Flexible Financing for Landscaping Projects
In the competitive landscaping world, offering your customers payment options can be a game-changer. Not only does it help your customers afford the landscaping designs they want, but it also comes with many benefits for your business. In this article, we will explore the advantages of offering financing and how it can give you a competitive edge.
1. Expand Your Potential Customer Base
One of the primary benefits of offering financing options to your customers is the ability to expand your potential customer base. Many customers may have champagne taste on a beer budget, meaning they may have big landscaping dreams but limited funds to make them a reality. By providing financing, you give these customers the opportunity to afford larger projects and upgrade the size of their designs.
For example, Bill Banford, owner of The Sharper Cut, shared a story of a customer with a $25,000 budget who ended up doing an almost $100,000 project once they realized they could finance the difference. This illustrates how financing can open up possibilities for customers who may have initially thought their budget couldn’t accommodate their dream landscaping project.
2. Get an Edge on the Competition
In the landscaping industry, offering financing options can also help you stand out from the competition. According to a survey of over 150 contractors, not many currently offer third-party financing. By being one of the few landscaping companies to provide this service, you catch the attention of potential customers and differentiate yourself from competitors who may be charging a similar price.
Dave Reed, vice president of landscaping at Meadows Farms, mentioned that offering financing catches people’s eyes and helps his company produce more sales. This advantage can be especially valuable in a market where customers are looking for landscaping companies that provide financing options.
3. Increase Close Rate and Project Size
In addition to expanding your customer base and standing out from the competition, offering financing options can also help increase your close rate and the size of your projects. Homeowners who choose to finance their landscaping projects tend to spend 43.8 percent more on average compared to those who pay out of pocket, according to Enerbank.com.
By providing financing, you remove the affordability barrier for customers and make it easier for them to commit to larger projects. Nate Fetig, general manager and vice president of Alpine Gardens, mentioned that offering financing helped them close deals that might not have otherwise happened. This shows how financing can directly impact your sales and revenue.
4. Make Projects Affordable and Accessible
Financing options make landscaping projects more affordable and accessible for your customers. Instead of having to downsize the scope of their project or span it out over several years, customers can purchase the landscape design they want when they want it. This is especially beneficial for customers who may need more funds to pay for a project upfront.
By offering financing, you allow your customers to pay for their landscaping projects in smaller, more manageable payments over time. Steven Salomon, president of Centerpoint Landscaping Services, explained that they offer financing to help clients achieve their dream landscape all at once instead of in phases. This way, customers can enjoy their new outdoor space while paying for it in installments.
5. Building Customer Loyalty and Repeat Business
Offering financing options to your customers helps you close deals and increase the size of your projects and fosters customer loyalty and encourages repeat business. Customers who have positive experiences with financing are more likely to return for future landscaping projects or recommend your services to others.
Conclusion
Offering financing options to your customers in the landscaping industry can be a powerful tool for growing your business. It expands your potential customer base, sets you apart from competitors, and increases your close rate and project size. So why wait? Start offering financing options today and reap the benefits of helping your customers achieve their dream landscapes.