Episode 44 - Social Media Savvy: Elevating Contractor Visibility, Building Trust, and Perfecting Bathroom Remodels in Home Design

Unlock the transformative power of social media with our latest discussion featuring marketing maven Asia, who reveals why skipping out on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok is a big no-no for contractors aiming to thrive. If you're ready to bolster your online presence, gain trust, and stand out in the competitive construction market, this episode is your blueprint to success. We dissect the distinctive benefits of each social media platform, from the visual appeal of Instagram to the community-centric vibe of Facebook and the playful energy of TikTok. Learn how to leverage these digital tools not just to showcase your craftsmanship but to weave a story that resonates with your audience and turns followers into clients.

This conversation goes beyond pixels and hashtags; we put a spotlight on the personal touches that define excellence in contractor supervision and bathroom remodeling. By introducing you to our top-notch featured contractors, we share the art of building client rapport through transparency and personalized service, like sending a text with a crew member's photo before they arrive. Plus, join Adam and me in our Shop Talk segment, where we unpack the nitty-gritty of guiding a bathroom remodel from concept to stunning completion. From the importance of a consistent vision to the allure of turnkey projects, we cover the strategic moves that ensure client satisfaction and project success without having them sweat the small stuff. Tune in, and get ready to level up your home design game!

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

The Homebuilding and Remodeling Show. Let's go. Welcome everybody to the Homebuilding and Remodeling Show. My name is Chris Kirby and I'll be your host. I am the owner of three construction companies on the Alabama Gulf Coast. The show is about residential construction. We're going to cover topics of homebuilding and remodeling. Are you thinking of doing a remodel or building a home? Are you a contractor looking to improve your knowledge base or grow your business? Have you ever done a remodel project or built a home? There were so many things you wish you knew or that you could have done differently during the process. Then this show is for you. We break down the process of building and remodeling and how to have the best results during your project. Whether you are a DIYer looking for tips, someone looking to hire a contractor to do a project, or a contractor looking to expand your knowledge base or your business, welcome aboard. Glad to have you. Stay tuned. We kick off the show with my thoughts on homebuilding and remodeling. I'll share best practices and talk about some of our experiences in business and out in the field. These shared thoughts and lessons learned are meant to help you on your very own journey. Let's go. Welcome back everybody.

Speaker 1: 1:28

This is our first show of the year and we've got an exciting lineup. We've got a couple of custom builders coming in, but we wanted to kick off the new year the right way and we wanted to kick it off talking about marketing, and here at the Kirby companies We've recently hired a director of marketing, asia. That's who I have today. Welcome, asia. Thanks for deciding to come on about five minutes ago, absolutely so, you know.

Speaker 1: 1:56

We wanted to talk about your good at social media marketing and that's where kind of your background is, even though you do marketing in general and in the contracting world there's a little bit of give and take. So a lot of old school contractors will say, well, if you're good at your craft and you've been around enough, you don't need to market yourself at all, much less on social media or anything but calls will come in, the leads will come in. But that's just not true. In this day and age, where anybody can pick up a hammer, call themselves a contractor and start earning work. It really does take away from your value as a contractor. No matter how long you've been doing it, you're going to have new up and comers that are out there putting themselves out there, project in their brand and we do a good job here.

Speaker 1: 2:49

But we have outgrown my capabilities to just do short form videos and Keep up with foreign afters and different things that we do to keep putting ourselves out here at the Kirby companies, and that's what I brought you in for. We had a working relationship and just watching you perform and do things on social media that I couldn't do or Didn't want to dedicate the proper amount of time right but is a time thing, it is a knowledge thing. Managing social media and doing marketing it's a, it's a profession and To project the image that you want. You may not know what's best. Can you talk to me about maybe some of the ways that if, because you own your own company, you own social partner, and first let's talk about the, the Social media and how social media marketing can work for Anybody, but specifically for a contractor which is a service-based business?

