After completing a whole-house renovation in an affluent area of north Arlington, Va., Sagatov Associates hosted an open house to share the beauty of the project and meet other potential clients in the area. “It's a great way for people to see our work and talk to someone [from our company] on a low-key level,” says Yuri Sagatov, CFO for the Vienna, Va., design/build company.
The event included tours of the home, which was gutted and restored over a year. It was the company's third open house.
“Pictures are one thing, but being able to walk through the space is totally different,” Sagatov says. “It's an opportunity for people to get a sense of what we can do.”
He had literature about the company on hand, and spoke with homeowners about ways to make their homes more energy efficient.
Sagatov marketed the open house in the local paper, through direct mail, and by e-mailing past clients. The company also hung street signs inviting neighbors. “We had about 40 people walk through the house,” Sagatov says. “We should, hopefully, get at least one project from it.”
When considering hosting an open house, remodelers should be mindful about which project to accentuate, Sagatov advises. “Use a project that is unique and specific to the location you want to work in. Most people will come because of the street signs.”
