How the Coronavirus Is Affecting Design and Remodeling Pros
Pros are seeing changes in their businesses as clients are affected by work and school closures
This story was updated with new information as of 2 p.m. PST on March 17, 2020.
With the coronavirus news changing rapidly every day, we reached out to pros late last week and again early this week to find out whether the pandemic was affecting their businesses — and if so, how. Read on to see what they said. Then please weigh in about your own experiences with COVID-19 in the Comments.
With the coronavirus news changing rapidly every day, we reached out to pros late last week and again early this week to find out whether the pandemic was affecting their businesses — and if so, how. Read on to see what they said. Then please weigh in about your own experiences with COVID-19 in the Comments.
In Some Locations, Businesses Are Shutting Down Work on Projects
While the number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. and Canada is quickly rising, as this story was being reported last week, some areas — including Washington state, New York and the San Francisco Bay Area — had been affected much more than others. Last week, pros in North America were taking precautions in the workplace to minimize the spread of the virus but not yet changing their day-to-day business practices. But this week, that had changed for several of the pros we spoke with.
“Yes — [we] laid off three [people] and closed two jobs,” Bill Kalin of Kalin Construction in Denver said Monday. “Folks don’t want us in their house.”
In New York City, where Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday afternoon warned residents to prepare for “shelter in place” orders within the next 48 hours, business owner Neila Deen of Urban Casa has already planned to shut down project installations. “[A]ny on-site installation will involve gloves and will cease starting Wed 3/18 until further notice,” she said Tuesday morning. “We are letting our clients know that due to the virus, we might not be able to install their projects in April.”
Designer Sarah Hill of Urban Pioneering Architecture in Brooklyn said Tuesday that her teams were hurrying to complete whatever they could. “Projects that are in full swing are trying to continue for as long as possible,” she said. “Contractors only get paid when they bill for work completed, and sadly many of them cannot afford to stop working, nor can subcontractors who get paid by the day, so most of our contractors who are in mid-project are opting to continue for as long as possible.”
While the number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. and Canada is quickly rising, as this story was being reported last week, some areas — including Washington state, New York and the San Francisco Bay Area — had been affected much more than others. Last week, pros in North America were taking precautions in the workplace to minimize the spread of the virus but not yet changing their day-to-day business practices. But this week, that had changed for several of the pros we spoke with.
“Yes — [we] laid off three [people] and closed two jobs,” Bill Kalin of Kalin Construction in Denver said Monday. “Folks don’t want us in their house.”
In New York City, where Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday afternoon warned residents to prepare for “shelter in place” orders within the next 48 hours, business owner Neila Deen of Urban Casa has already planned to shut down project installations. “[A]ny on-site installation will involve gloves and will cease starting Wed 3/18 until further notice,” she said Tuesday morning. “We are letting our clients know that due to the virus, we might not be able to install their projects in April.”
Designer Sarah Hill of Urban Pioneering Architecture in Brooklyn said Tuesday that her teams were hurrying to complete whatever they could. “Projects that are in full swing are trying to continue for as long as possible,” she said. “Contractors only get paid when they bill for work completed, and sadly many of them cannot afford to stop working, nor can subcontractors who get paid by the day, so most of our contractors who are in mid-project are opting to continue for as long as possible.”
The hardware and faucet room in the Harris McClain Kitchen & Bath showroom in Monroe, Michigan. Photo from Nicole Salter
Guidelines and closures vary across the country, and where designer Nicole Salter works, at Harris McClain Kitchen & Bath in Monroe, Michigan, schools, government offices, restaurants and bars have shuttered, directly affecting a client project. “We have a new kitchen going on that needs a beam and electrical all inspected before we can close up the walls — and the city has stopped all inspections,” Salter said Monday. “So until they decide to venture back out, we are at a standstill, and this leaves a homeowner without a working kitchen or stove and sink. With restaurants closed and them not having a kitchen, this is a horrible situation to put them in.”
Meanwhile, Salter’s showroom is still open. She is spending a significant amount of time cleaning showroom surfaces, including a room that contains cabinet hardware and faucets (see photo). “This room is a nightmare to just dust, and now I need to go through and wipe all those knobs and handles down.… I don’t want myself or clients to get sick,” Salter said last week. “Until they tell us we need to shut down, I will be open and cleaning daily with what cleaners we have left,” she added on Monday.
