July 20, 2021
Eyes4Research
DIY home improvements have been steadily increasing over the past few years, thanks in part to the pandemic. Spending more time at home, consumers have had more opportunities to see potential home improvement projects.
From something as simple as hanging art to an elaborate kitchen renovation, you can do almost anything yourself. A study from Harvard University on home remodeling suggests that the recent uptick of DIY home improvement trend is not sustainable, and will decrease to normal levels in the future. The study points out that the overall home improvement market will remain strong in the future.
What happens when a DIY home project suddenly becomes too complex? Turning to a specialized contractor is the logical next step. Finding the right contractor is not as simple as it sounds though. Word of mouth is typically a smart way to go, but what if you can’t find a personal recommendation? Reviews and history can say a lot and sometimes serve as a good alert for potential red flags.
Below are some good tips and guidelines to follow when hiring a contractor for your next DIY home project.
Never Stop at the First Estimate
Collecting multiple estimates from various contractors is prudent and allows for insight into how each contractor plans to do the job based on the rate provided. This provides multiple options to analyze whether the estimate is fair and honest from your desired contractor for your DIY home project.
Most people go by the rule of 3 when gathering estimates from various contractors. It never hurts to have just one more because that next estimate may be from the ideal contractor.
Do Your Research
Checking the legal status of a prospective contractor is very telling and can alert you to potential red flags. It’s certainly better to find out beforehand if a contractor has a bad payment history with vendors and clients alike.
Another item to check off the list when researching a potential contractor is whether or not they are licensed, insured, and bonded. Bonding is an added layer of insurance which provides evidence that the contractor is serious about finishing the project.
Local contractors are a solid way to go because they are privy to any permit requirements in their area. Asking potential contractors about what local permits are required is a good way to test their knowledge and honesty. A local contractor is also more likely to do a better job on your home project since they also rely on referral business.
Never Pay Upfront
Some contractors will want a deposit to start the project, but never pay in full before the project starts. Review the estimate carefully to ensure everything outlined for work is mutually agreed upon. Moreover, make sure to have a contract in place before any work starts on your DIY home project.
Clear communication with Contractor
Set expectations with the contractor about work hours. When clear expectations are set and ‘house rules’ shared, both you and the contractor know what to expect. Deciding the work hours ahead of time are important because you don’t want the contractor showing up 3 hours before you planned, or two hours later than you scheduled. Clear communication keeps both parties happy and the working relationship harmonious.
In the end, as the folx at Popular Mechanics usually say, “Go With Your Gut”. If you have any experience working with a contractor and want to share some tips, please leave a comment below!
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July 20, 2021
Eyes4Research
Playing catch-up with the market trends? 2021 is well underway although the pandemic still impacts life and some days it’s difficult to know which year we are in let alone which month. The top digital marketing trends though have, of necessity, ballooned during lockdowns and Covid-19 restrictions and it’s even more imperative to get on board now. Here are 4 of those trends set to intensify this year:
Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Not so many years ago this was the stuff of science fiction but now is an established and valued part of marketing. AI is likely to continue to reduce costs, speed up and increase productivity and help companies steal a march on other competitors. Customers expect companies to realize what they want so AI-powered marketing can not only curate but also anticipate those needs with speed and a high degree of accuracy. Personalization is frequently mooted as the keystone to successful 21st century marketing. AI developments are helping personalize all areas of eCommerce – websites, social media, emails, videos and so on (q.v). The implementation of all new relevant advancements in AI technology cannot be ignored by any individual marketer, company or industry.
Personalization.
As noted above, personalization is key right now to successful marketing. Looking at the stats analyzed by Single Grain, a prime digital marketing agency, consumers have been overblasted with generic advertising. Customers are more likely to respond to companies that offer personalized experiences. At the beginning of 2020 some experts were advising marketers to beware of overhyping personalization, probably wisely at the time – but Covid-19 happened, things shifted, and eCommerce just got bigger. Consumers expect interaction with brands understanding their interests and supplying their purchasing needs. Feedback from consumers is an important aspect of campaigns used effectively by such massively successful giants as Amazon and Netflix to influence sales and create algorithms for future personalized marketing strategies.
Video Marketing.
Videos undoubtedly boost consumer confidence. In simple terms, customers want to see what it is they are being asked to purchase, or what they are interested in buying. Enforced home-based life in the last year has only encouraged this trend. Forbes suggests that short videos with quick edits are growing in popularity and effective business tools, moving up from former youth-oriented to all-age target groups. Yet all types of video content seem to be lapped up by consumers at the moment with many marketers now focusing on using Live video to grow their businesses. As such, video optimization is also becoming increasingly important with YouTube and other channels putting out guides on video SEO expecting this trend to continue for years to come.
Influencer Marketing.
This trend is predicted to just get bigger this year and onwards. Brands have been adopting this method using big names and celebrities to promote their products, increasingly using videos to reach audiences. This year the move is more towards real-life users in peer groups such as mums or pet owners to appeal to consumers.
These marketing trends have all been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and are likely to continue for some time but life back in the outside world may yet bring more new influences.