Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/247747
18 Th u rsd a y, Fe b ru a ry 6 , 2 0 1 4 5 CRITERIA HOMEOWNERS USE WHEN HIRING PROS What do homeowners look for when hiring a home improvement professional? In HomeAdvisor's experience, they want to know five things: 1. Your work is positively rated and reviewed. Not surprisingly, potential customers check pro reviews during the hiring process. Unfortunately, some sites don't do a good job of verifying their ratings and reviews, making it difficult for homeowners to figure out who they can trust. But since HomeAdvisor verifies every review, this protects both the pro and homeowner. HomeAdvisor recommends a threephase approach for maximizing reviews: Aim for a collective rating of at least 4.5 (out of 5) stars. Homeowners are looking for the best pros and will typically eliminate pros with less than a four-star rating; collect at least five reviews (10 or more is optimal); display your ratings and reviews on your HomeAdvisor profile. This makes it easy for homeowners to get a sense for the quality of your work, even before meeting you. 2. They can trust you. Did you know that four out of five homeowners say they'd never hire a service pro that hasn't had a criminal and financial background check? HomeAdvisor makes it easy for homeowners to get the peace of mind they're looking for by only referring pros that have successfully passed a rigorous screening process. Displaying the HomeAdvisor Seal of Approval on your profile lets potential clients know you're someone they can trust. 3. You have the right credentials. How many times has a potential cus- NANAWALL CASE STUDY: BELVEDERE KITCHEN Knowing that his client wanted a classic kitchen and great room area that allowed for easy entertaining both inside and out, builder C.K. Dluzak of ZAK Enterprises in Santa Rosa, Calif., developed a second-to-none kitchen solution that has matched the owners' easy, laidback California lifestyle. It also opens their house so that it feels like you're out on the open waters of Belvedere Cove, not far from San Francisco. The Kitchen Transition The residents wished for a kitchen that simultaneously allowed for food preparation and guest interaction on their patio. "Essentially, the owners didn't want to miss a beat," said Dluzak. "They wanted the ability to pass food through a window directly from the kitchen countertop where food is prepped and cooked." It didn't take long for the project team to find a solution to meet their needs. The decision was made to install a NanaWall WD66 wood framed folding window/wall combination system. Matching a folding glass window strip with a folding glass three-panel wall opening in off-white wood finish, it give the homeowners the indoor-outdoor kitchen and entertainment area flexibility they desired. Even the stone countertops are extended outdoors with a similar material. Performs When Closed Open views to their stunning waterfront property, and fresh air to circulate through the kitchen and great room area were also considerations. "I research windows all the time and I'll tell you, C o n stru c tio n Ma rke tp la c e tomer asked you to provide proof of insurance and licensing? Or inquired if you've received awards for your work or are a member of professional organizations? In studies conducted by HomeAdvisor, surprisingly less than 50 percent of homeowners ask their contractor to provide such information. Yet, 61 percent of homeowners say it's very important when hiring a service professional. Proactively providing this information in your profile shows them up front that you're the right pro for their project. 4. They want to see your work. Homeowners want to know your skills align with their vision and style. They want to see examples of your work before they pick up the phone to talk to you about their project. Posting photos of your best projects showcases your expertise, giving prospective clients a visual reference of your work quality NanaWall has it down," Dluzak emphasized, explaining why other options were not chosen. "The window-wall combination was a great success. The dimension and parameters were exact. They're extremely waterproof, too. The rain in this part of California hits the window like a fire hydrant, and the NanaWall system can take the pressure, no problem at all." It was a combination of the design flexibility and performance attributes that made the Belvedere Kitchen project a home run for the builder and, ultimately, the homeowners. Ease of Use, One Handed Operation The three-grained, solid wood panels have a frame thickness of 2-5/8 inches, making for a beautiful, sleek and lightweight window and wall that's easy to maneuver. That speeds the transition, allowing the homeowners the ability to quickly and effortlessly go from an open and style. 5. They want exceptional customer service. Whether they're tackling a minor upgrade or major remodel, homeowners want a pro who appreciates the importance of superior customer service. That means being attentive to their needs and understanding their concerns. Prioritizing customer service is one of the most effective ways to stand out from your competition. February 6, 2014 - Today in HomeAdvisor KBIS Booth #N1533 Ask about their exclusive KBIS/IBS show special; register to win $2000 in the HomeAdvisor Sweepstakes; attend HomeAdvisor CEO Chris Terrill's presentation on technology and remodeling, (10:00-10:45 am -KBIS Center Stage) and see if you've won a Google Glass! For more information, stop by KBIS booth #N1533. air, indoor-outdoor situation to a completely airtight and waterproof kitchen in a matter of minutes. A load-bearing, upper-running carriage and a lower-running guide carriage is attached between the panels to ensure even distribution of pressure on all rollers. The less obvious but no less highly integral components of the WD66 system include the head jamb, frames, pins and screws, hinges and locks, which are all thoughtfully designed. The head jamb is aluminum with matching wood fascia pieces on both sides while all frames, sills and sealers are provided in a clear or anodized finish for maximum aesthetic compatibility. Similar to the kitchen appliances, it's good engineering that is also largely invisible. For more information, booth #C3843. stop by INTRODUCING SENOPLAST FURNITURE FILM Senoplast is a pioneer in the industry as well as a technology leader in the complex multi-layer extrusion production process. It is constantly striving to achieve better ways to react to new demands and ideas in the market place. Innovative solutions, such as its furniture film line of products, meet the current design trends of the furniture market on a worldwide level. The superb surface quality, excellent gloss levels and the depth of the gloss quality of its AM1800X stand out in the marketplace and definitely outshine all painted surfaces. The improved scratch resistance and surface quality level applies to all available standard colors (including the metallic finishes) as well as any other imaginable trend colors. As soon as a color sample has been produced, you can rely on 100 per- cent depth effect as well as extreme intensity within the finished product. In order to ensure the tried and tested Senosan® quality, production of its high value furniture films is carried out exclusively under "clean room" conditions. The furniture films are also UV resistant, recyclable and environmentally friendly. Senoplast has recently added a centralized distribution location to better serve its U.S. and Canadian customers. With this strategic location, you can now expect faster response times as well as quicker delivery. Please do not hesitate to contact Senoplast for additional information. For more information, call 630-8980731, visit www.senoplast.com or stop by booth #N1909.