Golor sells plumbing

"It would take only one day of selling plumbing fixtures in a retail store to convince any West Coast builder that color is what today's homeowner wants for his bathroom," observed a major exhibitor at San Francisco's recent Pacific Coast Builders Conference show.

Ken Sullivan, Western region manager for Borg-Warner Plumbing Products, continued: "When given a choice, five out of six homeowners planning a bathroom renovation or addition will choose color over conventional white bathroom fixtures.

"Our sales figures and marketing research show conclgively that Amer. ican consumers strongly prefer color for their bath/shower units, toilets, lavatories and other bathroom fixtures. And there is also a retail trend away from bottom-of-the-line fixtures in favor of those ofiering greater style and convenience.tn

He explains that his company's PCBC exhibit is built around the theme "Opportunities With Color." He says the idea is to make builders and contractors more aware of this trend to color and style, and equally aware of the very modest upgrading required to capitalize on it.

"Consumer tastes in bathroom fixtures are not extravagant," he continues, "but they aren't bland, either. While they may not select an ornate, custom-built fixture, consumers will buy a low-silhouette toilet in color, for example, since it is more stylish, comfortable and easy to clean."

Observing that many builders feel they're reducing their risk and cost by staying with a conventional white bathroom, Sullivan adds, however, that in his view they actually increase their risks and costs if they fail to appeal to current consumer taste.

"The bathroom is no longer shut ofi when guests or prospective home buyers arrive. People now see the bathroom as a definite part of a home's total style and decor, as well as a resale factor," Sullivan says.