Home improvement companies range from large product distributors down to small, one-man contractors. Basically, if you’re doing repairs on a home or seeking to improve someone’s home (perhaps by adding hardwood flooring, granite countertops or crown molding) then you would be considered a home improvement company. At some point in time, all homeowners are going to need the assistance of a home improvement company on the upkeep of their home.
The article “Should you clean your roof?” states that cleaning your gutters a few times a year can prevent clogs, which leads to moisture-related issues if ignored. If you can’t do this yourself, you would need to call a contractor to clean your roof for you. This is true in all areas of the home, including both the interior and the exterior.
Since competition amongst remodelers and home improvement companies is high, you’ll need to think outside the box when it comes to marketing your home improvement business.
A few creative marketing ideas include:
- Create a website – How many local handymen do you know that have their own website? Probably not many. Whatever your business is – whether you’re selling a service or providing a product – create a website to advertise your skills, provide your contact information and allow your customers to write their own reviews. Websites are relatively inexpensive (about $55 per year) and are simple to design. You could also consider hiring a graphic designer to design and build the site, but of course that will cost you more money.
- Utilize social media – When people are looking for home improvement services, there’s a good chance they’re going to turn to social media. Do you have a Facebook page, Twitter account and Google plus page? What about LinkedIn to meet other remodeling professionals in your area? Social media can get the word out that you’re in business and is a free way to advertise and get referrals.
- Post flyers in local coffee shops – People order and pay for their coffee, then stand around waiting for it to be made. More often than not, they’re going to drift over to the bulletin board that hosts local events, small businesses and things to do in the area. This is a great way to advertise your business and generate a good client base. Leave a stack of business cards for people to grab or put your phone number on the flyer for people to rip off.
- Use Craigslist – Craigslist is one of the best free ways you can advertise your home improvement business. Whether you do electrical work, general handyman work or painting and drywall, Craigslist will guaranteed generate some business for you. You can post ads as often as you like – the more frequently, the better.
- Ask for referrals – Referrals come in all shapes and sizes – they can come from current customers, family and friends or even other contractors in the business. If you do drywall repair, for example, you could get in touch with a heating and air conditioning repair man and have him recommend you to his current customers. In return, you will recommend him to all of your customers.
Also, as a general rule of thumb, always provide the best possible customer service to every single one of your customers. That one detail will set you apart from all of your competitors and give you a good chunk of referral business.
While your company may be geared towards home improvements, you are also in the business of customer service, something that the right marketing approach can greatly enhance.
About the Author: Sarah Brooks is a freelance writer living in Charlotte, NC. She writes on a variety of topics including home improvements, small businesses and personal finance.
