Showhome speaks exclusively with Louise Walters, Commercial Director at Designer Contracts, the UK’s largest flooring contractor, about the importance of turnkey solutions in the housing market
Could you begin by outlining what Designer Contracts’ turnkey package includes and what inspired its development?
Designer Contracts offers a complete one-stop shop with its comprehensive range of floorcoverings, furniture and lighting packs plus a made-to-measure blinds and curtains service. This turnkey solution has been a part of the company’s offer for well over a decade. Inspired initially by the growing buy-to-let market, the service has expanded in direct correlation with the surge in the Buy to Rent sector. This, along with a rising number of housing stock plots – properties which remain unsold by developers – is offering private and corporate investors new opportunities, for which they require furnished properties and a fuss-free financial transaction.
How does offering a complete solution set Designer Contracts apart from competitors in the interior design and fit-out market?
As one of the more agile suppliers to the new build sector we’re a national company operating across England, Scotland and Wales through 13 regional depots – and that, in itself, distinguishes us from many of our competitors. Each depot is fully staffed with management, admin, warehouse and installation teams, all supported by our central distribution centre in Kettering where we hold some £3 million worth of stock, ensuring rapid supply to all regions. We also operate our own transport fleet and have a central head office that supports the entire network.
We’re able to provide a complete solution including flooring, blinds, curtains, lighting and furniture packages to our customers. More adept, customer-oriented businesses recognise that a turnkey solution is a win-win offer for the developer, the supplier and the investor – and it’s our combination of local presence and national infrastructure that allows us to react quickly, deliver consistently and maintain high standards.
What are the main benefits for housebuilders and developers in choosing a turnkey solution rather than managing multiple suppliers individually?
A turnkey approach gives builders and developers one accountable partner from design to delivery. It offers savings in time spent coordinating multiple trades and suppliers as well as cost control advantages with the added benefit of managing just one quote. It simplifies project management with fewer coordination headaches, fewer meetings, and clearer lines of responsibility. It also reduces risk as a single provider simplifies issues around compliance, warranties and insurance. It all comes back to infrastructure and planning. Our stockholding really gives us an advantage – we’ve got the materials ready and we’re not reliant on long lead times. We also have customer service teams embedded regionally, so when an issue arises, we can act fast.
