Sonia Punter

Research carried out by Insight Data has identified an increase in the number of local builders offering double glazing and other home improvement products alongside their regular services. This rise in builders offering windows and doors presents new potential trade customers to fabricators/suppliers.

“When carrying out renovation work, such as fitting kitchens or showers, the builder is forging a relationship with the homeowner,” explains Sonia Punter, Insight’s sales manager, “If the same homeowner then wants new windows or a new conservatory they are more likely to ask the builder that fitted their kitchen to carry out the work.

“Without the advertising costs, sales commissions or overheads of a window company, a trusted local builder can provide good value for money. This makes them more likely to be chosen to carry out window and door installations, and opens up new sales opportunities for fabricators.”

But it’s not just fabricators that can benefit from these untapped sales opportunities; installers can also create new sales revenue streams through buying-in windows and doors from fabricators, then supplying these to local builders via trade counters.

Sonia goes on to comment that although the opportunities are there, companies are missing out because of how difficult tracking local builders down can be, with many operating on word of mouth recommendations alone:

“We recognised that local builders are difficult to track down which prompted Insight to launch our Local Builders database. It currently contains 22,000 records with 10,000 up-to-date email addresses for local builders who are installing home improvement products such as windows and doors.”

The Local Builders database is available through Salestracker, the online prospecting software from Insight Data that is updated live in real-time. Users can log in anytime, anywhere from any internet-enabled device in order to target and manage potential prospects as well as create accurate and up-to-the-minute contact lists for direct mail, email and telesales campaigns.

“With over 22,000 contacts listed in the Local Builders database, the sheer volume of products being bought in by these builders provides a lucrative market. Companies looking to capitalise on this growing market can use Salestracker to target and connect with thousands of potential new prospects,” concludes Sonia.