The news may be full of tales of woe for most businesses right now but home renovation is one sector that just keeps turning expectations on their head. When customers are feeling the pinch, you might reasonably expect big home projects to be put on hold until things pick-up but that just hasn’t been the case. In fact, demand is greater than ever!

The kitchen and bathroom market is booming

According to the 2022 Rated People Home Improvement Trend Report (on ratedpeople.com) there was a 32% increase in demand for home improvements in 2021 compared to 2020. You might put this down to the pandemic restrictions starting to lift but there is a lot more to it than that. Aside from a few months downturn during the first lockdown, sales at Granite & TREND actually spiked to one of their highest levels (a 27% year-on-year rise for Q3) during the second half of 2020 and then just kept on rising!

So far in 2022, our franchisees have continued to benefit from their highest ever numbers of customer leads and more and more of our partners are now enjoying turnovers well in excess of £1million per year.

So why is the home improvement sector bucking the economic trend?

One key factor is the way the pandemic has changed the way people think about their homes. There has been a lot more time to look at the role that important rooms like the kitchen and bathroom play in the home, especially with so many now enjoying hybrid working. How their homes look and feel is more essential than ever before.

Another important factor, is house prices. Following a decade of steep rises, homes are worth more now than any other time in history and this will remain the same for the foreseeable future. What this means is that homeowners have so much value tied up in their properties, most are never really going to be hit hard by rising costs of living. It also means they will be keener than ever to protect their primary asset and investing in the home is always going to pay off in the long run. They are also likely to feel less inclined to move, preferring so stay put and improve instead.

Ultimately, those who can afford large home renovation projects are not really affected by the rising cost of living – they are still very much spending.
However, not everyone in the home improvement sector is experiencing a boom – some companies are not doing nearly as well as others. Perhaps even more importantly, this is not the first time in its nearly 30 year history that the Granite & TREND Transformation franchise has not only survived economic downturn, but positively thrived!

What makes Granite & TREND Transformations so different?

At the heart of our success, of course, are our unique products and services. By using our innovative range of engineered surfaces, such as the famous Top that Fits on Top, our franchisees can quickly and easily upgrade customers’ kitchens and bathrooms without needing to rip out the old ones – meaning they can enjoy complete transformations without the expense of completely removing everything and replacing it. In fact, our makeovers usually save homeowners approximately 40% off the cost of a fully fitted new kitchen! Something which definitely has huge appeal when costs are high everywhere else.

Unlike many other franchises, our partners can also benefit from diverse revenue streams through two key sales channels: both domestic and residential and large scale commercial contracts. Our comprehensive vertical integration also means that supply channels are more reliable than those used by others in the sector, who rely on buying from third party vendors.

A business model which has stood the test of time

However, the single biggest factor that sets the Granite & TREND Transformations franchise apart is that it operates a tried and tested business model which has already proven itself all through the ups and downs of the economy over the last 25+ years. A model that you will be able to tap into as our partner and springboard your new business to success right from day one.

By being part of a larger network of business owners, you’ll also be able to enjoy the kind of cumulative experience, expertise and spending power that just isn’t available to small, independent firms – the kind that knows exactly how to respond to any situation and has the clout to take the necessary action.
As they say, when the times get tough, the tough get going! And franchises are amongst the toughest, most robust business models out there. Previously difficult economic times have proven to be defining periods for franchising as a route for those seeking an exciting and rewarding, new career. It is times like these when well-established brands like Granite & TREND Transformations, with their structured systems of management and support, really shine through as examples of strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

Ready to rise above the uncertainty, and build the future you deserve? Get in touch today to find out more.