Will Benoit is the founder of Zion Home & Building in Dallas, which handles kitchen, bath and other home interior remodeling projects and additions. We spoke with him to find out why he switched from Buildertrend construction management software to Houzz Pro all-in-one software for home improvement specialists.
At a Glance
Who: Will Benoit, founder of Zion Home & Building
Industry: Home remodeling
Location: Dallas
Year company was established: 2017
Annual revenue: $1 million
Challenges Before Adopting Houzz Pro
What were some of the biggest challenges in your business before you adopted Houzz Pro?
“We seek to bridge the gap between what we’re going to deliver and what the client is expecting, so any tools that help us do that more efficiently and more clearly, I want to take advantage of. To me, your 3D Floor Planner really does that.”
Benoit already had a system in place for project management, but he needed a way to communicate his vision for the project more clearly to clients. They often asked about 3D renderings, and Benoit knew that offering these would add value and help clients get to “yes” faster.
Decision Time: Choosing Houzz Pro Over Buildertrend
What was the key moment for you in choosing Houzz Pro?
“I started searching online for 3D house plan features, and I was thinking I would need to buy additional software for that. Then I saw that Houzz Pro could cover our construction scheduling needs and our 3D design aspect. So it was an all in one, plus a better price than Buildertrend. It was a no-brainer.”
He also appreciated how Houzz Pro is robust enough to make compelling 3D models for clients but simple to use.
“I looked at some 3D-specific drafting apps, but they were all a little too complex for me. Houzz Pro 3D is just enough for what I need. The fact that you can scan the room and get it there in front of you just like that and bridge the gap between what we’re going to deliver and what the customer is expecting is what I fell in love with.”
Have you had any surprises since implementing Houzz Pro?
“I wasn’t anticipating the depth of design features. My designer has been using the Mood Boards, which are great. The ability to add team members is awesome. I’m thinking about bringing in my cabinetmaker as a team member so he can edit the 3D plans. That gets me excited to utilize it on another level.”
Favorite Houzz Pro Features
What is the most impressive part of Houzz Pro for you?
- 3D Floor Planner: “I’ve sold a couple more jobs thanks to Houzz Pro; my average project is $50,000. I don’t know if the clients would have gone with me without the 3D model.”
- Schedule feature: “I love the way you can click and drag on the project calendar to drag things around, because things move around [in a project schedule] on a daily basis. I love using colors to organize job stages and individual tasks within the calendar to put in all the notes you need.” He adds: “My project manager lives and dies by the project calendar, so he’s able to manage the job completely from that Schedule [tool] and communicate with our clients on a day to day basis from that schedule.”
- Progressive invoicing: “I’m the sales guy. I’m always on the project home page, constantly editing the invoice tab to see how much [clients have] paid me, how much they still owe us, and when their next draw is due. Based on the percentage outstanding, I can edit the amount of those draws.”
How has Houzz Pro impacted your business in dollars-and-cents terms?
“I know for sure I sold a $190,000 kitchen job specifically because I was able to show how the kitchen would be transformed in 3D. The client has been very impressed with the new kitchen designs we’ve shown them on the 3D model — specifically, where we’re placing the island and how far from each wall it’s going to be based on the size, because we’re dealing with a weird angle and needed to be sure there’s enough walkway space there. We customized the size of the island and positioned it based on the 3D model.”
Benoit adds that the 3D Floor Planner sets him apart from the competition and helped him sell another recent job as well, because the client could clearly envision the end design.
Client Reactions to Houzz Pro
How are your customers reacting to Houzz Pro so far?
“The biggest thing I talk about is the 3D scanning app. When people see me scanning a room, they walk over and watch me do it. They can’t believe how quickly it all happens and what it can do. I can honestly say it’s helped me sell a few jobs.”
Advice to Others Looking to Grow Their Business Faster
What would you say to contractors who are considering Houzz Pro and are in a similar situation? Those who have business processes in place, but their technology tools are holding them back from the aggressive company growth goals.
“You don’t know until you try something. There have been a few small things over the years that have grown my business 10x. I’m always looking for them. Something you’re doing, if it takes a week to perform and there’s technology out there to help you do that in one day, that’s invaluable. But you don’t know until you explore. Houzz Pro is definitely on the list of tweaks that have helped me grow the business 10x.”
He notes that the 3D Floor Planner in particular “has condensed the back-and-forth and amount of time it takes to bridge the gap between what we’re going to deliver and what the client expects.”
Want advice delivered to your inbox?
Unlock industry insights and updates for contractors and design pros
By signing up, I agree to the Houzz Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and that Houzz may use my information to contact me about relevant content, products, and services.
