During a time of year when many people consider changes in their lives – both large and small – the big question most often seems to be how best to go about implementing that change. They may seek the best diet to help them shed a few pounds, the best doctor to help ensure their good health, or the best method to help them quit smoking. However, change doesn’t always have to refer to the self. Some people will seek to change the world around them – from a global aspect such as becoming more eco-conscious and doing their part to save the world, to a “closer to home” perspective such as altering their home environment to mold it to the needs and desires of their own unique family. While we can’t help you with the best diet for 2011 or the latest methods to quit smoking, the friendly folks at Highlight Home Restoration of Atlanta have compiled three surefire ways to find a qualified professional renovator to help you implement change within your own home.
1) Word of Mouth – According to a recent article in McKinsey Quarterly, the business journal for McKinsey & Company – a highly esteemed global management consulting firm – word of mouth represents the primary factor for up to 50% of consumer purchasing decisions. While companies may spend thousands to millions of dollars on flashy advertising and marketing campaigns, those who focus on delivering excellent customer service, quality and results will always come out on top. Word of mouth is a free and valuable resource, and – for Highlight Home Restoration – is representative of up to 75% of our business through referrals. When planning something as significant as a modification to your home, it’s wise to look to friends, family, neighbors, and business associates for advice regarding general contractors and professional renovators they have used in the past or have heard good things about. Take word of mouth one step further and visit the company website to see if their methods and philosophy fits with your own, examine the work they’ve done, and read all of the reviews and testimonials you can get your hands on. Perform a web search and look for any negative feedback, as well.
2) Professional Organizations – It is always wise to dig a little deeper in order to discover if the general contractor or design-build firm you are considering for your next home renovation or improvement project is above board and will not leave you standing in the midst of a half-finished home while they take off with your deposit. Some companies may take your project to completion, but their craftsmanship is shoddy, they may not have filed for all of the necessary permits, or they are not properly insured and licensed and your project may end up costing you far more than you originally planned in the long run. One way to guard against any of these scenarios from happening is to look into the company’s/contractor’s professional affiliations. If they have none, that’s probably not a good sign. Many of the professional builders organizations in Georgia and the United States require a membership fee to join as well as a review of business practices – in other words, they’ve already done a lot of the research for you. Highlight Homes and our renovation division Highlight Home Restoration are pleased to announce that we are members of the National Home Builders Association, Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (GAHBA), Certified Professional Home Builders of Georgia and the GAHBA’s Remodelers Council . Highlight Homes is also the proud recipient of the 28th annual Obie Award – a great honor in the highly revered Atlanta Home Market, in addition to being a certified Earth Craft House Builder, Energy Star Partner, and LEED Certified Home Builder – fully committed to protecting the environment by promoting green initiatives in both design and construction of the homes and home additions we create. We are also extremely thrilled with our recent 2010 distinction as a Better Business Bureau accredited business.
3) Check With a Local Real Estate Professional – Very rarely will you find a resource as valued as a local realtor or broker when searching for a qualified remodeler. These folks often have their finger on the pulse of the latest trends and best return on investment for most remodeling projects and frequently have a direct line to a skilled contractor or design-build firm. Highly revered Atlanta real estate agent and broker, Zana Dillard of the award-winning Dillard & Company Realty Group, suggests that a real estate professional can be a terrific resource for finding a skilled remodeler for both home buyers and sellers alike. “When a buyer purchases a resale property, they usually want to update the kitchen and bathrooms throughout the home. Also, they tend to want to open up the living space by removing walls and/ or finishing out the terrace level,” explains Dillard. “(On the other hand) Prior to placing their home on the market, we inform our Sellers that they need to devote their energy on getting their home ‘show ready’. That means their home needs to be up to today’s standards in order to compete competitively in this market. For example: adding granite countertops, tile to the bathrooms and kitchen, painting the interior/ exterior of home, replacing the fixtures, repair and maintenance work, etc. A real estate professional is able to assist their clients with finding a qualified remodeler to complete the specified work.”
At Highlight Homes and Highlight Home Restoration, we are pleased to offer a wealth of “word of mouth” resources thanks in large part to our 25 years in the architectural design, remodeling and building industries, as well as our unswerving commitment to delivering quality craftsmanship and an incomparable client experience. We have worked hard to build a solid reputation in the Atlanta market through our professional affiliations and relationships with local real estate professionals, just like Zana Dillard of Dillard & Company Realty Group. We encourage you to do some research of your own when seeking a professional remodeler for your personal home improvement project, and we invite you to call on us when you’re ready to pare down the list for the right company to complete the job. We will be happy to discuss your project with you, and submit a bid for your consideration. The talented team at Highlight Home Restoration can be contacted by calling 678.873.9234, e-mailing info@highlighthomesga.com, or filling out our convenient online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Zana Dillard – Operating Partner/Associate Broker of Dillard & Company Realty Group in Atlanta has personally closed more than $100 million in residential sales since 1998. In addition to being a Georgia Realtor Institute Certified Agent, Licensed Associate Broker, and Senior Marketing Specialist, Dillard is the President of Homes of Distinction, a luxury program presented by Keller Williams. She is also an International Real Estate Specialist, a Multi-Million Dollar Producer, a Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Club since 1998, a Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Guild and has received the distinction of being listed in the Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate. More than 30 Fortune 500 companies entrust their corporate relocations to the award-winning real estate group she founded, Dillard & Company. An Accredited Relocation Specialist and Certified Luxury Home Specialist, Dillard is an expert at easing a client’s transition into or out of the Atlanta metro area.
Source: McKinsey Quarterly – April 2010 – Bughin, J., Doogan, J. and Vetvik, O.J. “A New Way to Measure Word of Mouth Marketing” http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/A_new_way_to_measure_word-of-mouth_marketing_2567