Despite the many changes resulting from the national pandemic, the home improvement industry has seen a significant business spike. As more people remain indoors, the desire to create a safe and decent environment to live in has increased. While this is great news for contractors, acquiring new clients still comes with some challenges.
COVID-19 Fears
Though homeowners understand the importance of keeping up with maintenance and repairs, fear of contracting or spreading the coronavirus causes some hesitation. As such, local home service providers like an Orange County insulation installation contractor or a San Diego County rodent proofing company must develop strategies to put their clients’ minds at ease. Continue reading for some practical solutions.
Get Educated
Before you can ensure your home service clients that you have their best interests in mind, you must get educated. Learn about COVID-19 in your service area. What are the rules and regulations set forth by the federal and local governments? What recommendations have been provided by the CDC? What are some health and safety practices that other home service providers are using?
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Develop Workplace Safety Procedures
After you’ve done some research on keeping clients and employees safe amid the pandemic, you should develop workplace safety procedures. Here is a look at some things you might consider adding:
- All contractors must wear PPE at worksites.
- Contractors must get screened and tested regularly for COVID-19.
- Should an employee become sick, they must go home, and quarantine, and clients notified immediately.
- When possible, contractors should commute separately.
- Staff should properly sanitize work areas throughout the workday.
- Keep onsite crew to a minimum during projects.
Once you’ve developed new workplace safety procedures, ensure that your crew fully understands what is expected of them. Then, add this information to your company website and social media pages so that potential clients can see what you’re doing to ensure everyone’s well-being.
Offer Virtual Solutions
While in-person meetings are common during a home improvement project, this practice is risky in the middle of a pandemic. Whether you need to meet with your clients to go over the blueprints and budget or to discuss changes along the way, utilizing digital resources like video conferencing software is highly recommended. You can schedule meetings that provide an in-person vibe without putting anyone in harm’s way.
Project management software is another digital solution that can enhance productivity. Such platforms allow you to communicate with key players from subcontractors to clients, on vital project information. You can delegate tasks, share blueprints, provide a budget, manage teams, and maintain timelines in real-time. It reduces your need for in-person meetings and dramatically reduces everyone’s risk of contracting the coronavirus.
Ask for Testimonials
Word of mouth remains one of the most effective ways to acquire new clients. The pandemic may have resulted in many people’s social distancing, but they can still spread the word about your home improvement business. Digital branding solutions like positive customer testimonials or reviews go a long way in decreasing your target audience’s fears.
When you complete a project, ask your clients if they’d be willing to record a video or write a review on your company website. They could talk about their initial fears, how you and your crew accommodated their needs, and their satisfaction with the finished product. As interested parties inquire about your services, the positive testimonials and reviews put their minds at ease.
If you’re a home service provider who experienced a decline in business during the pandemic, you’re not alone. Though homeowners are interested in keeping their homes safe and comfortable, the fear of the coronavirus causes them to put off much-needed services. If your business will survive these trying times, it is vital to make necessary changes that accommodate your clients’ needs while ensuring their safety. Using strategies such as those provided above, you show your target audience just how committed you are to keeping them safe, which can ultimately grow your business.
