17 / 04 / 2015
Ian Davis, our Sales Director has looked at a few key areas of investment for homeowners since the March Budget.
“With the Chancellor’s final budget before the election now well out of the way, some of the ramifications will undoubtedly become a focus for a while across many industries. For the housing market there will certainly be many people looking to get onto the property ladder in the new ‘walking tall’ Britain, where they will undoubtedly benefit from the new ‘help-to-buy’ ISA. A great support for first time buyers where the government will now add £50 to every £200 they put away as part of a deposit.
Boosting the housing market has been central to the coalition government’s efforts to stimulate economic recovery for quite some time. Certainly there will be more fluid cashflow to consider as both new homeowners and those looking to move, will evaluate their properties and make subsequent investments into the areas that will give true added value.
For frameXpress it has always been imperative to give customers more than just an end product, preferring instead to offer a range that provides total reassurance in terms of performance, safety and durability.
Total Reassurance
Being able to offer homeowners lasting guarantees about the complete product without hidden added extras has helped customers to gain ground. Frequently, home security has proven a major selling point that has led to repeat referrals for many frameXpress customers.
Incorporating premium products such as Yale and thumbturn locking systems gives the sales approach an advantage with these already incorporated into the finished product cost. Furthermore, industry standards such as PAS 24 and Secured By Design provide consumers with added assurance and complete peace of mind.
Whilst covering basic security aspects may seem almost unnecessary for some, for many of our customers, advising on aspects of security has been the difference in winning or losing deals. This could become more important as the home improvement market gathers momentum.
Beyond the obvious aspects of not leaving windows open or unlocked anywhere in the house, there are important points regarding the products which wise consumers buy into when purchasing. Explaining the difference in window options from double to triple glazing and the safety aspects these provide, as well as the Security standards that put burglars off, impresses the homeowners when making the pitch.
The frameXpress window range has been developed with security being as important as thermal efficiency, which has helped to reinforce customers’ business profiles when approaching homeowners.
Care In The Community
The company is contracted to supply various styles on a wide range of projects, where consideration has to be given to potentially vulnerable people, such as hospitals and schools. Customers therefore rely upon the integrity of the products and associated guarantees when approaching the end users.
Likewise door security continues to play a big part too in respect of entrances and house renovation, as the market looks to gear up for a boost. Whether at the front, rear or side of properties, without doubt the Secured By Design standard as well as other industry accreditations, gives added benefits when discussing security guarantees.
Equally, garden rooms, sun rooms and conservatories, with their dynamic but open style design, have the potential to leave consumers a little concerned about security. These worries have been minimised by framexpress customers who have been able to reinforce the safety aspects that are incorporated into the company’s striking patio and bifold door options, making them a popular choice with home buyers looking to add a stylish addition to their renovation projects.
The premium production standards combined with superior locking systems that are incorporated into the company’s composite doors also have made our range easy to sell to those looking for optimum security on their property.
Grasping The Benefits
Homeowners need to understand the benefits of the technical advantages to installing products such as composite doors. Small and simple aspects such as ensuring the doors and frames are thick and solid with substantial hinges and advanced multi-point locking systems makes the difference in winning or losing a sale.
While many consumers will choose a door based on its appearance and the glass panels that can be incorporated, our customers are gaining increased sales due to the PAS 23 and 24 certification guarantees.
Understanding that customers need to be able to provide end users with facts and features that will induce trust and ultimately sales, are facts which remain a pivotal part of the customer satisfaction guarantees for the frameXpress team.
Moving Forward
The industry is moving forward steadily, and post- election rising property values will continue to compensate for stagnating earnings and further fuel consumer spending, perhaps because the government incentives and rising prices will make home-owners in general feel richer. That is great news for this industry, where renovation will help to reinforce Britain’s continuing housing recovery.”