Halifax gets new look for new philosophy

Halifax Estate Agents have begun a multi-million pound refurbishment to make each branch "a high street shop for everything to do with homes".

16:33 03 June 2004

Halifax Estate Agents have begun a multi-million pound refurbishment of their 330-strong branch network, which aims to make each one "a high street shop for everything to do with homes".

A third of the branches will be refurbished this year and the whole network will boast the "Move, Improve and Inspire" zones by the end of 2006. the EstateAgencyNews website reports.

The new-look branches are designed to provide homeowners with a one-stop shop for everything to do with their homes, from finding a new one to improving the one they already have.

The refurbishment comes on the back of a year-long review which considered how to de-mystify estate agencies by providing a retail experience, rather than a daunting and complicated financial one.

The result is an environment which includes three distinct zones designed to deal with the three different areas of interest for homeowners or prospective homeowners.

The first of the distinct zones, the Move area, includes details of homes for sale in traditional paper format but also gives access to the internet so customers can browse through properties on Homes Online.

This area also introduces buyers to the extras involved in owning a home, such as the first time buyer guide, which provides a checklist, budgeting tools and a reminder that home insurance and changing utility suppliers is all part of the process of buying a first home.

The Improve zone is specifically aimed at customers who don't necessarily want to move home but would like to improve the one they're currently in.

Some 43 per cent of homeowners in England and Wales quizzed in a recent Halifax survey said they planned to carry out home improvements in the next 12 months. 55 per cent of these are expecting to spend more than 1,000.