“I have checked in with all clients and so far everyone is still full-speed-ahead,” architect Will Ruhl of Ruhl Studio Architects in Watertown, Massachusetts, said Tuesday. “I will be shocked if this doesn’t change, remembering the 2008-2009 total meltdown as if it was yesterday.… We have seen a couple construction projects go on temporary hiatus out of an abundance of caution, and we are also hearing about supply line disruptions for materials. I do think this will get much worse.”
Client Pipeline Being Affected
In Dallas, designer Ginger Curtis of Urbanology Designs is noticing a sharp decline in both projects and inquiries. “We have not only had new consults cancel, but also big projects that were about to move forward that have stopped,” she said Tuesday. “I am very concerned for the current projects in our pipeline. We can’t force people to spend their money even with an agreement in place.
“My phone has stopped ringing and the only emails I get are from industry partners telling us what they are doing to handle the situation. I’m watching daily to see if our manufacturers are closing. We need a clear understanding of how this will specifically affect our industry. Still a lot of unknowns. Business as usual is coming to a very dull roar.”
Guidelines and closures vary across the country, and where designer Nicole Salter works, at Harris McClain Kitchen & Bath in Monroe, Michigan, schools, government offices, restaurants and bars have shuttered, directly affecting a client project. “We have a new kitchen going on that needs a beam and electrical all inspected before we can close up the walls — and the city has stopped all inspections,” Salter said Monday. “So until they decide to venture back out, we are at a standstill, and this leaves a homeowner without a working kitchen or stove and sink. With restaurants closed and them not having a kitchen, this is a horrible situation to put them in.”
Meanwhile, Salter’s showroom is still open. She is spending a significant amount of time cleaning showroom surfaces, including a room that contains cabinet hardware and faucets (see photo). “This room is a nightmare to just dust, and now I need to go through and wipe all those knobs and handles down.… I don’t want myself or clients to get sick,” Salter said last week. “Until they tell us we need to shut down, I will be open and cleaning daily with what cleaners we have left,” she added on Monday.
“I have checked in with all clients and so far everyone is still full-speed-ahead,” architect Will Ruhl of Ruhl Studio Architects in Watertown, Massachusetts, said Tuesday. “I will be shocked if this doesn’t change, remembering the 2008-2009 total meltdown as if it was yesterday.… We have seen a couple construction projects go on temporary hiatus out of an abundance of caution, and we are also hearing about supply line disruptions for materials. I do think this will get much worse.”
Client Pipeline Being Affected
In Dallas, designer Ginger Curtis of Urbanology Designs is noticing a sharp decline in both projects and inquiries. “We have not only had new consults cancel, but also big projects that were about to move forward that have stopped,” she said Tuesday. “I am very concerned for the current projects in our pipeline. We can’t force people to spend their money even with an agreement in place.
“My phone has stopped ringing and the only emails I get are from industry partners telling us what they are doing to handle the situation. I’m watching daily to see if our manufacturers are closing. We need a clear understanding of how this will specifically affect our industry. Still a lot of unknowns. Business as usual is coming to a very dull roar.”
Also in Dallas, designer Abby Smith of Smith & Ragsdale Interior Design is seeing the effect of the coronavirus in her client pipeline. “One of my business partners recently returned from a school trip with her son and husband to NYC,” Smith said Saturday. “We had previously scheduled client meetings right after her returning home to Dallas. We reached out to our clients and gave them the option of canceling or meeting or trying to keep distance during our meeting. Our older clients did choose to cancel, with the intention of rescheduling when the virus is no longer an issue.”
In another meeting with prospects, “This couple said they are willing to move ahead with the design phase of a kitchen remodel but will be holding off spending big money on construction until the market is stable and hopefully recovers,” Smith said. “He anticipates that this could take at least six months.”
