Meet Joe.  He’s new to the decorative concrete industry. Joe attends a Discovery and Training seminar at Engrave-A-Crete to learn the best methods for installing decorative concrete.  He’s a little short on cash and confidence, though, so he goes home empty handed.  He wants to scope out the market before he buys anything.

Joe is excited about what he’s learned at seminar.  He meets with a neighbor who wants his 1,000 square foot patio remodeled.  Joe shows him pictures of what he can do with the ugly concrete.

Joe’s neighbor likes what he sees and asks Joe for a bid to stain and engrave the patio.

Now Joe has to do some figuring.  He definitely needs a Mongoose, and a few other supplies. Confidence building, he calls Engrave-A-Crete where a friendly salesperson helps him with his order.

Joe computes his expenses and finds they average $2.57 per square foot for the job.  He includes a reasonable profit in his bid.  He gets the job.

When the job is finished, Joe’s neighbor is delighted. He loves his patio and hands Joe a check. He also begins telling others about how awesome Joe is at installing decorative concrete.

Joe goes over his figures one more time.  Yes, they were correct.  His first job completely paid for the Mongoose and other supplies he used, with a nice profit.

Soon Joe gets another 1,000 square foot job. He carefully computes his costs again.  Since his Mongoose is now paid for, his expenses this time average only 52 cents a square foot.

Wow!  If he charges the same rate he charged his neighbor, that means a huge profit on this job! And the next!  And the next!

Soon Joe is so busy he decides to invest in a fully loaded trailer.  Engrave-A-Crete financing makes it easy. Now his new trailer has become a rolling billboard for his business and his customer base grows even faster.

Joe smiles every day as he deposits his profits in the bank.  Life with Engrave-A-Crete is good.

Get the vision! Reread this story and insert your name in the place of Joe’s.  Then give us a call at 800-884-2114. Engrave-A-Crete can help good things happen to you, too.

According to the Associated Press, building permits are up for the last quarter of 2011. That’s great news for contractors.

The biggest surge in permits came in the rental property sector, with apartment complexes leading the way. Since many Americans have lost homes due to foreclosure, are unemployed, or simply don’t want to own a home in these uncertain economic times, they have become renters.

How should these facts affect your marketing strategy for 2012?

Target the landlords! As a decorative concrete contractor, you have the perfect solution to their problem of how to provide attractive, livable spaces at a reasonable price that will withstand the heavy use rental properties often suffer.

Here are some points to include as you prepare your marketing package aimed at landlords.

• Decorative concrete is attractive.  Concrete floors can be stained and engraved to resemble wood planking, marble, tile, brick…nearly any design the landlord wants. Custom templates and stencils mean even more design options. Take along the Engrave-A-Crete Idea Book to show your prospective customer hundreds of decorative concrete flooring options they might not know exist.
• Decorative concrete is suitable for indoor and outdoor installations.  Decorative concrete steps, patios, walkways and drives add instant curb appeal to rental units.  Show the landlord how you can turn a ho-hum complex into a high-end area that will attract renters who are willing to pay more for a quality environment.
• Decorative concrete is practically maintenance free.  Rental units often have concrete floors.  Once those surfaces undergo the proper floor prep, and decorative staining and engraving are installed, the result is a luxurious flooring option that is much more durable than other flooring choices.  In fact, it lasts for the life of the concrete with only an occasional reseal necessary.
• Decorative concrete is eco-friendly. Existing concrete doesn’t need to be torn out and sent to the landfill.  Simply use what’s already there, plan a design that incorporates any flaws, and produce a flooring option that’s sure to please. There’s no energy expended trucking away the old and bringing in the new.  And, Concrete Resurrection stain and sealer products are kind to the environment, meeting or exceeding governmental standards in every category.
• Decorative concrete is renter friendly. Decorative concrete flooring emits no noxious fumes like those often associated with carpeting.  It’s easy to clean and doesn’t give pesky bugs a place to hide. Tenants will appreciate the ease of keeping their living spaces spic and span.
• Decorative concrete is pet friendly. The landlord no longer needs to worry about stained and smelly carpet, or allergens that may persist long after the tenants and their animals are gone.  Decorative concrete floors offer NO safe haven for fleas, ticks or pet dander.
• Decorative concrete is affordable.  Stained and engraved concrete is comparable in price to flooring options such as hardwood, tile, and carpeting. Considering its longevity, that makes decorative concrete a much more economical choice.

Resolve now to develop a marketing plan tailored to landlords.  Whether they’re constructing new units or remodeling older ones, you can offer them the best solution for their flooring needs.