As most people are aware, home builders and contractors are still dealing with supply chain issues that began during the pandemic in 2020. At first, there were few problems getting the materials to construct the houses themselves as well as components like staircases and railings.
However, eventually these existing materials ran out and getting them back in stock has been a challenge. The professionals at Royal Oak Railing & Stair Ltd explain why custom stair railings and staircase designs can beat supply chain issues.
Customers Are Willing to Wait Longer for Custom Designs
When customers hear the words “custom” or “personalized,” they intuitively know that their item, whatever it is, will take longer to make, ship, and receive. They know that whenever something has to be created just for them, they have to be patient with the manufacturer to make the custom item so that it is perfect for their needs.
They aren’t expecting their item to be in stock, so home builders and contractors have a little more lead time to get custom rails and staircases built and shipped.
Customers understand it takes time to get an item custom made, so they are willing to wait to have it done and they are more likely to be flexible on installation dates because of this understanding. Of course, it can’t be too delayed, but if a customer has to wait for a cookie-cutter design or a custom design either way, they would rather wait for the more personalized option.
Customers Can Choose Custom Designs from In-Stock Materials
Rather than subject themselves to the instability of the supply chain, customers may elect instead to have a custom railing or staircase designed out of materials that are already in stock. They realize that they can get a more personalized design more quickly by selecting materials that home builders and contractors have available. These materials might include wrought iron or certain types of wood.
Usually, custom designs are more expensive, but if customers choose materials that are in stock, they may actually pay less than waiting for a material that is scarce and difficult to source. As anyone in the business knows, when a supply is low and the demand is high, the price can go through the roof. Using materials on hand can keep costs fairly low, even with a custom design fee. Plus, they will be able to get it installed more quickly as well.
Customers Want Unique Designs
Nobody likes having the same exact home as other people, even if they can decorate the house to make it more their style. Offering customer railings and staircases gives people the option of making their new home unique. Most people would rather wait for a custom design than use a prefabricated design that is boring or common in their neighborhood, especially if they have to wait for the prefabricated railing to arrive anyway.
Conclusion
Even though people are aware of the supply chain issues that have occurred over the past few years, they aren’t always patient when it comes to their house. Offering them custom railings and staircases can be a way to beat supply chain issues and give the customer a more personalized home building experience.