Many types of sustainable design can save homeowners money both now and over the lifetime of the home. Sustainable design, green building, energy tax credits, and energy audits are all things that a homeowner may or may not have an understanding of. Those who have some familiarity with the terms may discuss options with you, or they may already have wrong information that green options are prohibitively costly.
The truth is that there are now a variety of sustainable and green building options that are affordable and can lower home bills long term. Homeowners won’t bring up a topic they don’t know is relevant, that’s why you need to plan to open the conversation yourself. Give your homeowners the option to learn what’s available, empowering them to make better decisions for their homes and their wallets.
Why Educate
The remodeling business is a service business, built on relationships. Your knowledge and expertise are an invaluable aspect of your service. As you listen to your clients and learn about their priorities, take stock of which aspects of sustainable design will forward their goals. Sustainable design is good for the earth but it also has many benefits that are less altruistic.
With asthma and similar environmental illnesses on the rise, sustainable design can improve the air quality and health of occupants. While energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs can produce some financial savings, a sustainably built home with a green energy source can drastically reduce utility bills creating long-term savings.
A significant aspect of sustainability is the intent for a building to last through generations, this means homeowners will experience less cost from home upkeep over the years since their home was built inside out with quality in mind. Many homeowners aren’t aware that sustainable design is also simply more comfortable, a home that saves energy has carefully designed air-flow and is easier to keep at ideal temperatures.
When you introduce clients to new sustainable building methods that forward their goals and meet their priorities, they, in turn, are more likely to:
- Give you favorable reviews
- Recommend your services to friends and family
- Allow you to use images of their homes for portfolios
This means that you can separate yourself from competitors by leveraging the green and sustainable niche for your business. In an industry where there is plenty of competition, having this kind of experience and reputation can expand your business opportunities.
Ways to Improve or Certify Your Knowledge
There are a handful of well established green and sustainably developed home organizations that can expand and accredit your experience. Become an Energy STAR Partner, a LEED Green Associate, or develop your reputation as a Pro who uses the National Green Building Standard to certify your homes.
Each of these names already have their own marketing. Clients who are already savvy to sustainable home ideals can find your business through the well-established names of Energy STAR, LEED, or NGBS.
Sustainable design for homes is a fast developing industry, many countries have already some sort of pledge to transition to exclusively sustainably built homes in the future. This means there’s worldwide incentive to forward the industry. Green home science, products, and ideas are constantly being honed and adapted. That’s another reason it’s important for you as the Pro to stay educated, a homeowner outside of our industry simply won’t be able to keep up with what’s available. You can be the Pro that your clients rely on to have current and reliable knowledge of sustainable options.
Improve the earth, do right by your clients, and grow your business, there’s really no downside.