Specialising in quick, fuss-free interior revamps at reasonable cost, The Crafters has helped many a homeowner clinch that precious deal in a competitive rental market by transforming tired-looking rooms into appealing spaces. To get a better idea of what they have to offer, we spoke to The Crafters.
Qanvast: First and foremost, why the focus on the rental market?
The Crafters (TC): That has got a lot to do with our mission, and the reason why The Crafters was founded in the first place. Our aim is simple, we want to help property owners attract top dollar for their homes at minimal cost, while giving renters a nice place to live in as well.
I guess it also helps that I was once a real estate agent. Having worked in the property line, I have some insights into the rental market, both in terms of what today’s renters are looking for, and what can be done to make a rental property more attractive.
Qanvast: What were some of the challenges that you encountered when The Crafters first started? And how did the team overcome them?
TC: For us, the challenge mostly lay in growing in the business. At the start, most owners didn’t see the benefit of using our service and were content with decorating their homes by simply mixing-and-matching pieces of furniture. It took time and effort on our part to educate homeowners about the changing (rental) market situation, and to convince them about the benefits of using our service.
There were also owners who felt we weren’t experienced enough, but we eventually won them over with our sincerity as well as the impressive design portfolios of our team members.
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Qanvast: Tell us more about the services involved in the work that The Crafters does.
TC: In most cases, it’ll take us 30 days to complete an entire makeover project. Clients can sit back and leave the design conceptualisation and execution to us.
We usually start by studying the site and the local rental market, before advising our clients on what they can do to maximise their home’s appeal.
After the details are confirmed, the team will then start the makeover. Also, while The Crafters doesn’t handle property listings directly, we do pass them on to experienced property agents and/or management firms as a value-added service for our clients.
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After
Qanvast: What are some the common makeover tasks that The Crafters team engages in to make a home rental-ready?
TC: When it comes to brand-new units, we tend to focus on enhancing their appearance and basic functionality. Lighting units and fans are first installed, followed by a feature wall that we create with either wallpaper, panelling, wooden frames or vinyl. After that’s done, we start building cabinetry, like kitchen cabinetry and built-in wardrobes.
We’ll also ensure that the different elements, such as colours and furniture, match up with each other as well as the various decorative ornaments that we include to create the right ‘wow’ feel for prospective tenants.
Qanvast: To sum things up, could you tell us what differentiates The Crafters from interior designers and renovation contractors?
TC: Compared to regular contractors, I would say that we’re much more capable at creating home settings that are up-to-date with current market tastes. Most contractors are focused on the technical side of renovations, and less on the aesthetic side.
Also, we are a more affordable option than interior designers, especially for homeowners who are interested in preparing to rent out their property. Our makeovers take less time to complete as well, which is great for homeowners who have tighter timelines.
Want to see more? Check out The Crafters portfolio here!