Speaker 2: 3:53

So social media is is such a great tool, I think now Obviously utilized now more than ever. Yeah, in this digital age, we are always progressing, so it's always changing, and staying on top of it is Probably should be at the forefront of your mind as a contractor, just because you are service-based and, with that being said, your product is ultimately seen through visuals, photo, video, and being able to have a representation online is super, super important. The first thing that people are gonna do is hop online to see you know what your work looks like. And then, not only that, but what kind of reviews do you have? The rapport that you have with the community around you, prior clients and whatnot. Being able to post the content that you have, the work that you're doing, is Incredibly important. But also, I are now if, if anything, you're gonna get left behind. Yeah, people are going to Ultimately view your competitors More than they're viewing you. If you're, if you're not, online, well, you hit something you said.

Speaker 1: 5:01

Not only did you say you'll get left behind if you're not on social media and some people have their push and pull with social media. They don't want to be on there and they've got a sometimes a negative connotation. But, like for me, I use that for business right, especially like a Facebook. Instagram is very visual, tiktok is more fun, you know, but if you're not doing it, somebody else is right. And then for me it's also transparency. So if you are putting yourself out there in a proper manner online, then you know you are being transparent and like we do how-to's and we do like journeys through the progress of a construction job. But to me it just it makes you more transparent with what you do, and you know we're trying to fight this.

Speaker 1: 5:53

Sometimes the word contractor is View negatively because you know people have had bad experiences. They've had money taken, deposits taken, work not performed different things. And so you know, contractor for us, creating awareness and being open and transparent. We can do that through our marketing and that that makes people feel better when they hire us. And Can you talk to the specific Platforms? So if, if a contractor Is or designer is watching this, can you talk about what the appropriate approach to each platform would be so like Facebook or Insta. Do you have any recommendations as, as far as which one is is geared towards kind of what audience?

Speaker 2: 6:44

Okay, I would say, obviously, each platform is very distinct in its own way. Yeah, especially regarding algorithms and how content is not only viewed but also Ultimately sorted out. Depending on the algorithm, it's going to be sorted out to certain demographics. But, with that said, through social media, regardless of what strategy or tactic you take, I'm gonna speak to what you said Ultimately transparency. This is a way to showcase your business, showcase how you're doing it different and, ultimately, the goal is to show how you're doing business better.

Speaker 1: 7:22

This is our contractor shout-out segment. We are going to pick 40 contractors a month that tag their business page in our post on the home building and remodeling show Facebook page. And this month we have with us Hope Property Services in Irwin, north Carolina, jester Masonry and Chatham, ontario, canada. Arnaldi Painting in Holden, missouri. Atc Property Maintenance in Glenwood, iowa. Thank you all for commenting on the monthly post. We will do another post next month. Like, subscribe and share our Facebook page and hopefully you get a shout out next time. So we're continuing on with number 11 of the top 20 questions you should ask your contractor before starting a project or hiring them. And number 11 is who will be on site and who will be the on-site supervisor. So this is an important question because you want to know who's going to be in your house and you want to know who's going to be supervising the work. It's smart for you to understand that because the owner of the company may not be the one actually on site doing the work, but they are ultimately still accountable for the overall product and the quality of the job. You need to know who will be the on-site supervisor and what their qualifications and skills are, and just kind of dig in on that point. Just to make sure you know who's coming and going in your house and then who to talk to on a day to day basis. Question 11 is important for the contractor. As you're talking to your client, you need to be aware of which crew if you have multiple crews will be in the house and make it a point to let the client know their name. Some company service companies I've seen they will actually text the client when they're on their way letting them know and it's usually an automated service that texts the client and lets them know that so and so, whoever it is from, your crew is on the way and it may have a picture or signature card with their picture and name. There's a number of reasons why this is a good and best practice for contractors. From the contractor's perspective, the client sees here's the person coming to my home, here's their name, and I've even seen some companies go as far as to put a little bit about the person that's coming, the crew that's coming, and the text message or email signature. So it'll say hi, this is Chris. He is a site supervisor for Kirby Custom, and just a little bit about Chris. He has animals, loves animals and then sometimes it'll say they are allergic to so and so.

