Our bottom-line is getting walloped. Cash is trickling in. Keeping everyone busy, is nearly impossible \u2013 even if we have accounts who are considered \u2018essential.\u2019 Supply chains (\u2018er people who can get us our stuff) are becoming an \u2018unchained melody.\u2019 They\u2019re breaking down daily. I have 2 suppliers thus far who shut down.<\/p>
The \u2018glass half full\u2019 guy in me has confidence our health care professionals along with capable state leaders (we\u2019re fortunate in Ohio to have Mike DeWine, Dr. Amy Acton and Jon Husted charting our course) will help us to flatten this curve EVENTUALLY. However, I also don\u2019t think it\u2019s smart to \u2018sit back\u2019 and expect things to bounce right back when the storm is over (I\u2019m an optimist, but my glasses aren\u2019t that rose-colored to think a \u2018wait for good things to happen\u2019 strategy is the way to go!).<\/p>
You may be asking why I don\u2019t think things will bounce right back? Well as an owner of a remodeling business, a nationwide building material wholesale company and a homeowner living through this mess, I believe the challenges of this virus will be embedded in our psyche and those of our customers as well. Here\u2019s 4 reasons I think this:<\/p>
- Reason #1 \u2013 Our cash has been crunched \u2013 <\/strong>You may have to dip into savings. You may be cashing out investments and\/or delaying paying bills just to keep your head above water. You\u2019re hoping our government \u2018bail-out\u2019 programs will help, but the financial worries will not be forgotten.<\/li><\/ul>
<\/p>
- Reason #2 \u2013<\/strong> Your customers may be leery to take on expensive projects and purchases \u2013 <\/strong>Who could have predicted a problem like the Coronavirus impacting the world ALL AT THE SAME TIME? The word which comes to my mind is UNPRECEDENTED. This \u2018period of life\u2019 will be embedded on our \u2018permanent record\u2019 worse than getting caught trying to pull off a prank in Junior High School. This will make people more conservative with how they spend money (a mini version of the Depression). They will focus more on needs, than wants.<\/li><\/ul>
<\/p>
- Reason #3 \u2013<\/strong> The \u2018desire\u2019 to have contractors give estimates, and to \u2018live through\u2019 long projects will be even lower than it was before \u2013 <\/strong>The larger the renovation project is, the more \u2018intrusive\u2019 it is to the lives of homeowners. And property owners (no matter what we like to think) didn\u2019t like us in their homes before the virus. Post-virus they\u2019ll be more concerned about sick contractors and diseases spreading. A new generation of germaphobes is being born. Owners will have less \u2018stomach\u2019 for long sales appointments and projects which feel like Eldon the Painter <\/em>from a re-run of Murphy Brown<\/em>.<\/li><\/ul>
<\/p>
- Reason #4 \u2013 The Coronavirus will leave a path of destruction which will alter relationships which have existed for years \u2013 <\/strong>Not all suppliers will make it \u2018out the other end\u2019 through the rocky economic road of this virus. You will be forced to rethink who(m) you work with. You may need to change the products you buy and who(m) you buy them from.<\/li><\/ul>
While all of these (mostly challenging) reasons things will change will turn many remodeler\u2019s business upside down, does it mean all is lost and you should \u2018throw in the towel (or should I say trowel or saw)?\u2019 \u00a0Well in the most \u2018poetic\u2019 language I can muster I say\u2026<\/p>
No frickin\u2019 way!<\/h3>
What is does mean (for you and me) is our S.O.P. (S<\/strong>tandard O<\/strong>perating P<\/strong>rocedures) must change. Just because we\u2019ve had success in the past and \u2018always done it that way\u2019 doesn\u2019t mean our approaches will work in our new future. Or in the famous words of Satchel Paige (for non-historical baseball fans Satchel was the first African American pitcher in the American League for my Cleveland Indians) \u2026.<\/p>
\u201cIt’s not what you know, it\u2019s what you know that just ain\u2019t so!\u201d \u2013 Satchel Paige <\/em><\/h3>
Through these times we\u2019ll be forced to change. We\u2019ll be forced to pivot. We\u2019ll be forced to realize it\u2019s not what we know, it\u2019s what we know that just ain\u2019t so.<\/p>
While I\u2019m no \u2018Remodeling Nostradamus\u2019 and don\u2019t even own a crystal ball (although I did put together a disco mirror ball in college for my fraternity in the \u2018funk-lovin\u2019 early 1980\u2019s), I see \u2018times are a changin\u2019 (as Bob Dylan would say). I see the need for remodelers (and those who supply them) to start \u2018a changin\u2019 with them also.
