The past two years have seen people spending more time at home, and the latest chimney and hearth industry trends indicate home hearths are as popular as ever. As the work-at-home workforce increases, the demand for comfort and efficiency in living spaces grows. Similarly, outdoor dining options have surged in popularity, fueling demand for outdoor hearths in commercial settings.

According to Redfin, a fireplace adds value. Homes with a fireplace list for 13% more than the national median. While modern home hearths are attractive and seen as a place to gather, as weather events increasingly cause power interruptions, homeowners also recognize their practical value. With increased use, customers want to ensure their systems are safe and efficient and will look to you for answers. The right chimney and hearth software can help streamline your operations and better meet your customers’ needs.

Today’s homeowners want more than a simple fireplace in their living areas. Customers are adding bedroom fireplaces as well as two or three-sided fireplaces, which serve as open yet attractive room dividers while also providing warmth to two rooms at once. In addition, wood-burning ovens in kitchens and hearths in outdoor living spaces are increasing in popularity.

All of these hearths need regular service. RB’s service and scheduling optimization features make it easy to access each customer’s service history and schedule appointments. Conveniently, the software also keeps track of inventory and makes billing easier.

Customers are accustomed to having everything they need, quite literally, at their fingertips. Remote control via smartphones or internet-enabled voice devices is available for just about anything, including fireplaces. Customers expect the same kind of convenience during the buying process. Software that includes mobile technology will help you serve your customers faster and easier.

Mobile Live for Retail

Mobile Live provides instant access to inventory and past customer purchases, allowing sales representatives to help customers make on-the-spot purchasing decisions. Using a mobile device, staff can show customers available products, then immediately complete the sale using an integrated magnetic strip reader or barcode scanner. Receipts can be emailed directly to your customers, where they can file them away on their home computer with other important records.

Online Bill Pay

RB’s online bill pay feature allows customers to conveniently and safely receive and pay statements online. While customers appreciate the convenience, it also benefits chimney and hearth professionals who save on the cost of paper, envelopes, stamps, and the time required to prepare bills and collect payments.

Mobile Live Service

The service and scheduling feature assists technicians in the field who use mobile devices to provide updates in real-time to multiple users, allowing service techs to share information with each other as well as the home office. RB’s Chimney and Hearth Software’s “send text message” option will enable you to provide customers with text alerts, even on scheduled service days. This option offers a value-added convenience to customers by reducing the window of time they need to be available to allow access to their homes. The route optimization feature saves you even more money by automatically generating the most efficient travel route, maximizing your service tech’s time while saving on fuel costs.

Homeowners are seeking things that work together and blend into one holistic experience. When it comes to decorating, both minimalistic and vintage styles are rising in popularity, and customers are willing to pay to have all aspects of their home harmonized. Home hearths need to be attractive, functional, and efficient. Local buildings codes, EPA regulations, and usage costs have customers looking to upgrade old systems.

RB’s point of sale and inventory management features make it easy for you to help your customers find the system they want and identify potential add-ons they may need. For example, if a customer is adding a wood stove to their home, your sales staff can explain how a steamer would put humidity back into the air. Customers feel cared about when you meet their needs. Explaining potential problems and suggesting solutions encourages sales.

The CRM and marketing tools help you stay connected with your customers and inform them of new products that can save them time or money. For example, offering discounts or loyalty programs encourages repeat customers. In addition, offering benefits such as digital receipts (via online sales history) for returns or emailing service reminders provide an organic opportunity to let them know about new products.

Software designed specifically for the chimney and hearth industry streamlines operations, making them more profitable. CRM features make customers feel cared for and appreciated while mobile POS and live service options reduce paperwork, allowing employees to focus on customer needs, leading to increased profits. Schedule a demo with RB today to put your business on the cutting edge of the latest chimney and hearth industry trends.