Speaker 1: 10:13

Sometimes when you're working on a job site you get very familiar with the client. There comes a point where the client may offer food, may offer drink. That little pre-message with that text lets them know who you are and stuff like that. These are things that show that you care in business a little bit more than the next person that may be been in the work. When you can personalize that conversation about your crew, yourself, your company, and make them understand that when they come they may be allergic to dogs and the client may have a dog. It's tough to have somebody who's allergic to dogs because there are a number of homes that have pets or animals and stuff. But as a company owner it is imperative that you understand your people and understand that they may have allergies. So it is a good practice to conversate about that with the client and with whoever you're going to send out there. Number 11, make sure that you discuss who will be on site and who will be the on site supervisor for daily communication for the client and daily communication for the project manager to ensure things go smooth and then if there are other people who are going to be on site, you need to let them know. So if you've got subs coming in to do Plum and Electrical, whatever it is, they need to know who they are as well. Especially if the contract was all under one umbrella and you are the general contractor for the job, you need to make sure that the client knows the names of everybody that's coming on site.

Speaker 1: 11:44

And now we move into Shop Talk. It's the portion of the show where I bring in a co-host and we cover trending topics in home building and remodeling. Hope you enjoy let's go. Welcome back everybody. We got Adam back with us here today and we have been talking a lot about remodeling and kitchen remodeling in general.

Speaker 1: 12:06

We wanted to pivot a little bit and jump on over to bathroom remodeling and for the kitchen and bath contractors out there, you all know we have stories to tell specifically, we can probably tell some horror stories and stuff like that. We want to keep it light hearted today and we want to talk about the process of, from beginning to end, not only how we do the remodel, but just even the first phone call for a bathroom remodel. They're gonna call the office, ms Tammy, our front desk. She's gonna set you up with an estimate and you're gonna go out. Then one of the tips, tip number one for today, is that we have a pre-designed information card that you take with you. On this information card, it has information about our companies, it has awards we've won, it has our insurances different things- like that.

Speaker 3: 13:02

It's got a little bit of everything. It's got a background on the company. It also has information about the interior designers.

Speaker 1: 13:11

So that hurts their hero, if they want to go that route. Do you think it helps when you're out there because we don't have salesmen? Adam, as our estimator for remodels, really is the person that the client is dealing with. And when you're out there, do you feel that information card helps you because you can leave it with them?

Speaker 3: 13:28

Yes, it's just good for them to have. And then also I noticed on the jobs that we do get when they do get that folder they're using that folder to put all the information and everything we're sending them. They're sticking it right in that folder so they have some stay organized too.

Speaker 1: 13:45

And part of that is like you can leave that impression and you can go in and listen to them and they can listen to you, but the moment you walk out they're already. Some stuff is just gonna. They're not gonna remember every piece of that conversation, they're not gonna remember our business, except for you showing up and doing that. When you leave them with that right and a little folder with our logo, the information card, they can continue to have us on their mind.

Speaker 3: 14:10

They lay it on their table or whatnot, and it's always there.

Speaker 1: 14:15

they keep seeing the logo and they can pick it up and read it and see the stuff about us and then maybe go search us online. We've got our websites and links and stuff. You leave that information card. That's a good tip for you, that don't do it. And and it's really, we just bought some card stock and we print them, things out, we put it in a folder and Adam takes them on his estimates with them. From there you you're walking through the house, you're taking pictures and from that point I just get all the information I came from.

Speaker 1: 14:44

You're writing notes and everything they're talking about.

Speaker 3: 14:46

That way I don't miss anything, because if I try to jump in just trying to take measurements and everything while they're talking, then we both forget.

Speaker 1: 14:56

Do you do a walkthrough with the class and take a note? First, yes, okay, and then do you go back.

Speaker 3: 15:02

Yes, after our walkthrough they tell me everything they want to do, their vision pretty much. That's when, after we're done with that, that's when I start taking all my measurements, pictures, asking my questions that I have about some things, because I'll notice things are gonna have to be done in order to do what they're wanting.

Speaker 1: 15:22

Right, to get to the vision. You got to talk construction. Right, you're taking notes and taking pictures. Then you come back and I'm assume you review the measurements, review the pictures, start putting together that estimate. Right, you come up with a number, you send it to them. If they accept, we go through the process of remodeling, right, right, what is a day one of a bathroom remodel look like for us? How do you? Day one is?

Speaker 3: 15:51

demo.

Speaker 1: 15:51

Demo day is always usually day one. Now we're gonna move into the portion of the show where we talk interior design. We're gonna bring in an interior designer and we're gonna talk trending design and products. Hope you enjoy.

