Green Housing in 2013

United States Green Building Council
The housing industry is still in one of the most depressed times in many recent years. With this down turn the focus to include green in a project may get pushed aside. Budgets are tight and many builders have the concept that green building costs more and in some cases it does. But it does not have to cost more and the suppliers in the building industry could help change the higher cost stigma.

This post is directed more to the building material supply industry. Many in the industry have not engaged the green concept and are quick to tell customers it cost more to discourage the customer from wanting to be green. Like I said in some cases it does cost more up front.

Look at an energy efficient window. It may have a higher up front cost but it does not cost more to install. But the higher cost is recouped from savings on the heating and cooling bill. Many products can be looked at this same way. What is the cost over two years, five years or ten years and then determine if it costs more.
The material suppliers could gain great benefits from engaging the green concept. But it takes more than just defining which products qualify in a green program. It takes learning the process and helping customers through the process. What differentiates different suppliers? Service! Some will say it is the product or the price. But service is what makes customers return. Learn Energy Finance Analytics' LEED commissioning services or NAHB Green Program process to help your customer whether a contractor or a home owner through the process and you will be the person that will get the next green project from this customer.
Some of the ways to learn more about the green building process is:
  • Studying the different guides.
  • Reading from the internet.
  • Joining Green committees
  • Reading Green Building books
  • Reading the many blogs about Green Building.

This list can go on and on but the key is the learn the whole process not just about the products. Many lumber suppliers of log siding products get caught up in just the wood supplied but there is so much more. Recycled wood products, reclaimed wood and alternatives to wood are more of what a lumber supplier needs to know. How do the different products compare, what are each of the benefits and what are the cost differences. How can you truly sell a product if you don’t know what you are selling against? Digging in and learning the process is going to be a great benefit for any supplier in the economy of today.

Related articles

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do People Still Use Trash Compactors?

Image
Prior to the Industrial Revolution and into the 19th century there was very little trash in America. People found a way to reuse almost every scrap of waste. That changed when manufacturers began packaging goods to attract consumers. It wasn't long before “taking out the trash” became a chore no one was fond of doing. The invention of the trash compactor was a combination of several machines. One may say M.S. Wells started the trend in 1941 when he invented a machine used to crush oil cans. Two employees of the manufacturer Compackager designed machines more suitable for home and office use. Commercial trash compactors became an instant hit after their introduction. They are still frequently used by restaurants, hotels, medical facilities and other businesses that produce large amounts of waste. As with many appliances, the first compactors introduced for home use were considered a novelty. They were expensive and mostly available to the rich. They were bulky, noisy and s
Read more

Ways to Increase Your Property Value

Image
It's no secret that the real estate market is red hot right now. If you are looking to take advantage of the market and want to get the most for your house, consider these home improvements.   Curb Appeal Making a good first impression can go a long way when it comes to selling your home. If you are selling your home, consider updating your curb appeal. Replace any plants or scrubs that aren't looking their best. Swap out faded mulch or plant some flowers for a pop of color. These are quick and relatively inexpensive ways to draw a potential buyer in from the get-go. Energy-Efficient Improvements  There are numerous energy-efficient upgrades you can make for your home. Kitchens are known to be big selling points for homes so consider new energy efficient kitchen appliances. It might also be beneficial to think about a new  energy-efficient furnace  for colder climates or central air for warmer clients.  Paint, Paint, and Paint A new coat of paint does wonders to freshen up a ho
Read more

Selling Your Home the Right Way

Image
If you expect to sell a home in the near future, there are many things you can do before you put your home on the market to help get you the offers you want more quickly. From fixing up trouble spots to hiring a professional, you can get a better price by making your home more attractive to buyers. The first step to make your home more appealing is to make it look bigger and more attractive. Buyers are always in the "would I live here" mindset, and no one wants to live in a dirty, cluttered or old looking house. Unless it's a cool looking old house . The easiest way to make you home look bigger is to clean up the messes and general "stuff". Cleaner houses appear to be bigger for some reason. Also, having proper lighting always makes rooms appear larger, more attractive and more inviting. Apply a fresh coat of paint or get carpets professionally cleaned before an open house, so buyers can see the house in the best condition possible. Increase curb appeal
Read more