ᐅ Seminar for Prospective Homeowners: Yes or No?

Hello everyone,

I was recently asked why I don’t offer monthly day seminars for prospective homebuilders. My counter-question was: “Why should I? The building authorities as well as some well-known associations already offer similar courses regularly.” The reply was: “If it’s free, it’s worthless.”

Since then, my mind has been actively working to piece together the scattered fragments into a coherent whole, as well as to examine the truthfulness of that reply. Have I come any closer to a satisfying answer? Very clear: No; at least not yet; I’m still owed an answer myself.

Above all stands the question of how receptive people really are. Such a seminar should last at least—as with a good initial consultation—3 hours or more, since a seminar _also_ benefits from spontaneous discussions. I mostly hold consultation meetings in the evenings and know that this is no small task; most participants are noticeably exhausted afterward. Still, it takes several repetitions for basic knowledge to really settle in. So maybe 2-day seminars?

Slowly but surely, my personal mental movie is starting to give me a headache, so I’m putting some of my fragments out there for open discussion and hope for helpful answers and experiences that might hopefully clear the fog of my operational blindness.

• What should be included in a seminar for prospective homebuilders?
• Which information is outcome-oriented?
• What must distinguish a seminar from other similar offers?
• Are alternative offers even necessary?
• Why offer another option at all?
• Should the working methods of home salespeople / salesperson training be part of the seminar?
• Added value?
• Duration?
• Timing? Evenings or rather weekends?
• What are prospective homebuilders willing to invest in such a seminar?
• Are printed materials needed as a giveaway, so participants can review what they’ve learned?
• And much more.

If you think back to when you first started learning about homebuilding, what information would you have wished for? Or looking back—what information was ultimately missing? What do people want to know about homebuilding when they are just starting their considerations?

Thanks for reading + clearing the fog

Best regards, Bauexperte

Basically, I think the idea is quite good, based on what I know today. However, most future homeowners usually assume beforehand that it can’t be that difficult and probably don’t see the value of such an offer. So, “advertising” for it is definitely necessary; hardly anyone will attend on their own initiative.

The choice of topics will definitely be challenging because ideally, everything relevant to the homeowner should be covered:

• Preliminary considerations
• Plot of land
• Initial room layout
• Listing and monitoring costs
• Finding, evaluating, and deciding on partners
• Planning and material selection
• Construction supervision
• Work afterwards
• ...

There are so many different topics, some of which are quite dry. As a consultant and trainer, I know that this would be far too much for one day, and participants would probably retain only about 30% of the content.

On one hand, supporting materials are needed (which are very time-consuming to create), and on the other hand, there need to be several breaks with interactive elements, for example, something like “everyone should draw their desired floor plan on millimeter paper” to realize that it’s not that easy.

This means the duration would rather be two days, which raises the question of pricing. Considering how much time seminar development takes here, it probably wouldn’t be easy to break even. Unless the event is partially sponsored as a “promotional seminar” for one’s own services.

These were my spontaneous thoughts on the matter.

Many topics require repetition or first need time to be processed before one is ready to absorb the next information effectively. Therefore, it might be worth considering dividing the content over 5 to 6 sessions. For example, I could imagine scheduling one evening appointment per week within a month, each lasting about 3 hours, and every second Saturday a session of around 5 to 6 hours — more like a workshop to work through the weekly topics in a more practical way.

Bauexperte schrieb:

• What should be included in a seminar for potential home builders?

• Which information is result-oriented?

• How should a seminar distinguish itself from other, similar offerings?

• Are alternative options even necessary?

• Why offer an additional option at all?

• Should the working methods of home sellers/sales training be part of the seminar?

• Added value?

• Duration?

• Timing? Evening or rather on weekends?

• What are potential home builders willing to invest in such a seminar?

• Are printed materials needed as a takeaway to review the content?

• And much more.

You’re asking complicated questions today.

Okay. I have time to answer right now.

