Working with home builders
Working with builders brings on a different atmosphere than what you may generally expect going into the interior design industry. Your role will require more in-demand tasks, a closer collaboration with the builder than general home-owner relationships, and the ability to jump on new tasks at a short notice. Teaming up with home builders, and building business relationships with them, can really help secure a steady flow of income on a monthly basis. Especially if you are able to partner with a company that is known for turning around multiple properties at a time.
Although some builders, especially in a hot market, can refuse the idea that home staging is needed, a smart builder will understand the significant value it will have. Not only in how much faster the property can sell, but statistics show that homes that are staged sell for a higher sales price. Staging and decorating vacant homes is a perfect way to get into this career. You're not focused on making something out of what has already been put in place by a customer - instead, you get to work from a blank slate, in a modern new home, which makes the process much easier. Builders tend to give much more free reign to stagers on the design process, giving a general idea on what they'd like to see. Whereas, with traditional clients, their preference in design has a much bigger impact on the final outcome, and the work you put in.
1. THE VALUE YOU GIVE BUILDERS WITH BEAUTIFUL STAGING WILL:
Get buyers in the door – staging creates great curb appeal and beautiful internet photos.
Draws buyers into the home who are interested in seeing more.
Keeps buyers there longer so they make an emotional connection to the house.
Highlights the positive aspects throughout the home.
Down-plays the negative aspects of the home.
Shows a home in the best possible light and helps buyers visualize how a room can be used.
Remember to let the builder know that staging their listing will still be cheaper than a price reduction on a home that sits stagnant on the market.
2. WHAT TO EXPECT WORKING WITH BUYERS:
Select finishes for entire home.
Create the right atmosphere.
Interior and exterior color consultation.
Lighting design.
Curb appeal & landscaping.
Home staging.
Design services for the buyers.
If you build a strong bond with your home builder clients, you may be requested to have consultations on aspects of the home building process that are outside of just decorating. You may be asked opinions on fixtures, wallpapers, lighting, curb appeal, and a variety of other tasks that go into making the home appealing as a whole. This may take some time to work up to with the builder, to be consulted for full design layouts. You'll more than likely start off with the decorating/staging aspect.
3. THE PRICING MODEL:
If you work with a builder on a consistent basis, there may be a set expectation of a "discounted" rate. This expectation may arise if the builder hires you onto multiple projects and guarantees you a steady income. Negotiations are always open on the table, and although it's a wise business decision to make cuts on pricing for a client who is consistently hiring you, don't look over the value you bring to the table, and don't under estimate the cost of furniture to stage vacant listings. Meaning, work out negotiations, but don't undervalue your service.
4. FURNITURE:
Working with home builders brings on a different environment in the use of furniture. When you work with a client who wants their personal space decorated, you work with them on their budget on furniture. Once the furniture is purchased, they keep it. With home builders, you will be able to rotate your furniture between properties. When the home sells, it will no longer need the staging furniture, so you will visit the home again to collect your stuff. This requires a storage unit to store your content, until it's ready to be used again. You can also rent furniture, but needing to have a large turnaround of pieces makes it worth having your own collection.