When it comes to selling the idea of renovation, there is no other perfect client profile than that of senior citizens. For starters, these people have the budget to improve their homes. Coming from retirement and no longer spending money on tuition or amortizations, senior citizens have extra money to spend and some more for things such as renovation. Of course, that is not to say that budget should be spent irresponsibly. Second, they have a very specific way of life and standard of living that they want their homes to reflect. However, this second reason is also why they are harder clients to win and eventually, impress.
But as a designer, with the right mindset, you can win senior citizens over as a client. Here are some specific tips to make it happen for you:
1. Tell them what’s in it for them.
How do you sell the whole idea of home renovation to people who have spent their whole life maintaining their house? You can start by explaining how a renovation can make their home more efficient, aside from the obvious aesthetic motivations they may have. For starters, senior citizens, especially those with children, live in bigger houses. Focus on how the renovation can make the space smaller and in essence, help them save on utilities such as electricity and water. With the space, they can focus on other things such as installing a pool for example or a gym – items that can help them maintain their health, instead of keeping several rooms that no one really uses except during holidays when the kids come over.
2. Be respectful of their design preferences.
As a designer, it can be quite tempting to treat senior citizens as people who have no clue what they want or just people who will be impressed with the first draft of the layout. Do not be this kind of designer. Try to understand the kind of design they are comfortable with by first visiting their home. Ask questions and find the story behind every piece in their abode. Where do they travel? What home pieces do they seem to gravitate towards whenever they go shopping abroad? If there are five items in their home that they can never part ways with, what are those items? What do they think are the items that they will want their own kids or grandchildren to own and have in their own homes in the future?
Asking these questions will provide you with the insights to help you create the kind of home that they will want to live in as they enjoy the rest of their lives.
3. Reference their friends or their favorites.
Have you done work for someone they know? Mention it. This means that you do your research and you are able to tap in their own network which chances are they will reach out to anyway to ask about you in the first place. If you happen to know their favorite hotel or place, incorporate that in your presentation. It will tell them that you care enough to do get to know them at such a thorough manner and will surely win you their business from the get go.
For home renovations in Capalaba or Redland City, contact 4sk Constructions and Renovations.