Pricing and Marketing of Central Vacuums
Throughout the United States, the average price charged for central vacuum inlets is around $85-90 on new construction houses (electrified) and approximately $140 in existing homes. VacPans sell for anywhere from $125-150 each. These prices, however, vary based on the cost of living in a certain location, real estate value of homes, etc. For example, in the San Francisco Bay Area, new construction valves go as high as $150. On the other hand, near the Canada border prices can be very low per inlet.
Most central vacuum dealers will charge retail price for the equipment. Conversely, for a dealer working with homebuilders or housing developers, it is not unusual for him to provide them with a small discount on the equipment. This can be done because they will naturally become repeat customers, not requiring the cost of additional advertising.
Direct job-site marketing to homebuilders is also a great return on an investment. Showing up on the jobsite of a building location and offering knowledgeable solutions with a professional approach can easily win builders. There are also many areas of the country that make lists of projects available to the community which have applied for building permits. These lists are public record and companies make a living recording this data and selling it to people who want to sell to the homeowners. (See www.buildingsunderdesign.com)
I used to love showing up at job sites on Saturday mornings to find the homeowners. They are the ones that will quickly get you a following! Across the nation home shows are also great forms of marketing. For this to be most effective, you need to have an active, flashy booth that draws people in. You cannot simply sit on your hands and wait for people to come up to talk to you. Central vacuum marketing takes a lot of work, but will build long-term customers who will certainly be more satisfied with a central vacuum than the alternative.