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PALO ALTO, Calif. — Houzz, an online home design platform, has added new tools to its Pro package such as the ability to host and promote video meetings, along with a new augmented reality (AR) room measurement tool that creates floor plans.
“We’ve heard from our community of home professionals that they are looking for better ways to connect and interact with current and prospective clients during the coronavirus pandemic,” said Alon Cohen, Houzz co-founder and president. “With video meetings, they can meet safely, save time and build rapport from a distance.”
Cohen added that with the new room measurement feature and 3D floor planner, pros can help their clients envision how a space will look and feel post-renovation.
The new, built-in room measurement tool within the Houzz Pro app uses AR to enable pros to capture and store room dimensions, according to the company. The tool automatically generates both 2D floor plans and 3D models, which can then be modified in the Houzz Pro 3D floor planner to include windows, doors, furniture and other room features to scale. Pros can then present these models to homeowners to help them envision their newly designed space with updates like removing a wall and adding new furniture.
Houzz Pro, which launched last April, makes it easy for professionals to reach new customers, according to the company. Subscription packages also include profile features, website building services and lead and business management tools. The Houzz Pro app is available for pro subscribers on both iOS and Android devices.
The Houzz platform currently has more than 2.5 million active home renovation and design professionals around the world in more than 65 categories, including architects, interior designers and contractors.
