Reasons to be optimistic in 2025, says Leads 2 Trade MD

Andy Royle, Managing Director and co-founder of Leads 2 Trade, gives his annual predictions for 2025 for the industry

While 2024 presented its challenges, particularly with the reduced interest from consumers for domestic solar and the impact of rising interest rates on consumer spending, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about what 2025 has in store for both Leads 2 Trade and the wider home improvement industry.

Despite a tough year, we saw a 61.95% increase in consumer enquiries for double glazing compared to 2023, and a 39.68% uplift in revenue generated from them.

There’s a big appetite from our fenestration members for more leads and, while that’s a positive from our perspective, it tells us it’s a struggle for fenestration companies at the minute because the demand for our services greatly increases when companies aren’t generating enough opportunities themselves.

We diversified into new product areas such as fascias, soffits and guttering, which we expect to continue to grow, while the replacement conservatory roof market has been very strong for us.

There are encouraging signs as we head into 2025, with the banks announcing interest rate reductions which, once passed down to mortgage lenders, should help restore consumer confidence and spending. This positivity is already being reflected in conversations with installers, who are showing increased optimism for the year ahead.

We’re exploring SIP panel single storey extensions as an alternative consideration to a traditional conservatory which we feel could make a positive market impact, as they offer homeowners a modern, efficient solution for creating open-plan living spaces with minimal disruption, at a cheaper cost than a larger conservatory or orangery.

A game-changer has been our TLS discount scheme, which provides the consumer with the best price from one of our Trusted Local Installers,  20% discount off the installers lowest price, not an inflated one means the consumer gets a great deal and our Trusted Local Installer members get access to a sales closing tool that guarantees the lowest cost of sale and reduces conversion rates from 1 in 3 or 4 to 1 in 1.2. We expect this to really take off in 2025.

With the industry showing strong signs of recovery, we’re looking forward to continuing to be that extended arm of our members’ businesses and helping them achieve growth in what promises to be a more positive year ahead.