When it comes to home improvements, homeowners often have increasing the property’s value in mind. But before they start knocking down walls or changing the plumbing, they turn to tradespeople who can give advice and also work on home improvement projects. That’s where you come in. Being updated on the latest home improvement projects provides Read more
Home Inspection
When it comes to home improvements, homeowners often have increasing the property’s value in mind. But before they start knocking down walls or changing the plumbing, they turn to tradespeople who can give advice and also work on home improvement projects. That’s where you come in.
Being updated on the latest home improvement projects provides a competitive advantage to any tradesperson. Homeowners want trade professionals who are familiar with the latest trends in home improvement and who have the skills to work on them. To get you started, here are the top home improvement projects that increase a property’s value.
1. Urgent repair inspection
Not all home improvement projects involve a complete overhaul of one area of the home. Some homes may just need a quick inspection. There are areas in the home that are seldom seen by homeowners but can hide problems that can negatively impact the value of a home. These problems are usually discovered during an appraisal and can significantly reduce the price that sellers will receive. The longer homeowners put off these urgent repairs, the more expensive the cost of repair will be.
These problems can be easily noticed by a tradesperson’s trained eye. A tradesperson will be able to pinpoint the signs of a termite infestation, outdated plumbing or electrical system, or deteriorating walls and roofs.
2. Interior and exterior paint job
When done correctly, a fresh coat of paint for the house is one of the most cost-effective home improvement projects. Since paint is relatively inexpensive, having a newly painted home gives a significant return on investment.
There are several areas that benefit from a new coat of paint. The front door and exterior walls are some of the first things a potential buyer sees and a new paint job can boost a home’s curb appeal. Kitchen cupboards and cabinets may look a little dated and could use a new color. Painting the house trims may not require much effort, but the right color can accentuate the whole home.
3. Updated plumbing system
Plumbing is the lifeblood of a home and thus, the value of a home can increase significantly with an updated plumbing system.
There are several ways tradespeople can help increase a property’s value with plumbing. Most home improvement projects involve the installation of new bathtubs, toilets and sinks. A new set of plumbing work hand in hand with this improvement. New plumbing that includes a water conservation feature is a huge plus for potential buyers.
Another way to improve the home’s value is through a drain replacement. A lot of things get stuck in the drain, including hair, food debris, and grime from dirty plates. A proactive repair and replacement of drains will translate to more comfortable living and increase in home value.
Finally, tradespeople may suggest the installation of an efficient water heater. No one wants to be stuck without hot water to warm up. Thus, it is vital to all homes that a water heater be installed or an old one updated.
4. Updated electrical system
Modern lifestyle demands an up-to-date electrical system. No potential home buyer would want to live in a home with not enough sockets for gadgets and appliances. If the electrical system is lacking, the buyer’s agent may negotiate a lower price or, worse, they may not take the home into consideration.
Some of the most common electrical updates include a fuse box or breaker panel replacement. Older homes may not be able to handle current technology’s electricity needs and may overheat easily and potentially cause a fire. Installing more power outlets is another option. To add value, tradespeople may suggest the addition of childproof power outlets that are appealing to families with children.
Most of these home improvement projects won’t break the bank, but a tradesperson’s experience and expertise can go a long way in increasing a home’s value. Be updated with the latest trends in home improvement to become a valuable asset to current and future clients.
Chris Woodard is the co-founder of Handle, a software company that helps contractors, subcontractors and materials suppliers secure their lien rights and get paid faster by automating the collection process of unpaid construction invoices.
Drain cleaning is in full-swing and if you’ve been thinking about ways you can add services to your business – diagnostics, inspection and locating – may be the perfect addition. Not only can it add an additional revenue stream year-round, but it’s a particularly beneficial service this time of year when home buying tends to Read more
Drain cleaning is in full-swing and if you’ve been thinking about ways you can add services to your business – diagnostics, inspection and locating – may be the perfect addition. Not only can it add an additional revenue stream year-round, but it’s a particularly beneficial service this time of year when home buying tends to pick up across the country.
While most homebuyers opt to have a home inspection completed as part of the home buying process, sewer inspection is not typically included. Many don’t know to ask for it and realtors aren’t always suggesting it as a necessary inspection.
Drain Mob, a camera, jetting and drain cleaning company in San Diego regularly provides camera inspection and drain cleaning services for clients after they’ve purchased a home and are experiencing issues, something they and other professionals think could be avoided if homebuyers and their realtors took the time to inspect the lines as part of the home inspection.
“Every day we see a lot of clients that did not have a realtor that would actually camera their sewer lines, they would always go on the inspection report from the inspector,” said Billy Teeter, Drain Mob Owner in a recent Instagram video talking to realtors. “It’s two to three hundred dollars, it’s worth the money. Hire a professional and you’ll be a hero with your client. Protect your clients investment.”
How to Get Started
To begin offering services to this market, you don’t need to buy equipment all at once. Invest in equipment you’ll initially need most and then add-on as needed once you recoup your initial investment. For example, a RIDGID® SeeSnake® Compact2 Camera System paired with the CS6xPak Digital Recording Monitor is a good initial investment for residential jobs. All RIDGID digital monitors come standard with Wi-Fi allowing for easy capturing and sharing of images and video through the HQx Live App on your phone or tablet. This lets buyers and sellers quickly see any potential issues.
After your initial equipment purchase, marketing your new service becomes a priority. A few ideas as you get started are:
- National Association of Realtors – Connect with your local National Association of Realtors chapter. The association represents 1.3 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries and has over 1,200 local associations/boards and 54 state and territory associations.
- American Society of Home Inspectors – Reach out to local home inspectors about partnering to offer drain and sewer inspection as part of their services. The American Society of Home Inspectors, a professional organization for inspectors across the country, offers a searchable database of local inspectors on their website.
Additional Business Benefits
Incorporating diagnostic, inspection and locating services into your business provides additional benefits for a company. These include:
- Expanded Capabilities – Diagnostics is an investment that quickly pays for itself and continues to drive incremental income by letting contractors offer additional plumbing services. It also allows plumbers to take on more complex and difficult projects they previously would have had to decline.
- The Added Value of Certainty – Clearly seeing the problem means being able to offer the right fix, no more and no less. For customers, seeing the problem that backs the estimate increases their trust in a contractor and the necessity of work being completed.
- Find it. Clear it. – Contractors can serve more customers in less time with diagnostics, inspection and locating equipment because they can locate and repair problems faster. Many tools come standard with Wi-Fi capabilities, allowing for findings to be shared immediately with clients and co-workers, which leads to faster decisions and shorter projects.
In closing, regardless of whether you decide to target your diagnostic, inspection and locating services to homebuyers and realtors, these services and type of equipment can be a beneficial addition for your business and clients.
Article by Gina Hartman
Gina is Senior Global Marketing Manager of Underground Technologies, including inspection and diagnostic products, at RIDGID®. The company is a global manufacturer of more than 300 dependable and innovative tools, trusted by professional trades in over 100 countries. Learn more at RIDGID.com.