Leading housebuilder Redrow will reopen its sales centres and show homes to buyers and existing customers from Monday the 18th of May, following updated guidance issued by Government to re-start the English housing market.
The guidance now allows the opening of sales offices and show homes and permits viewings and removal companies and other essential parts of the sales process to re-start with immediate effect. Customers can book appointments for Monday onwards immediately via Redrow’s website.
Over the last few weeks, Redrow has developed robust plans for its workforce and customers which include stringent social distancing protocols, rigorous cleaning regimes and a range of physical measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19. This includes several already fitted adaptations to sales centres and site facilities. Redrow has produced videos for both customers and construction employees which offer clear guidance so both fully understand the new processes in place.
John Tutte, Executive Chairman at Redrow, comments: “We are pleased that the Government’s updated guidance now permits the reopening of our sales centres and show homes. This will allow existing customers already midway through the process to recommence their property transaction and for new customers to make appointments to view and reserve a new home. Together with the phased return of our construction workers earlier this month, we’re now able to better support our customers throughout their property journey. Our aim has been to create a new Redrow way of doing things for colleagues, customers and partners, which reflects best practice when it comes to social distancing and reducing the spread of Covid-19.”
Alongside the robust procedures in place to support customers wishing to physically view developments, Redrow has also invested heavily in technology to enable a smoother virtual transaction. Through their My Redrow customer portal, buyers can view different developments and plots online, select chosen plots and even select and review optional upgrades to their home. Last year, Redrow launched an online reservation service which also now allows buyers to legally complete the reservation of their new home online, further minimising the need to spend hours in sales centres. This service allows customers to read and review all documents from the consumer code and warranty information, through to a series of pre-reservation legal documents, at their own pace and in their own home.
Summary of process for customers entering a sales centre:
- From Monday, all viewings and meetings at Redrow developments in England will be by appointment only, and on arrival signage encourages customers to wait in their car in an allocated space until called to attend the sales office.
- Sales consultants will always remain two metres away from the customer and will be situated behind a protective screen in the sales centre.
- Sales consultants will guide customers through any collateral or documentation via iPads connected to TV screens, allowing customers to view imagery and plot availability with ease and without handling documents and tablets.
- Customers will visit show homes unaccompanied following a briefing.
- Hand sanitiser will be available throughout the sales centre and all customers will receive an overview of Redrow’s comprehensive safety measures at the start of all appointments.
- A thorough cleanse will be performed after each appointment.
All measures meet the Government’s ‘Covid-19 Secure’ principles.