Still Other Pros Are Business as Usual — for Now
“I have just stressed a lot of common-sense practices — i.e., wash your hands a lot, don’t shake hands,” Kevin Reed of BlueStone Construction in Hendersonville, North Carolina, said last week. “A few weeks ago, we went out and bought eight or 10 bottles of hand sanitizers for the job sites, and I stressed to each of my employees that they need to use it regularly. Job sites are a really bad place to spread germs: Lots of tools get passed around from person to person, close quarters, working side by side.”
By Monday evening, Reed’s thinking had changed. “It’s amazing how different it is this week,” he said. “I started this morning trying to buy materials and ensure ways to keep several jobs running. By the end of the morning, I was thinking I should be more focused on ways to keep my employees safe, especially my older employees.”
Some pros said last week that the virus was not affecting their daily working routines at all. “Our whole team works out of our respective homes most of the time out of convenience anyway,” Andrea Martoccia-Fava, principal designer at Motivo Home in Orlando, Florida, said last week. She works with her husband, Rik Fava. “Rik’s brother lives in Italy with his wife and kids, in Rome, and we’ve been speaking to them about how things are going over there. Really hoping the reality Italy is facing is not what we will be dealing with in a week or so from now.”
In another meeting with prospects, “This couple said they are willing to move ahead with the design phase of a kitchen remodel but will be holding off spending big money on construction until the market is stable and hopefully recovers,” Smith said. “He anticipates that this could take at least six months.”
Still Other Pros Are Business as Usual — for Now
“I have just stressed a lot of common-sense practices — i.e., wash your hands a lot, don’t shake hands,” Kevin Reed of BlueStone Construction in Hendersonville, North Carolina, said last week. “A few weeks ago, we went out and bought eight or 10 bottles of hand sanitizers for the job sites, and I stressed to each of my employees that they need to use it regularly. Job sites are a really bad place to spread germs: Lots of tools get passed around from person to person, close quarters, working side by side.”
By Monday evening, Reed’s thinking had changed. “It’s amazing how different it is this week,” he said. “I started this morning trying to buy materials and ensure ways to keep several jobs running. By the end of the morning, I was thinking I should be more focused on ways to keep my employees safe, especially my older employees.”
Some pros said last week that the virus was not affecting their daily working routines at all. “Our whole team works out of our respective homes most of the time out of convenience anyway,” Andrea Martoccia-Fava, principal designer at Motivo Home in Orlando, Florida, said last week. She works with her husband, Rik Fava. “Rik’s brother lives in Italy with his wife and kids, in Rome, and we’ve been speaking to them about how things are going over there. Really hoping the reality Italy is facing is not what we will be dealing with in a week or so from now.”
Some Clients Are Affected by the Coronavirus Fallout
In the San Francisco Bay Area, millions of residents were facing a near-lockdown urging them to shelter in their homes. But even before that guidance went into effect at midnight Tuesday, some pros had seen clients affected.
“We were about to start demo on a kitchen project I’m working on and had a meeting scheduled between the clients, contractor and me earlier this week to do a final plan run-through and discuss timing,” Sabrina Alfin of Sabrina Alfin Interiors in San Francisco said last week. “The clients decided to cancel this meeting and delay the start of the project to wait and see how things are progressing.
“In their case, they have two young school-aged boys, and I think they’re waiting to see if their school closes. If so, it would be tough to have the kids at home all day while construction is in progress.”
Another pro in Snohomish, Washington, a suburb of Seattle, which has been hit hard by the outbreak, said last week that the coronavirus had affected a client whose project was already under construction. “Our client’s daily routine has been greatly impacted,” Will Zeober of Ironwood Renovation said last week.
“The homeowner is a programmer for Amazon, and his office has been closed as a precaution. Our client is working from home for the next 30 days. In addition, they have two children, one preschool and one middle school. Both schools have been closed while the facilities are cleaned. It is not known when the schools will reopen.”
The situation of clients at home during a renovation presents a challenge not only for the homeowner, but also for the workers on site. “We met with the homeowner and family to discuss the matter and they have a strong opinion that COVID-19 is presently only a mild concern in their household,” Zeober said. “We agreed to continue work and take extra precautions as it relates to how we interact on the job site. The mother and children leave for most of the day to visit family and engage in outdoor activity, and the father remains home.”
