Co.
As for what he believes is behind the shift: “The rising cost of new homes and materials has led to a lot of clients wanting to stay where they are and make their current home everything they want rather than building new,” Harper says.
Lack of Skilled Tradespeople
“It is almost impossible to find quality tradespeople anymore,” Harper says. “We have implemented programs in-house to hire and train new tradespeople because we have not been able to find them in the market.
“We are also starting to shift back to self-performing more of the work on our projects so we can ensure the quality of the work being done meets our standards and timelines.”
“It is almost impossible to find quality tradespeople anymore,” Harper says. “We have implemented programs in-house to hire and train new tradespeople because we have not been able to find them in the market.
“We are also starting to shift back to self-performing more of the work on our projects so we can ensure the quality of the work being done meets our standards and timelines.”
More Call for Flexible Spaces
“Since the pandemic, there has been a noticeable shift in residential clients’ priorities,” Leferink says. “Many now place a higher emphasis on creating multifunctional and adaptable spaces within their homes. Home offices, flexible living areas and wellness-focused designs have become more prevalent.
“Additionally, there’s a growing interest in sustainable and eco-friendly design elements, as well as a desire for spaces that promote relaxation and mental well-being.”
“Since the pandemic, there has been a noticeable shift in residential clients’ priorities,” Leferink says. “Many now place a higher emphasis on creating multifunctional and adaptable spaces within their homes. Home offices, flexible living areas and wellness-focused designs have become more prevalent.
“Additionally, there’s a growing interest in sustainable and eco-friendly design elements, as well as a desire for spaces that promote relaxation and mental well-being.”
Tell us: How has business changed for you since the pandemic? Please share your experiences in the Comments.
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In the years since the pandemic, business has boomed for Amy Leferink, founder and principal designer at Minnesota firm Interior Impressions. “We have experienced a significant increase in demand for our services, particularly in the residential sector,” she says.
“This surge has led to longer lead times as we strive to accommodate all our clients while maintaining the high-quality service we are known for.
“The longer lead times have required us to enhance our project management systems to ensure smooth operations and timely deliveries. While the increased demand has positively impacted our bottom line, it has also necessitated strategic planning to maintain efficiency,” she says.
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