9 Things Remodeling Customers Are Looking For

One of the main goals for home remodeling is return on investment (ROI). Remodeling projects can improve the resale value of a home when the costs are in line with the local real estate market. When reviewing a customer’s goals for a project, point out the options that have different ROI whenever possible.

Kitchen and bathroom remodeling offers some of the best ROI (see below). For customers interested in other projects with high ROI, recommend the following:

• New roofing
• Garage door replacement
• New wood flooring
• Hardwood floor refinishing
• Insulation upgrade
• Fiber cement siding

Remodelers can also suggest such increasingly popular ROI projects as:

• HVAC conversion to electrical power
• Basement conversion to living space
• Garage insulation
• Manufactured stone veneer siding
• Steel entry door replacement

For customers about to put a home on the market, you may want to suggest a simple “remodel for resale” strategy that includes kitchen upgrades, smart home features (see below) and outdoor renovations to improve curb appeal.

Pro Tip: For further information on this topic, see our guide “Cost vs. Value: Best ROI Home Improvements.”

Upgrading a kitchen is one of the most consistently popular remodeling projects, while also being potentially expensive.

Many customers are currently interested in remodeling projects that create larger kitchen islands or emphasize open plans. Other kitchen trends include showcasing more decorative range hoods or upgraded countertops.

Remodels that optimize a kitchen’s space, conserve energy or reduce water usage are also popular selling points.

To customers interested in a major remodel, suggest installing kitchen islands, undermount sinks and ceramic or glass tile backsplashes. The following kitchen remodeling ideas are also popular:

• Upgraded countertops of granite, quartz or quartzite
• Shaker-style cabinets
• Flat panel cabinets without knobs or handles
• Wood finishes and other natural materials
• Concealed pantries

Remodels can also include removing unnecessary walls and taking other steps to make kitchens more spacious.

Bathroom remodels can have equivalent or higher ROI than kitchens. In general, many bathroom fixtures and features need regular replacements or upgrades.

Contemporary bathroom remodeling trends include natural material and other types of design that evokes nature, such as wooden vanities, as well as earth tones and colors. Customers often combine these with remodeling choices that emphasize sustainability, so recommend energy or water efficient upgrades.

Remodeling Pros can recommend the following bathroom upgrades:

• Chrome fixtures and single-handle showers
• Updated bathroom tile floors or backsplashes
• Natural stone countertops
• Luxury design finishes, such as tiled shower pans, quartz and granite vanity tops
• European-style shower doors with thicker glass and minimal framing
• Enhanced storage options
• Deep vessel sinks
• Walk-in showers and wet rooms

Heated floors and rain shower heads are upscale features that can showcase a stylish bathroom but may not offer as high ROI.

Pro Tip: For more information on using or evoking nature, see our guide “9 Ways to Design With Nature.”

The popularity of remote work has increased remodeling projects to convert rooms into home offices or multifunctional spaces. For customers seeking more privacy and fewer open floor plans, suggest designs that add walls, partitions, sound proofing or options that create more private spaces for remote work, classes or virtual meetings.

If a customer wants to dedicate a space to a home office, make the following suggestions that support remote work:

• Charger outlets, ports for devices and storage to keep cords and equipment out of sight
• Shelving and built-in desks
• Sound absorbing panels
• Ergonomic chairs and other office furniture

Smart technology can offer remodeling customers greater control, convenience and customization in their homes. Remodelers can recommend the following smart additions that offer high ROI through reduced energy or water bills:

• Smart security systems
• Smart thermostats
• Smart appliances
• Smart lighting
• Smart window shades

Pro Tip: Suggest smart lighting for multipurpose rooms, as they can provide bright, energetic hues during work hours and softer, warmer colors for entertaining or leisure time.

Many remodeling customers need more space, especially ones opting to age in place due to challenges in the housing market. Remodelers can recommend projects that either use the existing space more efficiently or increase a home’s square footage.

Consult with customers about how to optimize their space and make the following suggestions:

• Adding pull-out shelves to cabinets
• Installing drawer organizers
• Creating lofts to convert underused space to sleeping areas
• Building recessed areas for cabinets, wardrobes, desks, etc.
• Installing shelving or other storage under staircases

Many remodeling projects that add square footage involve converting attics, basements, porches or garages to living space.

Pro Tip: To help clients maximize their space, suggest such design choices as sliding barn doors, which can use space more efficiently than doors that swing in or out.

Many homeowners, especially younger ones, are interested in making their homes more eco-friendly. Pros can suggest to these remodeling customers such sustainable options as:

• Using recycled or sustainable materials
• Energy-efficient LED lighting
• Solar panels
• Low-flow bathroom fixtures
• Water-efficient appliances
• Tankless water heaters
• Upgrading windows and doors for better insulation

Pro tip: As part of your customer service, make sure your client is aware of how the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act makes some energy-efficient upgrades eligible for tax credits.

Many aging homeowners, faced with high mortgage rates and a low housing supply, have been opting to age in place rather than go to the trouble and expense of moving.

Begin projects for aging in place with a health and safety audit of the home and make recommendations accordingly, especially for customers with mobility challenges.

Remodeling for aging in place includes the following:

• Bathroom grab bars
• Non-slip flooring
• Walk-in showers
• Vanities with seating
• Grab bars and handrails
• Pull-down or pull-out shelves for accessibility
• Improved lighting to reduce tripping hazards
• Relocating a bedroom to the first floor

Some homeowners will remodel their homes for multigenerational living to allow a parent or other older relative to move in. This includes many of the above steps, as well as converting basements or attics to living spaces, adding second kitchens and installing an additional entrance to the home.

Remodeling customers frequently value not just the quality of the work, but the quality of the worker.

Clear and consistent communications between remodeler and client is vitally important and applies to many different aspects of the job:

• Before works begins, review the major details of the remodeling contract with the client. This can help avoid later questions about the schedule or budget.
• Create a regular schedule for giving the client project updates, such as daily, twice weekly, etc., and stick with it.
• Establish a means of communication, such as phone calls, texts, etc., based on the clients’ preference and your own availability. For larger, more complex jobs that have multiple subcontractors, establish a point person (if not yourself) for client communications.
• Keep notes of client conversations and communications that are relevant to the project. Share summaries with the client that involve potential changes to the work.
• If complications come up that can raise the cost or extend the schedule, notify the client as soon as possible. With potentially bad news, in-person notification is better than text or email.

The following are traits that remodeling clients seek in potential contractors:

• Emphasize your skills and experiences by identifying how many years you’ve been working, the number of similar or relevant jobs and special certifications or achievements when possible.
• Make customer reviews, referrals or examples of previous work available through the internet, social media or other means. Be sure to highlight the ones relevant to the clients’ interests.
• Make sure your bids and estimate documents present cost information clearly and in detail to establish fair pricing.
• Respond to customer questions and concerns as soon as possible.
• Maintain effective communication and interpersonal skills that are friendly and professional, but not overly familiar.
• Stay punctual, especially when adhering to the schedule.

Pro Tip: See “A Master Guide for Construction Bidding” for more information on bids, estimates and client communication.

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