The economic effect of the coronavirus on the stock market has also affected clients. Jenny Sneller of Sneller Custom Homes and Remodeling in Spring, Texas, said last week: “We have a customer that’s about to start a large remodel with us, and he was telling us his portfolio is now 30% of what it was a week ago. But, that being said, he’s still moving forward on his remodel and he’s certain his investments will bounce back.”
Matthew Lero, project manager at RDM Architecture in Kansas City, Missouri, said last week that his firm hasn’t experienced any project delays. “But I have noticed a bit of a slowdown in new project leads,” Lero said. “I think people just aren’t thinking about renovation projects or new houses with this level of uncertainty.”
In the San Francisco Bay Area, millions of residents were facing a near-lockdown urging them to shelter in their homes. But even before that guidance went into effect at midnight Tuesday, some pros had seen clients affected.
“We were about to start demo on a kitchen project I’m working on and had a meeting scheduled between the clients, contractor and me earlier this week to do a final plan run-through and discuss timing,” Sabrina Alfin of Sabrina Alfin Interiors in San Francisco said last week. “The clients decided to cancel this meeting and delay the start of the project to wait and see how things are progressing.
“In their case, they have two young school-aged boys, and I think they’re waiting to see if their school closes. If so, it would be tough to have the kids at home all day while construction is in progress.”
Another pro in Snohomish, Washington, a suburb of Seattle, which has been hit hard by the outbreak, said last week that the coronavirus had affected a client whose project was already under construction. “Our client’s daily routine has been greatly impacted,” Will Zeober of Ironwood Renovation said last week.
“The homeowner is a programmer for Amazon, and his office has been closed as a precaution. Our client is working from home for the next 30 days. In addition, they have two children, one preschool and one middle school. Both schools have been closed while the facilities are cleaned. It is not known when the schools will reopen.”
The situation of clients at home during a renovation presents a challenge not only for the homeowner, but also for the workers on site. “We met with the homeowner and family to discuss the matter and they have a strong opinion that COVID-19 is presently only a mild concern in their household,” Zeober said. “We agreed to continue work and take extra precautions as it relates to how we interact on the job site. The mother and children leave for most of the day to visit family and engage in outdoor activity, and the father remains home.”
The economic effect of the coronavirus on the stock market has also affected clients. Jenny Sneller of Sneller Custom Homes and Remodeling in Spring, Texas, said last week: “We have a customer that’s about to start a large remodel with us, and he was telling us his portfolio is now 30% of what it was a week ago. But, that being said, he’s still moving forward on his remodel and he’s certain his investments will bounce back.”
Matthew Lero, project manager at RDM Architecture in Kansas City, Missouri, said last week that his firm hasn’t experienced any project delays. “But I have noticed a bit of a slowdown in new project leads,” Lero said. “I think people just aren’t thinking about renovation projects or new houses with this level of uncertainty.”
Some Pros Are Moving Communications Online
As public health guidelines suggest social distancing, some pros are moving their communications away from in-person. “We are definitely taking steps due to the virus,” Raquel Steinfeld of Driftwood Design and Woodworking in Waltham, Massachusetts, said last week. “The main change has been conducting client meetings via Google Hangout instead of in person when possible.
“There are, of course, only so many meetings we can have virtually. Any actual construction or furniture design work has to be done in person.”
Alfin, the San Francisco designer, sent out an email to clients Monday outlining new coronavirus-driven business practices. “Starting today, Sabrina Alfin Interiors will be conducting business via phone call, email or web meeting, depending on the nature of the discussion or business at hand,” the email read.
“If physical samples are needed for decision-making, we will make sure you receive them via mail or ground shipping ahead of our discussions,” the email continued. “For our clients, we will also continue to use our cloud-based Ivy platform to review their respective dashboards for approvals, invoicing and payment. Job site visits to check on work completion and/or installations will be managed on a case-by-case basis, and will also be vetted via web tools whenever possible. We will continue to operate in this manner until state and local officials have deemed it appropriate to resume normal business practices.”
Jamie Banfield of Jamie Banfield Interior Design in Port Moody, British Columbia, said last week that for his firm, most communication with clients was already “via email or Skype,” so the virus hadn’t changed much.
