Check out these 5 trends in the renovation space to separate you from the pack in the coming years
It should shock no one that I believe in innovation and progress in the skilled trades. As the founder of The Project Garage, I really believe that old techniques can be enhanced with new delivery models, new ways of learning, and different ways of connecting. Technology is changing the way that we learn, and how we serve people.
But for so many tradespeople, the end of school was the end of school, and they are resistant to learn new skills. While getting educated in the fundamentals is critical, being open to continuing education and specialization is what will moves people to the top of the pack in business. So check out these 5 trends going into 2024, guaranteed to help grow your business, and set you apart from your competitors.
1. Aging in Place Design
With an aging population, there's a growing focus on renovations that cater to older adults' needs. This includes installing features like grab bars, wider doorways, no-step showers, and lever-style handles to make homes more accessible and safer for seniors.
Whether you take a Schluter course which allows you to create beautiful curbless showers, or get a designation in "Certified Aging In Place" from the Canadian Home Builders' Association, having knowledge about how to make homes functional for people with physical disabilities or age related needs is a trend that's not going away anytime soon.
And guess what else. People don't want those accessible designs to be ugly or clunky anymore. If you can make a home both functional and beautiful, you will never be out of work. Couple this specialization with the fact that homeowners may be able to access government grants for some upgrades or repairs, and you can guarantee that there will be demand for this type of work for years to come.
2. Eco-Friendly Renovations
Sustainability is a massive trend, leading to eco-conscious renovations. This involves using recycled or sustainable materials, installing energy-efficient appliances, incorporating solar panels, and implementing designs that reduce a home's carbon footprint.
Like the aging in place trend, there are also many government grants associated with making your home more energy efficient, so people will be able to access money for those upgrades.
There are so many micro credentials you can get in this regard, there is no reason not to up-skill. Electricians who also specialize in solar, or carpenters who understand cutting edge building envelope techniques are just a few of the people who will be in demand in the years to come. So get on the eco-train. It has already left the station!
3. Smart Home Integration
When I leave my home, there is nothing I can't control. I can open or lock my door with my August lock, control my Fujitsu heat pump remotely on it's app as well as my baseboard heat with my Mysa app. I have cameras monitoring my property and lights both on timers and apps. I don't do those things just to be cool. For me it is a combination of function, safety, and energy savings. I can keep my house cool while I am out, and turn the heat and lights on before I come home, saving me unnecessary heating, cooling, or lighting costs while the house is empty. I also like the security of knowing who is in or around my home, as well as being able to open the door for people like, dog walkers or repair people to name a couple.
Renovations often involve integrating smart home technology. This includes installing smart thermostats, automated lighting, security systems, and voice-activated assistants, allowing homeowners to control various aspects of their homes remotely.
Houses are going to integrate technology more and more. It will make homes more efficient, safer, and healthier. Specializing in this could be incredibly profitable for your business.
4. Open Concept Living
This has been the preference for a while, but when coupled with our aging population and the need for more accessible design, this becomes even more relevant.
Many renovations focus on creating open and flexible living spaces. This involves removing walls to create seamless transitions between the kitchen, dining area, and living room, promoting a sense of spaciousness and better social interaction.
Let's just say that building a house, or renovating a space will no longer be enough. It's not simply about the space, but it's function. So understanding how people will use a space will become critical to your success. It's expensive to renovate, so people are demanding more when they decide to take the plunge. Taking courses on how to create spaces that actually work for people will have you in demand at all times. Many tradespeople can build, or tear down a wall, but fewer tradespeople take the time to work with the client to make suggestions about how it will change the light, or take away a space for storage or hanging a TV.
In order to get to the next level, you must become the kind of pro who exceeds expectations.
5. Wellness-Oriented Spaces
There's a rising interest in creating wellness-focused areas within homes. This includes dedicated spaces for yoga or meditation, improved indoor air quality through better ventilation systems, and using natural elements like plants and natural light to enhance well-being.
These trends reflect evolving consumer preferences and changing lifestyles, influencing the direction of home renovations toward more functional, sustainable, and comfortable living spaces.
You can thank COVID for the acceleration of this trend. Having everyone jammed at home for two years meant that people were building home gyms, spas, offices, pools, you name it. But realistically, the trend is here to stay. People have taken a greater interest in their health, and they want to do that at home. So adding a specialty in home office construction, or cold plunge pool installations can do nothing but benefit you. This way, you can capture the 'general jobs', but also become the defacto go-to when people are looking for something specific.
Remember to solve for rich peoples problems. Why? Cause they are rich and want specialists. There's no better job security than that.
So welcome to 2024! And remember that the riches are in the niches. Keep learning and specializing, and see you revenues soar in the years to come. Make this the year you separate yourself from the pack, and build yourself a business which embraces both the old and the new. You won't regret it.
© The Project Garage 2023
Commenti