Question by RED CHIC: Marketing my interior design business to Contractors?
I am an Interior Designer who would like to specialize in helping contractors design new homes (presold or spec). I currently work for a design center that offers cabinets, carpet, tile, hardood & slab countertops. I feel that I could be a single source for a contractor to go to for design help (since a lot of them don’t want to deal with this end of it). I could also select paint colors, appliances, lighting & plumbing fixtures.
I would love any ideas on how to market contractors!
Best answer:
Answer by David, Why?
Good Idea, Erika!
My late mother really broke into that market when she did a “Street of Dreams” home. This is where high end contractors build a number of spec homes and dress them to the hilt. They get more “lookers” and therefore, future contracts. Mom got a great deal of exposure, too and formed a relationship with that builder that lasted a lifetime.
Check with any/all building contractor organizations in the area, or large Realtors or perhaps even Building Supply centers. I believe the one she was involved with, was arranged through a large Realtor, who owned a large plot they were subdividing… The Street of Dreams was at the front and the rest of the lots were “for sale”.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
To do that you need to have your own consulting business in addition to your job. It is not fair to your employers for you to be selecting something like lighting, which they don’t sell on their time. You need a business licence, a business name, and a cell phone. Go and talk to contractors personally. I donated my time to decorate some show homes to raise money for our hospital foundation. That is how I made some good contacts, by talking to the contractor in the various phases of construction. Both builders have high end clientele and have recommend my services to them, and both have used my services in the decorating of their own homes. Good luck.