As public health guidelines suggest social distancing, some pros are moving their communications away from in-person. “We are definitely taking steps due to the virus,” Raquel Steinfeld of Driftwood Design and Woodworking in Waltham, Massachusetts, said last week. “The main change has been conducting client meetings via Google Hangout instead of in person when possible.
“There are, of course, only so many meetings we can have virtually. Any actual construction or furniture design work has to be done in person.”
Alfin, the San Francisco designer, sent out an email to clients Monday outlining new coronavirus-driven business practices. “Starting today, Sabrina Alfin Interiors will be conducting business via phone call, email or web meeting, depending on the nature of the discussion or business at hand,” the email read.
“If physical samples are needed for decision-making, we will make sure you receive them via mail or ground shipping ahead of our discussions,” the email continued. “For our clients, we will also continue to use our cloud-based Ivy platform to review their respective dashboards for approvals, invoicing and payment. Job site visits to check on work completion and/or installations will be managed on a case-by-case basis, and will also be vetted via web tools whenever possible. We will continue to operate in this manner until state and local officials have deemed it appropriate to resume normal business practices.”
Jamie Banfield of Jamie Banfield Interior Design in Port Moody, British Columbia, said last week that for his firm, most communication with clients was already “via email or Skype,” so the virus hadn’t changed much.
Others Are Addressing Potential Project Changes Early
In addition to making changes to meeting locations or venues, some pros are proactively addressing questions clients may have during this uncertain time. General contractor Linda Machmeier of Signature Homes of the Chippewa Valley in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, said last week that she had communicated with her homeowners about the potential effect of the coronavirus on their projects. “I have had brief discussions with them to ensure that they know I will communicate with them if issues develop, such as subcontractors not available due to illness,” Machmeier said.
“I also have two homes that are being prepared for a Parade of Homes event in June. At this time this event is still moving forward. They have been given discounts for products to be shown during this event. I assured them I will address them keeping those discounts intact should the event be canceled.”
By Monday, Machmeier said that the fate of the Parade of Homes event, put on by the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association, was up in the air — it could be delayed or canceled entirely. “The issue with that is that our Parade of Homes is by far the largest source of revenue for our association,” Machmeier said. “Even if the Parade moves forward, I’m not yet sure of my clients’ level of comfort having 5,000 people through their home touching everything immediately prior to their move-in.
“Personally, I have canceled some in-home project planning meetings this week and will be wrestling with the wisdom of starting a couple of smaller home remodels where clients would be living in the home during the work,” Machmeier said Monday. “No decisions yet.”
Still other pros are continuing in-person meetings and communications as normal. “We’ve not really done anything different as we communicate with clients,” Sneller said last week. “Being a steady, low-drama, enthusiastic presence in people’s lives is what they need most during a construction project, coronavirus or not.”
In addition to making changes to meeting locations or venues, some pros are proactively addressing questions clients may have during this uncertain time. General contractor Linda Machmeier of Signature Homes of the Chippewa Valley in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, said last week that she had communicated with her homeowners about the potential effect of the coronavirus on their projects. “I have had brief discussions with them to ensure that they know I will communicate with them if issues develop, such as subcontractors not available due to illness,” Machmeier said.
“I also have two homes that are being prepared for a Parade of Homes event in June. At this time this event is still moving forward. They have been given discounts for products to be shown during this event. I assured them I will address them keeping those discounts intact should the event be canceled.”
By Monday, Machmeier said that the fate of the Parade of Homes event, put on by the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association, was up in the air — it could be delayed or canceled entirely. “The issue with that is that our Parade of Homes is by far the largest source of revenue for our association,” Machmeier said. “Even if the Parade moves forward, I’m not yet sure of my clients’ level of comfort having 5,000 people through their home touching everything immediately prior to their move-in.
“Personally, I have canceled some in-home project planning meetings this week and will be wrestling with the wisdom of starting a couple of smaller home remodels where clients would be living in the home during the work,” Machmeier said Monday. “No decisions yet.”
Still other pros are continuing in-person meetings and communications as normal. “We’ve not really done anything different as we communicate with clients,” Sneller said last week. “Being a steady, low-drama, enthusiastic presence in people’s lives is what they need most during a construction project, coronavirus or not.”
