You love to build and you’re good at it. That’s why you became a general contractor. Selling though, may or may not be your area of expertise. Not everyone is a born salesperson, so when it comes to suggesting upgrades, some general contractors shy away. The truth is, though, that there are some beautiful upgrades that are a real benefit to the customer. Here are a few home upgrades that every general contractor should offer.
Roughed-In Plumbing
Building a new house or going through a renovation is a pricey undertaking. Many homeowners opt to put off some of the home finishing for the time being. They often leave an extra bathroom on the to-do list for later. While it’s sometimes financially responsible to put these jobs off until a future date, having plumbing roughed in right away is a money saver overall.
Adding plumbing later is not only time consuming, it is also quite costly. Even if the homeowner doesn’t have the bathroom finished down the road, having it roughed in is a good selling feature.
Energy-Efficient Features
These days, homeowners are thinking green. Everyone wants to be more environmentally friendly, and what better time to do it than during a renovation or build? There are so many facets of a home that come in energy-efficient versions. Windows, lighting, appliances, heating and cooling systems, smart controls and much more can be found in environmentally-friendly varieties.
These products do tend to come at a higher price point, but homeowners will often be interested because of extra money savings once they’re installed. With these upgrades, the home also functions better overall and is very homeowner friendly.
Added Storage
Unless your clients are minimalists, most people hold on to a lot of extra stuff. Having somewhere to store these items is usually a top priority. Homeowners love the idea of having a place to stash away their extra items. It makes the home look less cluttered. Generally speaking, storage solutions don’t cost a lot of extra money to add in, but they provide a great deal of functionality to a home.
Cushiony Carpet Padding
There’s something very luxurious about stepping onto a cushiony carpet. The funny thing is that it may not even be the carpet giving that feel of extravagance. Having a plush underlay installed under the carpet is a relatively inexpensive way to make a home feel cozier and more upscale. This is one of those simple upgrades that every general contractor should offer. Customers might not always have the budget for higher-end carpet options, but thicker padding is quite affordable and gives an impressive feel.
Financing for the Extras
If your clients are interested in adding some upgrades but don’t quite have the savings to cover them, there are still options. Home improvement financing is available to bridge the gap. The process is even more convenient when homeowners find contractor financing options with their builder.
HFS Financial makes financing for contractors simple. Loans for contractors to offer their clients can be done completely through our handy widget on your personal website or on the HFS Financial site — with no extra work for you. Talk to us today to find out more about adding this incredible service to your business.