![\"Crystal](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Crystal-ball-remodeling-industry-post-Coronavirus.jpg\")
<\/p>So, what are these changes? More importantly, how can you and I leverage them to not only stay in business, but thrive through a \u2018remodeling reset\u2019 unlike anything we\u2019ve seen before? I\u2019ll present 7 changes I believe will be \u2018rockin\u2019 our remodeling world. And we\u2019ll look at how as remodelers or suppliers we can take advantages of our \u2018altered state\u2019 (to mimic the name of one of my wife\u2019s favorite dress shops we would visit before the \u2018stay at home.\u2019). At the end, let me know which of these changes make sense to you. Or let me know if you think I\u2019m \u2018full of it\u2019 (and my wife would say, I\u2019ve resembled that remark a time or two). It\u2019s fun to learn from different POV\u2019s.<\/p>
Change #1 \u2013 There will be increased focus on \u2018healthier products\u2019 and eliminating mold, mildew and doing battle vs. germs. \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>
Over the last few weeks, I\u2019ll bet you all the money in YOUR (dwindling) wallet you\u2019ve said to someone (or ended an email with) \u2018stay safe.\u2019 What\u2019s interesting is the last time our \u2018safety\u2019 was drawn into focus like this was after 9\/11. Most people today don\u2019t know if they have \u2018it,\u2019 (of course \u2018it\u2019 would be the Coronavirus) but they sure as heck know they don\u2019t want to get \u2018it\u2019\u2026 now or in the future. So how will this health and safety concern impact remodeling? Simple, products which make homes healthier and fight germs and bacteria will be hot.<\/p>
Perhaps it\u2019s installing laminate kitchen cabinets with nanotechnology to beat-down germs.
![\"Black](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Black-laminate-kitchen-using-nanotechnology-to-fight-germs.png\")
<\/p>Or it\u2019s eliminating grout in favor of decorative shower panels<\/a> to blow up nasty, moldy tile grout joints.
![\"decorative](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/decorative-laminate-shower-wall-panels-vs.-tile-for-no-grout.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>Change #2 \u2013 More growth in \u2018mini-me\u2019 remodeling. Small projects will grow better than big ones. <\/strong><\/h2>
While big projects aren\u2019t going away, the plummeting stock market, and (hopefully) temporary cash crunch will stay in people\u2019s mind long after the curve has been flattened.<\/p>
This will impact large-scale projects disproportionately (OK- I threw in that big word to make you think I\u2019m smart, is it working?). Homeowners will favor \u2018mini-me\u2019 remodels. \u00a0For example, they may choose to repair an alcove shower<\/a> vs. gutting the whole bathroom. They may look to reface kitchen cabinets vs. pulling everything out. Even with a stimulus check in hand \u2013people will be more conservative. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>
Smart remodelers won\u2019t shun \u2018mini-me\u2019 remodels. They won\u2019t get stuck in the mindset this job\u2019s too small. Some of the \u2018cockiness\u2019 in the (formerly) rock-n-roll remodeling industry will begin to chip off.
![\"Mini](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Mini-me-remodeling-focus-on-smaller-projects.jpg\")
<\/p>Change #3 \u2013 The home office will start to \u2018get more respect\u2019 (as Rodney Dangerfield would say) as a smart space to remodel <\/strong><\/h2>
If you\u2019re a company like Zoom, you (secretly) gotta\u2019 love the Coronavirus. There\u2019s nothing like state, local, regional governments telling people WORK FROM HOME \u2013 IMMEDIATELY!<\/p>
And you know what\u2019s going to happen out of this temporary spike in tele-work? Companies will find they don\u2019t need expensive downtown or \u2018class A\u2019 space for their team. More people will tele-work post-Coronavirus vs. pre-Coronavirus.<\/p>
This presents opportunities for remodeling and home organization companies<\/a> to grow.<\/p>
Will custom home office<\/a> spending rival kitchens and bathrooms? NO WAY. But crappy home offices and working out of dingy basements with bad lighting won\u2019t be acceptable solutions for a growing number of work-at-home people.
