I’ve been spending a bit more time in the office lately as my employees are sufficiently developed to handle a good portion of the fieldwork. As I’m taking care of current and future business, it occurs to me that a showroom of some sort could be of great benefit.
So, in thinking of how to accomplish this, I am checking into some space adjacent to the showroom of a tile and granite business. I also have talked to at least three suppliers who would be willing to provide alot of the materials that I would need to outfit the space. Essentially I think I can do the majority of the construction work with donated materials.
I’m thinking of approaching a local architect that I have executed a couple of designs for to lay out the space for me. I am not opposed to paying his fee but my feeling is that he may be interested in discounting some design work at a minimum.
My concept is a meandering path past several mockups of various remodeling and new construction projects featuring interior and exterior design elements, ultimately leading to a design and sales area. Sort of a high end residential construction boutique.
We’ll be able to send clients through to the tile and marble showroom where there are numerous kitchen and bath layouts generating traffic for them also.
I’m thinking of writing a lease based on percentage of gross sales and factoring that into my overhead which is not without risk to the Owner but could generate significant income on unused space.
Basically, I can do this pretty much on a shoestring as far as tenant improvements go, and if my lease is tied to my gross generated by the showroom, it is a variable cost that I can easily assume.
We have thought of some potential pitfalls, but I’m having trouble seeing the downside for me, or anyone else involved. Has anyone out there done anything similar? Any advice on showrooms in general?
Tom
Edited 8/2/2002 11:30:15 PM ET by Tommy B.
Replies
I always wanted to build an office at a truss plant like that. Make a vaulted ceiling in one room, a tray ceiling in another, etc.
I may not be an expert in human nature or anything, but I think it's a fairly sound idea. It's a lot easier to explain things to someone if you can point at something rather than point at a picture in a brochure.
But I think you've left the biggest questions unanswered:
1. Will it have vinyl siding?
2. Will the attic be ventilated?
"For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program."
1. Yes.
2. No.
I appreciate your input Boss, and I hope to here alot more. The space has twenty foot ceilings perhaps you would be willing to donate the trusses? Actually, that is a good idea and I'm sure my truss guy will be willing to oblige me too.Tom
Just finished up working in a different part of town. Noticed a contractors showroom on a main road thru town. Really caught my eye.
It's on a main road....but the area was originally all residential....now mostly commercial. They took a corner lot house...and remodeled to be a commercial showroom. I have no idea how the inside is set up.....but the exterior is great.
One the 2 sides I can see.....they have bay...bow..and box windows...lined across the side. A small elevated deck is off the back. French doors open from the deck..and a slider opens underneath onto a paver patio. All very small back there. The bottom siding looks to be hardie.......then a metal wrapped band board...then the top half is vinyl sided.....and the gable peak has scalloped shingles..think they are vinyl too.
3 different roofs......3 different shingle styles. Looks like they used a pastel ...kinda Victorian color theme........which ties the whole thing together.
They put just about everything they could on the exterior. Great idea to show customers what ya can do.Someone obviously spent sometime on the design and proportions to get everything to knida match up. All ties together rather nicely.
Maybe I'll get a pic when I go back in a few weeks for additional work. Jeff She's exotic ,but not foreign, like an old Cadillac......she's a knockout!
I'd appreciate that Jeff. Sounds something like what I'm thinking but everything will be on the interior of the building.
The more I think about it, the more suppliers I think of that I know would be willing to display there wares.
Good point on the trusses bob.Tom
Will the crawlspace be ventilated??
If you are going to show trusses, showing the ones that provide additional living/storage space I think would be benificial. When I see trusses going up that don't accommadate this I get sick thinking about wasted space that could be useable for a small amount of money.bobl Volo Non Voleo Joe's cheat sheet
Not sure ezactly what you mean by donated materials but don't go cheap on anything. You don't want to give any chaep, shoestring impression to a customer. If you project that image, the only customers you get wil be the bargain shoppers. Manufacturers will help with floorplan stocking or versions thereof.
Downside - overhead. Staff, insurance, electricity, more bookeeping time.
I once owned a specialty wood stove store. I broke even the first two years and lost about seventeen grand the last year.
Remember the rule;
Location, Location, Location
That's good advice Piffin. I have no intention of going cheap.
The location is accessible but not in a commercial district. I don't want walk in traffic. I'm more interested in maintaning a quality meeting space for my referrals. I recently completed additional space that houses my home office, but I am not interested in meeting prospective clients here. It's more for management and current clients. The showroom I am envisioning will probably not be a storefront type operation, probably appointment only.Tom