Home Plans - Home Designs - House Plans - House Designs - Floor Plans - Blueprints - Architecture - Dream House - Dream Home
Jump to the DBI Home Page Jump To HerHome.com
You must have JavaScript enabled and Macromedia Flash installed to properly view this web site.
Home Plan Search General Information Home Buyers Home Builders / Developers Alternative Construction
  home > Articles > Builder Strategies > Upselling with Upgrades
Coming Soon!

How can you increase sales, profits and customer satisfaction at the same time? Let Design Basics help you adopt a woman-centric approach to products and upgrades.

The Opportunity: We begin by creating packages of complementary products to help your female homebuyer consider items she would truly be interested in, but might otherwise overlook! Themed around her hot-button issues, product benefits are carefully woven into the presentation of these upgraded products.

Why Buyers Like This Approach:

  • Pre-priced upgrade packages allow your buyer understand her new home investment better. Ultimately, more in control, gaining confidence in you, her builder.
  • In guiding her through the process, you reduce and ease the time pressures associated with product selections. By helping her make wise, informed decisions, also reduce her fear of making poor choices.
 

Benefits to You, the Builder: This approach ensures consistent delivery of information regarding the options. In addition to helping establish and clarify a buyer’s expectations, it streamlines your pricing and product ordering processes.

By design, you make it as easy as possible for the buyer to say “yes,” resulting in higher, more profitable sales.

Design Basics’ insight into her home buying behavior can help make this opportunity a reality for you. This woman-centric approach uniquely – and favorably – positions you as a builder who not only understands, but anticipates, what women want!

 

Upgraded Option Package Theme Examples:

Stress-Free Homes relates to the #1 most compelling issue for women – managing and reducing stress in their lives. For example, ‘The Spa Bath’ would include amenities such as: a soaking and/or jetted tub, plus an oversize shower with multiple showerheads, a seat and inset niches for soaps, shampoos, etc. (walk-in shower with no door preferred).

Split vanities with one at a lower height for her, an ultra-quiet bath exhaust fan, individually controlled lighting to help set different moods, linen and storage organizers and a comfortable make-up space can all help her de-stress. Other packages might include themes such as ‘The Master Retreat’ with special ceiling treatments, a breakfast bar and a built-in entertainment center; and ‘ Serenity’ which would focus on a quiet HVAC system, insulated interior walls in the bedrooms and a quieter dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, etc.

‘Flexibility’ has to do with how the home accommodates present as well as future needs. It may involve simple remodeling in the future. For example,
the floor plan below (the Redmond, #43035-33A-01) shows an open flex room that could easily be used as a formal dining area. A little drywall and French doors can transform this space into your ‘Den/Home Office’ option.

‘The Third Bedroom’ option would also add a closet while ‘The Media Room’ option would include soundproofing, advanced lighting controls and special wiring. Another flexibility theme is ‘Inclusive (accessible) Design,’ which makes a home more “visitable” for everyone. This package could feature wider
halls and doors, no-step entries, pull-out shelving in the kitchen and adjustable height cabinet/countertops.

It should come as no surprise that in most households, “she” plans most of the entertaining. Take the kitchen – which oftentimes becomes her #1 entertaining space in the home.
In ‘The Entertaining Kitchen’ package you might include: a pantry organizer; roll-out drawers, wastebaskets and recycling centers; upgraded countertops; a warming drawer; nicer appliances; a second oven and sink; glass-front display cabinets; plus attractive and easy-to-clean flooring, sinks and faucets.

Entertaining packages could also include ‘The Grand First Impression,’ dealing with upgraded exterior products such as stucco and stone or fiber-cement siding, ‘The Elegant Foyer’ with upgraded flooring and moldings, ‘Hearth and Home’ with distinctive fireplace treatments and ‘Outdoor Living’ including composite decking, upgraded porch railing, etc.

Better Living themes focus on energy efficient, healthier, stronger/safer and environmentally friendly homes. For example, the ‘Safe and Secure’ package might offer pinch-resistant garage doors, ANSI-rated exterior locks, hail and high wind-resistant roof shingles, etc.

Storage is enormously important. The storage solutions you offer reflect your understanding of what women want! GarageTek, Gladiator, Rubbermaid and Schulte all offer garage systems you could offer as part of ‘The Organized Garage.’ Its companion upgrade package, ‘The Well-Organized House’ would focus on closet systems; laundry and linen storage; a drop zone for keys, mail, and cell phones; as well as long-term storage.

From style and aesthetics to everyday living to high performance homes, Design Basics can help you establish and favorably communicate standards and specifications for your homes, including product recommendations. Then, oftentimes working with your same preferred vendors, we can create the option and upgrade packages that help make her dream home a reality! Call the Business Development team at Design Basics for a free initial consultation on developing a woman-centric approach to products and upgrades!


Originally Printed in "2006 SPEC BUILD" Magazine Published by Design Basics, Inc.


Back

| HOME | ABOUT US | SITE MAP | PLAN SEARCH | WHAT'S NEW | COPYRIGHT | FAQ'S | BOOK STORE | ARTICLES |
| CONTACT US | NEWSLETTER | MEDIA ROOM | FIND A BUILDER | CURRENT POLL | PLAN ALTERATIONS | LINKS |

| CRAFTSMAN HOME PLANS | COUNTRY FRENCH HOME PLANS | FARM HOUSE HOME PLANS | COLONIAL HOME PLANS |
| MEDITERRANEAN HOME PLANS | VICTORIAN HOME PLANS | EUROPEAN HOME PLANS |
| HISTORICAL HOME PLANS | FRENCH ECLECTIC HOME PLANS | BOOMER FRIENDLY HOME PLANS |

Find Your Design

OR Use Our
Comprehensive Plan Search
© 1995-2006 Design Basics, Inc. All rights reserved. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Design Basics is a trademark of Design Basics Inc. Other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. This site has been optimized for Internet Explorer 4.0 or later.