![\"Custom](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Custom-home-office-and-desk-systems-Columbusl.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>Change #4 \u2013 \u2018No touch\u2019 won\u2019t only apply to car washes any more. Virtual remodeling and home improvement appointments will save time and become the rage. <\/strong><\/h2>
Don\u2019t you love going through a touchless car wash? Don\u2019t you love seeing the fluffy and fresh-smelling purple and green foam covering your windows as your car gets washed. You love not needing to pull out rags and chamois to do it yourself. The car wash is touchless, it\u2019s effortless (for you) and it\u2019s cool.<\/p>
And just like you love touchless car washes, homeowners will start to love the \u2018touchless\u2019 (or virtual) appointments (just like Door-Dash deliveries or curb-side material service \u2013 see below) they\u2019ve experienced through the Coronavirus.<\/p>
Not only will the \u2018time-honored\u2019 tradition of shaking hands start going south, so will owners desire to do lengthy appointments with remodelers.<\/p>
More will want a \u2018touchless\u2019 experience. They\u2019ll want ones which are less hassle and time waiting for contractors to show up for appointments.
![\"Curbside](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Curbside-flooring-pick-up-service-Floor-and-Decor.png\")
<\/p>The \u2018virtual remodeling appointment<\/a>\u2019 has been born and won\u2019t be going away. While not everything can (or should) be done without seeing a property \u2013prospects will appreciate time-saving technology-driven design and sales approaches. Google Earth and Zoom meetings will become essential \u2018tools\u2019 in a progressive contractor\u2019s sales and marketing \u2018digital tool belt.\u2019
![\"Virtual](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Virtual-remodeling-appointments-Innovate-Building-Solutions.png\")
<\/a><\/p>Change #5 \u2013 \u2018Must do\u2019 projects will grow faster than the \u2018want to do\u2019 jobs. <\/strong><\/h2>
After this Coronavirus-lead body-slam to the economy people will \u2018bunker down\u2019 on spending. Remodeling will be the beneficiary of money which WASN\u2019T spent on planes, trains, automobiles and cruise ships in favor of germ-free \u2018staycations\u2019 and home improvements. However, with that being said, there will still be more focus on \u2018must do\u2019 projects than \u2018want to do\u2019 jobs.<\/p>
So, the leaky shower with nasty mold-infested grout joints will be on the \u2018must do\u2019 list. Repair work, handyman services and small project remodelers<\/a> will fare well in this environment.
![\"contractor](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/contractor-repairing-a-leak-smaller-jobs-.jpg\")
<\/p>However, the fancy-schmancy gourmet pantry could end up on the \u2018nice to do list.\u2019 Luxury remodelers will need to pivot to smaller jobs (see change #2) or risk hurt.<\/p>
Change 6 \u2013 Listen to Mom. Don\u2019t put all your eggs in one basket. Single sourcing is dangerous to your business. \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>
I don\u2019t know about you but during this downturn I have one single source supplier who shut down all together and another who was effectively shut down since 80% of their staff chose not to work. These situations caused a scramble.<\/p>
The question we all as remodelers (or material suppliers) must think about is what is our \u2018plan B\u2019 if \u2018plan A\u2019 crumbles overnight? Do we have a contingency plan if our A#1 (say that like you\u2019re in a Chinese restaurant) vendor cannot take care of us?<\/p>
If you don\u2019t have a plan B \u2013 now is the time to look for one. While it\u2019s nice to be \u2018loyal,\u2019 it could leave you \u2018flat-footed\u2019 with an empty \u2018product\u2019 bag.
