There are going to be times in your career when you can’t give your client everything they want. Whether it’s features that just won’t work with the structure of their home or not being able to give them everything within their budget, there are bound to be times when you and your client clash. At other times this might happen when it comes to design. So how do you get a client to be open to your design suggestions? Here are some options.
Include them in every stage.
When you want a client to be open to your design suggestions, you want to include them in every stage of the process. This may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s really important. Your client won’t be open to your design suggestions if they feel like they don’t have any say in it. When you work with them to find a middle ground between what you can provide and what they actually want, you have a much greater chance of them being open to your suggestions.
Find a compromise.
“Yes” language is going to be your best friend when you’re talking through design options with your clients. No one wants to be told no when they’re investing in their dreams. So, you’ll want to phrase every no as a yes. If there is something you just can’t offer them, whether it’s because of the property structure, budget, or something else, start with a positive. Find something you can offer them. Structure your suggestions like, “We can do x, but we’ll need to rethink y.” Then, follow up with your suggestion: “What about z?” This keeps your client involved in the design choices, so they’re more likely to be open to your suggestions.
Bring in an interior designer.
If all else fails, you may need to call in the big guns: an interior designer. An interior designer may be able to get through to your client when you’re unable to. Interior designers have a great third-person point of view in these situations: they can understand and envision what the client wants, but they also understand the limitations you’re working with as a contractor. Having this third-person point of view might help convey your suggestions to your client in a way you’re unable to — and help you find a middle ground.
Help them with their budget.
Budget is one of the biggest barriers to giving your clients what they want. That’s why offering contractor financing is so important. If you want your clients to be more open to your design suggestions, help them with their budget by offering financing with HFS Financial. All your clients have to do is fill out a 60-second loan application and we’ll help fit them with the right loan. It’s really that easy. Give us a call at 1-800-254-9560 today to get started making your clients’ dreams come true. “You Dream It, We Finance It.”