• What should be included in a seminar for potential home builders?
• TM: Construction methods. General contractor, subcontractors, architect. Explanation of “turnkey” projects. Government energy efficiency programs. Financing. Property search. Interpretation of zoning/planning documents. Building regulations. The role of additional construction costs. Types of heating systems. Climate control. Relevant trades and their scope. Construction supervision. The role of the client/home builder.

• How should a seminar distinguish itself from other, similar offerings?
TM: It should be completely neutral regarding providers and construction methods. Present pros and cons. Everyone has different criteria. The seminar should point out all possible pitfalls and risks in home building.

• Are alternative options even necessary?
TM: Yes.

• Why offer an additional option at all?
TM: Because prospective home builders struggle with many questions and, due to lack of knowledge, cannot make objective decisions that fit their individual situation.

• Should the working methods of home sellers/sales training be part of the seminar?
TM: I think no; the topic can be touched on, but not covered in depth. If at all, it should be a separate course.

• Added value?
TM: Create a clear picture, provide decision-making support, enable future home builders to make appropriate priorities. Provide checklists for prospective home builders.

• Duration?
TM: People get overwhelmed quickly. I think 4 hours are enough. Two courses that build on each other could be offered.

• Timing? Evening or rather on weekends?
TM: Weekend. People are usually tired after work in the evening. Saturday or Sunday, 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

• What are potential home builders willing to invest in such a seminar?
TM: Hard to estimate. I think 100 to 150 euros (per family) is reasonable if well organized. With 10 participants, the speaker can cover their costs.

• Are printed materials needed as a takeaway to review the content?
TM: Yes. Possibly also as a link or USB drive.

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic with me!

Uwe82 schrieb:

But most of the time, future homeowners think beforehand that it can’t be that difficult and probably don’t see the benefit of such an offer.

From my perspective, this is the biggest obstacle in the project, closely followed by the costs of such an offer.

Uwe82 schrieb:

That means advertising for it is definitely necessary; hardly anyone will come on their own.

Yes; quite a big challenge without any insider connections.

Uwe82 schrieb:

Choosing the topics will definitely be difficult because ideally everything affecting future homeowners should be discussed:

• Preliminary considerations
• Plot of land
• Initial floor plan
• Listing and monitoring costs
• Finding, evaluating, and selecting partners
• Planning and sample selections
• Construction supervision
• Work afterwards
• ...

Addressing these points at least at a basic level only works if I distinguish between homebuilding with an architect and homebuilding with a general contractor / construction manager; which would definitely require several days.

Uwe82 schrieb:

Unless you sponsor the event a bit as a "promotional seminar" for your own services.

That will be unavoidable. If I were to book a seminar, I would want to know more than just the name of the speaker. So advertising already starts with introducing who I am and why I am qualified to lead the seminar.

kbt09 schrieb:

Many topics also require repetition or at least the chance to process the information before being ready to absorb the next set of info effectively.

That’s true. The question is how much of that should reasonably be covered in one seminar?

kbt09 schrieb:

So you also have to consider splitting it over 5 to 6 sessions. For example, I could imagine holding one session each week in the evening, around 3 hours, and every second Saturday for about 5 to 6 hours… more like a workshop for practical follow-up to the weekly sessions.

I want to be upfront—I can’t provide that; I don’t make my living from giving talks. The fees I would have to charge for that kind of time would hardly be welcomed.

However, I could plan one session per week; that would also give attendees the chance to review and deepen their questions.

T21150 schrieb:

You’re asking complicated questions today.

Guilty as charged.

T21150 schrieb:

What should a seminar for prospective homeowners include?

• TM: Construction methods. General contractors, construction managers, architects. Clarification about so-called turnkey construction. KfW (state development bank) financing. Finding a plot. Interpreting development plans. Building regulations. Role of additional construction costs. Types of heating. Air conditioning. Relevant trades and scope. Construction monitoring. Role of the homeowner.

Financing, heating, and climate control are themselves quite complex topics; each would need its own specialized seminar. Therefore, I would only briefly include these topics in the preparation phase of the seminar.