![\"Don't](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Dont-put-eggs-in-one-basket-dont-single-sourc.jpg\")
<\/p>Change #7 \u2013 Focus on products which save time and require less skilled labor<\/strong><\/h2>
You and I must call it what it is. The remodeling process is a PAIN. We are an intrusion on people\u2019s lives. Even if we\u2019re the most organized, nicest, best communicating remodeler known to man or woman, your customers are still glad when you\u2019re \u2018out-of-there!\u2019 They\u2019re happiest when they can enjoy their new cool kitchen, bathroom or organized home office<\/a> (even without your smiling face \u2013 imagine that!).<\/p>
The remnants of the Coronavirus will make owners even happier when remodelers don\u2019t take forever to get jobs done.<\/p>
For smart remodeling contractors this will change product selections in 2 ways:<\/p>
- Quicker to install products will grow<\/strong>. Reducing TOJ (time on job) will have increased value. Consider these thoughts. Why should you continue tiling EVERYTHING \u2013 when you could get the look of tile with bathroom wall panels<\/a> installed in 1\/3 the time? Why should you \u2018stick build\u2019 an assembly when you can get it prefabricated and spend less time on the job?<\/li><\/ul>
![\"Installilng](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Installilng-time-saving-laminate-wall-panels-in-remodeling.png\")
<\/a><\/p>- We\u2019ll see less exotic custom products shipped from Europe and Asia<\/strong>. The desire for products made in the United States will be higher (who wants to wait for PPE from China now?). Products with dependable lead times (or stocked in the United States imported products) will be the \u2018ventilators\u2019 of remodeling projects to make sure your customer\u2019s aren\u2019t gasping for air, dying (OK \u2013 not literally) to have you out of their house!<\/li><\/ul>
Conclusion \u2013 I may not be a \u2018Remodeling Nostradamus,\u2019 but I\u2019ll guarantee these post-Coronavirus \u2018times are a changin\u2019 <\/strong><\/h2>
While you and I might wish life would return completely back to normal (as if the world-wide pandemic never occurred), that \u2018ain\u2019t happenin\u2019! You and I aren\u2019t the same. Our customers aren\u2019t the same. Living through our first (and hopefully last) pandemic will not soon be forgotten. \u00a0<\/p>
We are changed. Our customers have changed. Winning remodelers will change, adapt, pivot (use whatever term you\u2019d like) to win in a transformed world.<\/p>
What changes do you see \u2018a happenin\u2019 in our post-Coronavirus remodeling world? Where do you think I\u2019m spot on? Where do you think I\u2019m smoking that wacky tobacci\u2019 I (might) have \u2018smoked, (but not inhaled) back in my Carnegie-Mellon college days?<\/p>
I\u2019d love to read your comments below or call me and dish out your 2 cents worth.<\/p>
Whether you agree with me (partially or completely) there\u2019s only one thing I care the most for you (and for me). I wish you success in this brave new world (we have no chance) but to be livin\u2019 in!<\/p>
Mike<\/p>
###<\/p>
If you\u2019d like to talk to me about the remodeling world (post Corona), or about a cool new line of laminate wall panels<\/a> we\u2019re growing through our non-stocking remodeling dealer network<\/a> (hey \u2013 I\u2019ve got to pay the bills sometime) call 888-467-7488 and ask for Mike (or the slightly wacky guy who writes these articles). Thanks for reading (and sharing if you like the article)!<\/p>
- We\u2019ll see less exotic custom products shipped from Europe and Asia<\/strong>. The desire for products made in the United States will be higher (who wants to wait for PPE from China now?). Products with dependable lead times (or stocked in the United States imported products) will be the \u2018ventilators\u2019 of remodeling projects to make sure your customer\u2019s aren\u2019t gasping for air, dying (OK \u2013 not literally) to have you out of their house!<\/li><\/ul>
- Quicker to install products will grow<\/strong>. Reducing TOJ (time on job) will have increased value. Consider these thoughts. Why should you continue tiling EVERYTHING \u2013 when you could get the look of tile with bathroom wall panels<\/a> installed in 1\/3 the time? Why should you \u2018stick build\u2019 an assembly when you can get it prefabricated and spend less time on the job?<\/li><\/ul>
- Reason #4 \u2013 The Coronavirus will leave a path of destruction which will alter relationships which have existed for years \u2013 <\/strong>Not all suppliers will make it \u2018out the other end\u2019 through the rocky economic road of this virus. You will be forced to rethink who(m) you work with. You may need to change the products you buy and who(m) you buy them from.<\/li><\/ul>
- Reason #3 \u2013<\/strong> The \u2018desire\u2019 to have contractors give estimates, and to \u2018live through\u2019 long projects will be even lower than it was before \u2013 <\/strong>The larger the renovation project is, the more \u2018intrusive\u2019 it is to the lives of homeowners. And property owners (no matter what we like to think) didn\u2019t like us in their homes before the virus. Post-virus they\u2019ll be more concerned about sick contractors and diseases spreading. A new generation of germaphobes is being born. Owners will have less \u2018stomach\u2019 for long sales appointments and projects which feel like Eldon the Painter <\/em>from a re-run of Murphy Brown<\/em>.<\/li><\/ul>
- Reason #2 \u2013<\/strong> Your customers may be leery to take on expensive projects and purchases \u2013 <\/strong>Who could have predicted a problem like the Coronavirus impacting the world ALL AT THE SAME TIME? The word which comes to my mind is UNPRECEDENTED. This \u2018period of life\u2019 will be embedded on our \u2018permanent record\u2019 worse than getting caught trying to pull off a prank in Junior High School. This will make people more conservative with how they spend money (a mini version of the Depression). They will focus more on needs, than wants.<\/li><\/ul>