Speaker 4: 16:08

Let's go inspecting materials, making sure that they're already to be installed prior to that space being empty and vacant yes, absolutely so on the remodel side, you know, with kitchens getting back to kind of the design and layout of it.

Speaker 4: 16:23

So one is navigating the design, getting that in place. How are you gonna use it? What kind of appliances, what cabinetry are we doing? There's so many different facets to that end of it where the designer is gonna be there to help you navigate Really what's gonna work for you, but also the resources, if you just really area? Are you going to know what places to visit for stone? Are you going to know what cabinetry shops are best to work with?

Speaker 1: 16:52

well, here's another one. You know you have to navigate the location and let's just say they walk in and I'm gonna tell you it is overwhelming. Sometimes I mean you're gonna walk in and you're gonna have 500 different types of flooring but what works? Yeah, right, exactly, and so a part of what you do is you kind of zero in what. You learn the person right in the planning phase. You can zero in right and it helps make that selection process manageable.

Speaker 4: 17:23

In fun, yes, and fun, I have some, yeah all excited about the project and then they do exactly you said they go out and they attempt to go shopping yes. And then it's overwhelming. Now they're frustrated. Yeah, dealing with sales people not designers. Yes, not really are working around them, their home, their personality yeah, and it's not fun anymore. Yeah, and then it's overwhelming.

Speaker 4: 17:47

And then the money comes into it as a designer, our job really is to help you navigate all of that sure and make the process enjoyable yeah, and then and to you mentioned.

Speaker 1: 17:56

So you know, for me it's great because you zero in on selections to not be overwhelming. But you mentioned something else. You mentioned budget and a designer that knows product understands where they're not gonna walk you to a space that's not affordable or doesn't.

Speaker 4: 18:14

Present ideas yes, yeah and that is also part of having somebody who specializes in their certain areas. Like Chris mentioned, I'm I'm kitchen and bath yes that's, that's my heart, that's my home, that's where I'm happy. Absolutely and so I do know my product, I know my pricing. I'm never gonna guide a client, within a certain budget, to something that they fall in love with in there now shattered because they can't afford it. Yeah again, now it's not.

Speaker 1: 18:40

Or even if they can afford it, right, but it doesn't make sense for the spec, or you know they're, they're like yeah, I can afford it, but that's not what we presented in the budget, you know. So, yeah, it definitely, you know, takes talent, but it also takes experience and time in the field. Yes, and that's another thing, to design from the desk but being on site at multiple points throughout the remodel matters a lot to.

Speaker 4: 19:09

Well and being on site, especially for clients. We have clients who have their own jobs absolutely, they're not gonna be available so you're the eyes and ears.

Speaker 1: 19:17

Eyes and ears on the site.

Speaker 4: 19:20

So as a designer, we're also gonna catch things that need to be done or haven't been done or aren't part of the vision that maybe the title guy wasn't aware of yes, okay, listen, and I love designers.

Speaker 1: 19:33

There's a reason that we have all this in house now, and it's to fix some of those gaps. It is very easy for you to walk in and be like where that come from. What, what, what is this right? Yeah?

Speaker 4: 19:46

yes, yes but it should when it's a benefit because in any project, especially with the kitchen royal, there's gonna be a lot of hands on that project. It's inevitable. Yeah have people who specialize in the plumbing, the electric, the countertops, the cabinets, the flooring. No one to two people are doing all of that really is an agglomeration of a lot of people yeah when you have that many people, there's no way that Every single finite detail yes they're gonna know absolutely so you are I know you are the consistency throughout the duration of the project correct.

Speaker 1: 20:18

You keep the vision intact, the budget intact, and then you actually manage the vision throughout the duration, and so it gives the client a lot of relief.

Speaker 3: 20:29

And.

Speaker 1: 20:29

I think that's the biggest point, and some of them want to turn key design.

Speaker 1: 20:33

Yes, right, and when I say turn key, that means they want to be hands off yes, and so they want an updated, nice space and they need to trust that you know what you're doing Correct. Thanks for joining us today. As always, we are grateful for our listeners. In your continued support, please subscribe to our YouTube channel, follow us on social media via Facebook, instagram and tick tock, get more info at our website, www. Dot the homebuilding show dot com. And, as always, remember who we are the home building and remodeling show.