CHICAGO — Technology has become an increasingly integral component in the operations of kitchen and bath design firms, with design and video-conferencing software, online-purchasing platforms, sophisticated communications tools, web-based marketing and artificial intelligence (AI) among the advances critical to success in an increasingly tech-savvy market.
That’s the key finding of a nationwide survey of kitchen/bath dealers and design firms conducted by Kitchen & Bath Design News in conjunction with KBDN’s exclusive research partner, Bryan Research.
Surveyed business owners told KBDN that they are spending, on average, 8.4% of their annual operating budget on technology, although about one in three report they expect that percentage to increase in 2025. Interestingly, nearly 4% report that they spend more than 30% of their annual operating budget on technological advancements, a reflection of both technological advances and increasingly tech-savvy clients.
According to the survey’s findings, the vast majority of respondents (93.4%) report that they currently utilize some form of technology to communicate with clients and prospects. 97% of those polled said they regularly use email, while more than half use video-conferencing software such as Zoom and FaceTime. Moreover, nearly 14% use online platforms that allow clients to execute purchase decisions. In contrast, only about 9% currently offer virtual showroom tours, and less than 2% use none of those communications tools.
In additional survey findings, nearly 80% of those polled report that they currently utilize design software. In contrast, roughly 90% say they do not employ virtual reality to assist in their interactions with clients. Of those who utilize virtual reality, it is invariably used to show clients design possibilities for their kitchen, bath or other-room space.
The greatest challenge they experience with business technology, survey respondents report, is with the expense for hardware and software, and the learning curve involved in incorporating the technology into their business operations. Other challenges include keeping up with changes to both the technology and the training time involved for staff, using it with customers, and the need to be “on” 24/7.