I prefer to offer and do only what I can confidently and reliably represent; trying to cover everything like a general store certainly isn’t part of that. Here, as in professional life, I would always recommend consulting the relevant expert.

T21150 schrieb:

What distinguishes a seminar from other, similar offerings?

• TM: It should be completely neutral regarding providers and building methods. Present pros and cons. Everyone has different criteria. The seminar should also point out all possible pitfalls and risks in homebuilding.

Apart from the presentation of myself—which hardly can be free of promotion—I agree with you.

T21150 schrieb:

Why even offer another option?

• TM: Because aspiring homeowners struggle with many questions and, due to lack of knowledge, cannot make objective decisions suited to their individual situation.

There are already so many good sources of information and presentations. Why should potential homeowners invest in a seminar organized by me? I can’t offer it free—it’s something I already do plenty here; I also can’t offer it for free, otherwise my partner would rightly question my sanity; nor do I want to sell it at bargain prices. A good seminar requires a lot of preparation and even more commitment to provide tangible benefits to participants.

T21150 schrieb:

What are potential homeowners willing to invest in such a seminar?

• TM: Difficult to estimate. I think 100 to 150 Euros (per family) would be worth it if it is well organized. If 10 people come, the speaker can cover their costs.

The VBZ charges €1.86 per minute for phone consultation; the BHS requires membership—any additional services are charged extra; the Private Homeowners’ Association charges €280 for membership (access to checklists), plus one “free” hour of new building consultation. All these organizations also offer further paid services.

What you describe as seminar content at the suggested price range cannot result in a profit. I would even argue that it wouldn’t break even unless you mean per evening.

Best regards, Bauexperte

Bauexperte schrieb:
What you describe as the scope of the seminar cannot result in a profit given the proposed budget. I would even go so far as to say it wouldn’t even break even; unless you mean per evening.

Hi Bauexperte,

I meant per evening. Community college courses for 150 euros for 25 evenings… let’s not go there. This is about construction, not continuing education courses.

I did not intend to start a financial or time disaster with the suggestion. Good work deserves to be properly paid.

With a duration of 4 hours, you cannot go into depth on all the topics I mentioned. That would be crazy; it simply isn’t possible in 4 hours. But the important thing is: most people have never even heard of these topics. Bullet points. Critical issues. Terms that stick and are conveyed clearly and lastingly. Of course, participants will have to explore and research everything further on their own later — or purchase additional services from a professional, which your company (that is, you yourself) provides. The seminar should be neutral. Yes. But you are a specialist.

Bauexperte schrieb:
There are already so many good sources of information and lectures. Why should potential home builders invest their money in a seminar I organize? I can’t offer it free of charge — I already do that too often here; nor can I offer it more, or my partner would rightfully question my sanity — nor do I want to sell it at bargain prices. A good seminar requires a lot of preparation and even more upfront effort if participants are to benefit measurably.

- You are an expert. You have extensive, well-founded knowledge.
- Of those great and amazing seminars you mentioned — are they secret? Where can you find information about them? Exactly. Nowhere. Not even in reputable home building magazines. People, including myself and everyone I know who has built a home, approach construction inexperienced and with a “we’ll-make-it-work-somehow” attitude and then face all kinds of surprises later. Many of these could be avoided if beginners had a few key points and critical issues in mind. But none of them do.
- Furthermore, you are able to offer something independent of any homebuilder company.
- I believe you are more than capable of presenting the essential content and impulses of such a seminar in just a few hours in an engaging and vivid way. I am convinced of the value; you could easily manage it.
- You are not an association or the like, but a real expert.
- You can answer questions during and after the presentation.
- You have a very large catchment area.
- There is clear demand (just look at all the questions in this forum).
- The demand will definitely continue or even grow in the coming years.
- Therefore, I consider it quite possible that additional income in reasonable proportion to your effort in delivering the seminar could be achieved (and earning money is nothing to be ashamed of).

Thorsten