By: Deborah Johnson Wood
A user-friendly web tool has set a new standard of service for Grand Rapids-based Legacy Homes. Owner Jeff Wassenaar says the tool is an important part of the reason that last year, when other builders' businesses were down 50 percent, Legacy's was up 35 percent.
The tool, part of Legacy's web site, allows homeowners to see every aspect of their home's construction progress from scheduling to completion.
"We provide a live calendar, the same one we and our subcontractors work off," Wassenaar says. "The schedule can change due to weather or other reasons; the good news is our customer doesn't have any surprises."
Beside the schedule, the web site calculates the homeowner's mortgage and projected interest rate, provides a weather forecast, shows photos of the work as it progresses, has an email function, and a list that includes photos of all the finishes, flooring, paint colors, and tile the customer selected during their meetings with Legacy's interior designer.
"We can also give them a Google map of the home's location, and any PDF, such as their contract with us, a site survey, or anything else they need," Wassenaar adds.
Many of Legacy's clients live in other states while they wait for the construction of their new home in Michigan, so they can't be here to check in on the construction. The web tool allows them to stay in touch. Other clients tap into the web site when they're shopping for furniture or fabrics in order to match those items with wall or flooring colors.
To try out the tool, visit the Legacy Homes Tour.
Source: Jeff Wassenaar, Legacy Homes; Craig Clark, Clark Communications
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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