Store Front Vs. Home Based Remodeling Biz.

OPAL

Hello. This is my first post...but I have been a reader for quite some time!
What are the thoughts for taking a successful Home/Office based exterior remodeling business to a store front? It seems like it has its pros & cons....but I am concerned about the overhead? Is it worth it?

SLSTech

At least you location is in your profile... do we get an intro?

1 quick question to see if you are ready - can you afford to have someone sit in the store at all times, during normal business hours (At minimum Mon through Saturday 9 to 5?)

You also have to calculate out your rent, building ins., new phone lines, internet access, utilities, etc...

1 other item - hire a professional to scout out a location for you. If the demographics, access points & everything don't work out right, you might as well leave it at your house

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APC

This also should be a good selling point? especially if your demographic area are retirees/senior citizens. I think your potential client would feel more confident in choosing a contractor working out of a storefront compared to out of a vehicle they see pulling up in their driveway. What do you guy's think?

Grumpy

Do a search in this foruma s this has been discussed many times.

IMO there should be a seperation of business and personal life. IMO there should be a business location for your business, otherwise it's just your hobby. That's how I feel but I know alot of guys have and will continue to agree with me.

I started in my home but with the goal of moving out as soon as monetarily possible. I have been in 3 offices since, each one larger and larger.

How can you have employees workign for you, working out of your basement? Your neighbor's will probably get pissed at all the cars parking taking up spots. What about your customers who want to stop bye and say hi? What about a pissed of wife when your garage is crammed packed with materials and tools?

I definetly agree with APC. Probably if you are a subcontractor a builder would prefer you have less overhead, so it depends on your target audience.

SLS why does someone need to sit there at all times? A little sign on the door "offie hours by appointment only". Typically at my office someone is there every morning all morning, but in the afternoon we are all out in the field, and with my assistant being part time she's gone too.

fez-head

Getting an office and a secretary has been our best move yet for building even more trust and credibility......BUT we are located directly across the street from our lumberyard so that is a big factor as well.

I say pick the best location that you can afford and go for it

Winchester

It is my goal to get out of the house.

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Ryan

SLSTech

Good point, and it depends on your target market and the location where your at. I took it the way that he stated that he wanted a store front style to mean an actual stop on in & look as compared to a Commercial shop with a showroom available by appointment only.

Based off a store front model - I would personally like people to stop by and browse at their convenience, or to simply stop by because the wifes been bugging me, etc... Its also great to have someone there to actually answer the phone, instead of always letting it go to voice mail.

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Winchester

I agree.

If I had the storefront, I'd want it to be open during the day, and possibly saturday (since most people work during the week). I think I'd like a tuesday-saturday work week.

A nice showroom area and a friendly person inside to answer phones, greet customers and answer questions would be great.

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Ryan

OPAL

Thanks for the rsponses! FYI.....I am the wife! I have taken my husbands idea of the business and applied all that I know to it! I love being a part of our company and want to see it grow. We have salesmen that meet and woe clients and once a customer is to the point that they want to come to our home office....I am not ashamed at all because I am proud of what we offer. However....I see growth for the company = office. I am so tired of vendors stopping by without any anouncement! However......2008 was a great year NOT to have the overhead. I think 2009 will be another trying year.....but with success. But...wow...the overhead costs will be noticable.

simplejack

Well I have to say I've had both, but I'm much happier working from home.
I've converted my garage into my personal space and a very nice office. Less overhead expenses, and cost expenditures such as travel time, additional maintenance, and utility bills.

But then again my business is zero foot traffic, and I have a patient and mostly supportive wife and Kids, plus the space, thats important too. Most of my contact with vendors is on the job site or over the phone and mail. People don't really come by all that often, so granted this all goes into your decision making.

If you can build on your property, and make things more comfortable, and accessible then you should keep your home office, after all your never really "off" the clock right? However, if you don't have the space, your really somtimes working off the kitchen table but are worried about expenses, You may benefit from a storefront more than enough to offset costs. Sure it will be difficult adjusting for a few months, but if your location permits you should see a mark increase in business, in which case you should go for it!

Whatever the decision, you two are VERY lucky to want to work as a team and you enjoy more of an advantage already than most of us!

Great job for being so involved in each others interest, and Good Luck!

Vince_B

This might be a good year to wait on the move because of the economy. On the other hand it would also be a good year to get cheap rent.

tcleve4911

Also a good year to invest in a piece of property that needs work and will only increase in value. This is not the time to pay RENT!!!!!!

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modterry

I have had both the showroom and the home office.

1) Showroom - it is expensive, rent, overhead, maintenance etc. When you have a retail location you are expected to be open. The showroom has to be manned at all times. We had an old home remodeled with kitchen vignettes- it was very impressive. What happened is we started asking customers if we could come over and show our work inside their homes.

No doubt you can find space very reasonable in this economy.
How much will it cost to present your finishes ? besides the office part.

Here is a suggestion:

1) Consider having an executive suite - rent a small office or none at all.
Have your phones answered by the suite.
Use the Executive suite's conference room to show your wares.
Prepare nice boards of your examples.

2) Invest in a Mobile Showroom - a trailer, van or a small cottage ( we are in the process ) that can be outfitted showing your wares
You can bring the presentation to them - It acts like a billboard when moving
Rent a parking spot - on a busy location when not in use.
Have great signage

This way - you have no long term rent committments
You don't have to man it 60 hours / week
In this economy would be lower overhead cost.

Make up Sample Walls - show your siding, windows, trims, roofing etc - Maybe put them on castors / rollers - You could use these at trade shows , etc.

Find & Contact Paul - Goes by "Silversmith" in this forum - he is doing some really creative things with his business. He has lots of great ideas.

Spend your money on marketing - Not overhead.

Best to you,

Terry

silvertree

Good morning
Its Silvertree, my mobile showroom is parked right now. Too cold, but I'll have that figured out by next winter.
I too had a street showroom. I can tell you this, there are so many showrooms that its become common. People are starved for time, so if you come out to see them you are very welcome.
I have a complete sample selection in my showroom and everybody loves it. heres a photo

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