Wearing the goggles, homebuilders can walk through virtually constructed life-size version of their future home. A right turn while wearing the goggles equals a right turn in the home. It is here that homebuilders truly get a feel for what it will be like to walk through the home once it’s complete.
Peter said two things typically happen when a homebuilder walks through their virtual home. First, they’re having more fun than they have had throughout the building process. “For many, designing a home is a stressful time,” he said. “Not only is the virtual reality incredibly useful, but it’s fun. The more fun we make it, the better it is.” Eventually, word of mouth brings in homebuilders who also insist on the virtual reality experience.
The second trend that Peter has noticed is that homebuilders who experience a virtual reality tour of their home inevitably expand upon their original plans. Peter says a number of builders have returned to him for upgraded plans and, in turn, more materials for the build.
“Our builders are taking a lot of ownership in this,” Peter said. “That makes me feel good.”
Taking It On The Road
From sketches and ideas to functioning virtual plans, Simonson Lumber is now turning around plans in three to five days. Recently, a contractor needed 10 projects done and Peter’s team turned them around in three days. Peter has been talking with other lumberyards and even larger architectural firms, and is now subcontracting presentations, providing the BIMx, 3D printouts and virtual reality to go along with existing house plans.
Peter admits that the jury is still out on his investment in technology—only two years in, he’s just now at a point where he’s starting to expand beyond his immediate market. Three months ago, he said, he didn’t feel finished with the investment. Now, he has done some traveling to present his services.
“If I had my way, we’d have a yard in every major metro area that we would partner with,” he said. “The idea that you have to physically be present isn’t as important as it used to be.”
Peter knows the future of his family business lies in the investment he has made in technology and workforce, and acknowledges that he couldn’t have made the leap alone. His secret weapons, he said, are the next generation coming up behind him: his son, Peter, and nephew Zachary, who are both “technology geniuses” as well as his sister, Kimberly Simonson, who serves as vice president of sales and marketing.
With those secret weapons in mind, Peter is hitting the road with his company’s technology showcase, and says there are “no limits” on partnership possibilities.