So Far the Supply Chain Is Flowing — but It Could Dry Up Fast
“All suppliers are saying essentially ‘confirm now or prepare to wait a very long time’ while the repercussions of the international supply chain disruptions work through the global economy,” Ruhl, the Boston-area architect, said Tuesday. “China, Italy and Spain supply a large proportion of materials and products that we work with on every project.”
Other pros had not yet experienced product delays, though several expected that they soon might. “So far I have not received any notifications of delayed production among U.S. manufacturers, though that may change if workers are told to stay home,” Alfin said last week.
“No supply chain issues as of yet. I do have some long-lead specialty items that I am allowing extra time to get, like custom skylights, slate roof,” Reed, the North Carolina contractor, said last week.
Machmeier, the Wisconsin contractor, is also taking precautions to ensure that supplies are ready when needed. “We have expedited some lighting and tile orders to make sure they arrive,” she said last week. “I have also reached out to subcontractors to make sure that they have supplies of materials on hand to complete my home projects.”
Others have noticed shortages only of products such as toilet paper and hand sanitizer. “The shelves are empty around here,” Salter said last week.
Martoccia-Fava in Orlando concurred. “Hand sanitizer is back-ordered till May online, and all the stores are out of toilet paper and paper towels,” she said last week.
“All suppliers are saying essentially ‘confirm now or prepare to wait a very long time’ while the repercussions of the international supply chain disruptions work through the global economy,” Ruhl, the Boston-area architect, said Tuesday. “China, Italy and Spain supply a large proportion of materials and products that we work with on every project.”
Other pros had not yet experienced product delays, though several expected that they soon might. “So far I have not received any notifications of delayed production among U.S. manufacturers, though that may change if workers are told to stay home,” Alfin said last week.
“No supply chain issues as of yet. I do have some long-lead specialty items that I am allowing extra time to get, like custom skylights, slate roof,” Reed, the North Carolina contractor, said last week.
Machmeier, the Wisconsin contractor, is also taking precautions to ensure that supplies are ready when needed. “We have expedited some lighting and tile orders to make sure they arrive,” she said last week. “I have also reached out to subcontractors to make sure that they have supplies of materials on hand to complete my home projects.”
Others have noticed shortages only of products such as toilet paper and hand sanitizer. “The shelves are empty around here,” Salter said last week.
Martoccia-Fava in Orlando concurred. “Hand sanitizer is back-ordered till May online, and all the stores are out of toilet paper and paper towels,” she said last week.
Several Pros Have Canceled Continuing Education Trips
Kalin, of Denver, said last week that he wouldn’t be going to a conference he had planned to attend, the Vegas Construction Expo, scheduled for March 10-14. (After we spoke with Kalin, the event shut down one day early because of the virus.) Kalin also has stopped taking clients to Colorado Avalanche hockey games.
Steinfeld, of Massachusetts, has canceled international travel. “For months we had been planning a trip to Japan to see Japanese woodworking, building and design, but unfortunately we had to cancel this trip. Although not a decision we made lightly, we felt it was the safest,” she says.
Reed canceled a conference he was planning to attend in April. “I already had hotel and plane tickets, so it’s a hit monetarily, but I just feel it’s too risky right now to travel for education,” he says.
More on Houzz
How to Communicate With Clients During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Read more stories for pros
Browse millions of photos for inspiration
Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
Kalin, of Denver, said last week that he wouldn’t be going to a conference he had planned to attend, the Vegas Construction Expo, scheduled for March 10-14. (After we spoke with Kalin, the event shut down one day early because of the virus.) Kalin also has stopped taking clients to Colorado Avalanche hockey games.
Steinfeld, of Massachusetts, has canceled international travel. “For months we had been planning a trip to Japan to see Japanese woodworking, building and design, but unfortunately we had to cancel this trip. Although not a decision we made lightly, we felt it was the safest,” she says.
Reed canceled a conference he was planning to attend in April. “I already had hotel and plane tickets, so it’s a hit monetarily, but I just feel it’s too risky right now to travel for education,” he says.
More on Houzz
How to Communicate With Clients During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Read more stories for pros
Browse millions of photos for inspiration
Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
Comments (34)
See 31 more comments
Beverly Thomas LLC