Why developers must deliver what is promised

dubai - An offering that delivers on its promises is an offering that creates its own market

It is one thing to somehow manage to meet the basic requirements and an entirely different thing to deliver what is actually promised. The difference is the fulfilment of your customers' aspirations, and hence, your own. Buildings aren't just buildings, they are a lot more than that. Those in the industry who understand this are able to make good on their promises while the others fall behind. The smallest things add up to make the most significant impact when it comes to constructing buildings. Modern, ergonomic designs need to look at factoring in everything.

On the one hand, low floor area ratios, plot coverage and setback limits need to be focused on. On the other hand, reduced end-user costs, higher convenience, practicality, energy efficiency and added values need to be incorporated as well. All these things come together to catalyse excellent economies of scale and end-user satisfaction alike. To achieve both these primary objectives simultaneously is what enables entities to not just deliver on their promises, but even surpass them often at times.

Efficiency is key
It majorly comes down to efficiency, be it the efficiency of the utilisation of space, or the efficiency of building materials used. It is imperative to understand here that cost efficiency and cost reduction are not the same things. Those focusing on cost reductions often end up falling short on the expectations they set. However, those wasting precious resources on unplanned executions that they think might work out end up in the same boat as well.

Efficiency refers to quality design, low maintenance costs, maximum utilisation of building materials and minimum wastage in any shape way or form, from the construction stage to the point of resale even, when the property has been inhabited for a few years already.

Efficiency lies in the smallest of things, that are most likely to be neglected.

When a building is being built, and houses are being designed, for example, there are a lot of things that can be done during the design stage itself that can contribute to reducing maintenance costs and enhancing the quality of housing. The construction of naturally lit corridors and the use of sensor-controlled lighting in common areas, for example, will continue to save costs and energy throughout the life of the building, while making for a beautiful and modern place for customers to want to have a house in. The use of epoxy paint in stairwells in another small way of reducing the overall maintenance cost to customers as the time needed between re-paintings will increase with reduced damage.

Similarly, a number of substantial things can be done inside the house as well. The use of granite flooring and quartz kitchen platforms, for example, goes a long way in contributing to the convenience of the inhabitants because they're easy to maintain as these surfaces stain less and this also reduces the cleaning cost.

Moreover, their water absorption is minimal and their nature more durable. There are many such areas where attention to detail in terms of quality and costing can really do wonders for the whole architecture itself.

Apt pricing is crucial
Creating an exceptional product or service is essential for it to succeed, but that can only happen if it is priced aptly. Appropriate pricing is the key to driving profitability because your prices are not supposed to make your offering appear unaffordable to your buyers. It should be able to empower your customers to make a positive purchase decision.

For you to add value to your offering, it is not necessary for you to incur towering expenses and pass them on to your customers. A smart strategy and attention to detail can actually enhance the quality of your offering manifold without increasing its price because affordable housing doesn't have to lack imagination, and quality inputs don't always cost a bomb.

It is crucial to understand that delivering what you promise is not just about meeting the customers' needs; it is also about fulfilling their dreams. An offering that delivers on its promises is an offering that creates its own market.

The writer is director and partner of Danube Properties. Views expressed are his own and do not reflect the newspaper's policy.