Network Links Homeowners,Trade Pros
Rutland, VT Home improvement, building and other trade
professionals, including kitchen and bath designers, are an
integral component of a new nationwide network aimed at linking
trade professionals with consumers, while providing a series of
benefits to members.
The network, launched nationwide late last year, is known as The
Home Service Store (HSS), and is being promoted as “the
fastest-growing and most comprehensive home and business
improvement service of its kind.”
The venture was launched as a strategic initiative of the
largest electric utility in Vermont the Rutland, VT-based Central
Vermont Public Service Corp. which said it is attempting to
diversify its efforts, and capitalize on the lucrative national
home improvement market.
According to HSS president Douglas Sinclair, the network is
aimed at connecting a wide range of “top-quality trade affiliates”
including architects, remodelers, kitchen and bath professionals,
general contractors, and related industry professionals with
customers in need of home or office improvements.
“Linking up with HSS will enable trade affiliates to grow their
businesses by 30% or more without the hassle and expense of
advertising or soliciting new customers,” Sinclair said. “HSS is a
lot more than just a matching or referral service. It is a national
network of home-improvement trade professionals entrepreneurs who
want to grow their business while reducing their prospecting and
advertising costs.”
Apart from matching HSS members with potential new customers,
the service provides members with group rates on health, property
and liability insurance; payroll, pension and legal services;
advertising and marketing support, and centralized invoice
processing.
Consumers, who pay a flat annual fee for the service, are
guaranteed “top-quality craftsmanship,”24-hour emergency service,
free estimates, competitive pricing and additional benefits.
Affiliate fees to HSS, which go toward administering and marketing
the system, vary with the size and scope of each job obtained
through the referral service, HSS officials said.
According to Sinclair, HSS is currently serving homeowners in 14
major metropolitan markets in the U.S., and will be available in 50
markets by this spring. HSS, added Sinclair, has a marketing
agreement with SAM’s Club the nation’s largest membership warehouse
club to provide home improvement services to its new level of
national membership, SAM’s Club Elite. HSS is also developing other
marketing relationships of a similar nature, Sinclair said.
“These marketing agreements quickly build consumer awareness of
the HSS brand,” said Sinclair. “Because HSS services are offered in
association with well-known and trusted companies, we’re afforded
instant credibility.
“The potential of these marketing relationships is far-reaching,
and we continue to aggressively pursue new relationship
opportunities.”