Pros Share How They Help Clients Select the Right Materials
See how designers and builders make it easier for homeowners to choose from different product options
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 from the scores of product and material options, along with advice to help empower clients so they feel confident making decisions. Read on to see their top tips.
Interior designer Tamara Marie gives potential clients a run-down 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 through making informed product selections.
Learn about Houzz Pro all-in-one business software
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 through making informed product selections.
Learn about Houzz Pro all-in-one business software
Tailor selections to their needs
It can be difficult for clients 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, try presenting homeowners with 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 clients 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, try presenting homeowners with 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 their project.
Visual aids including videos, mock-ups and augmented-reality tools can make it easier for clients to see what their home could look like after the renovation.
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 visualise 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 their project.
Visual aids including videos, mock-ups and augmented-reality tools can make it easier for clients to see what their home could look like after the renovation.
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 visualise 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,” says José. “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 clients visualise 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 clients visualise 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 is almost always best to show clients swatches or samples of materials and products such as flooring, wall coverings or paint colours before they make any final decisions. Allowing them to view potential items in their home can help them come to a decision quickly and feel more confident about their selections.
“Clients don’t realise how different something will look in their space versus online or in a showroom,” says Pollack. “Often, when they see it in the home, they see what I see.”
It is almost always best to show clients swatches or samples of materials and products such as flooring, wall coverings or paint colours before they make any final decisions. Allowing them to view potential items in their home can help them come to a decision quickly and feel more confident about their selections.
“Clients don’t realise how different something will look in their space versus online or in a showroom,” says Pollack. “Often, when they see it in the home, they see what I see.”
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,” says White.
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,” says White.
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 metreage, improving functionality, updating style 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 metreage, improving functionality, updating style 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,” says José. “The last thing we want is for a client to reach the end of a project and not like the outcome.”
Your turn
How do you help your clients navigate multiple material options? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the renovation conversation.
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Read your next story for professionals here with 5 Ways to Keep Projects on Schedule During a Supply Chain Crisis
How do you help your clients navigate multiple material options? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the renovation conversation.
More
Read your next story for professionals here with 5 Ways to Keep Projects on Schedule During a Supply Chain Crisis
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 new build or renovation.