During the recent recession and the period afterwards, diversification has been strongly promoted. Installers were encouraged to explore different products to try and find new revenue streams that would help them ride out the very worst of the economic storm. Well, we’re through that now, and what is left behind is a glut of brand new products that installers could use to take their business in a new, profitable direction. So these are my guesses at what products are going to make installers plenty of money in the coming years!
1. Lantern roofs
A little while ago I wrote a post called Battle Of The Lantern Roofs. With the industry’s major players now all in the market place, the engine in the this little niche market is stepping up a gear. The choice of products is quickly growing and the number flat roofs for this new product option stretches into the millions. The potential for this new market is massive, and if installers get on the journey early, there’s plenty of money to be made!
2. Solid roofs
This might sound like a very obvious one, but hear me out. Solid roofs have been around for a few years now, and we know that demand is growing quite quickly. But I still think the amount of business to be done on the back of this product is underestimated. There are millions and millions of existing conservatories out there with old knackered polycarbonate and glass roofs that need changing. Then there are all the new glazed extensions yet to be built. So not only is there a massive replacement market to tap into, but also the new-build market too. Pick the right product and install it in the right way, installers could absolutely cream it in with this one.
3. Composite decking
Sometimes the best selling products are the ones that gives the end user one less chore to do. This could be seen as a bit of an ancillary product, but composite decking is a new product that is going to work well alongside glazed extension jobs, or as one of those items that comes up when a customer asks an installer what other types of work they do.
As a matter of interest, I am having some composite decking put down in place of timber ones in my own garden. I really can’t be bothered painting it all again, so I’m going to be using this instead. I’ll do a before and after post with a review of the product too!
4. Integral blinds
Again, this might seem an odd one to include given that the product has been around for years now. But I include this product down to another product.
The trend of big glass units is growing in the industry, with homeowners increasingly opting for full size glass units in their new windows and doors. Design, style and views are all going to improve because of this trend. But homeowners are also going to want to dress that big new window of theirs. Blinds are OK but they need cleaning. Curtains aren’t that modern. Integral blinds however are. No cleaning, very minimal, easy to use. I suspect that as big glass units continue to sell, installers can add value and profit to their contracts by adding integral blinds to their portfolio.
These are just my own thoughts. Though I think out of the four the lantern roof product is the one that’s going to explode into life the most. As always, all comments on this post welcome in the section below.
The analysis you have pulled together is valid. The solid roof market potential is huge – it does need tackling in the right way though. It is Ultraframe’s position on this type of activity that it ALWAYS needs Building Regs when you change an old poly/glass roof to a solid roof. Moreover, the frames and base need checking for suitability too. On lanterns, there are potentially thousands of homes built after WW2 where flat roofs were an integral part of the home design………and there have been lots of single storey extensions built in last 50 years that could only feature… Read more »