The Demand for Green Living is a Major Opportunity for Home Improvement Franchises

Research conducted by the NHBA found that not only did the green home building market increase from 2% to 17% between 2005 and 2011, but that figure is expected to increase all the way to 30% by 2016. Because so many new homes are being built with green features, it shouldn't come as a surprise that more homeowners than ever are interested in having these features added to their existing home. As a future House Doctors franchise owner, this presents a very exciting opportunity for your business.

What Green Improvements Do Homeowners Want?

When it comes to living a green lifestyle, homeowners want to be energy, earth, health and water smart. That means they need professionals who can make those types of changes to their home at an appealing price point. A common example of what a homeowner may be interested in is a programmable thermostat. By utilizing this device, they'll be able to reduce their energy usage without compromising the comfort of their home.

Another example is sealing someone's home and/or upgrading their insulation. Both of these options will significantly reduce the amount of energy that goes to waste. Other options that have ongoing demand from homeowners include solar water heaters, tankless water heaters, and energy efficient windows and doors.

Keep in mind that not every homeowner who's interested in green living knows exactly what they want. Instead, they're just as interested in getting advice from a source they can trust. Because the House Doctors brand is in that exact position, it provides the opportunity for your business to capitalize on fulfilling the role of being a consultant. That role will provide even more leverage throughout the sales process.

Energy efficient lighting is the perfect example of what can come from that kind of role. Making this transition may be as simple as swapping out existing bulbs for compact fluorescent lights. But since that's not something every homeowner knows about, they need professional guidance, as well as any additional recommendations.

What About Remodels?

In addition to adding a few features throughout a home, there are plenty of homeowners who are interested in taking things a step further by doing a complete remodel on one or more areas of their home. The best way to appeal to this type of homeowner is to provide a comprehensive solution for what they want. For example, you can communicate that not only will you put thought into what materials are used for the project, but also that any materials that get removed will be handled in an environmentally responsible manner.

Speaking of materials, some of the specific topics you can address are that linoleum is a greener choice than vinyl, paint should be low or no-VOC, and reclaimed wood, cork or bamboo are excellent choices for flooring materials. And when it comes to choosing new appliances or similar additions, options like Energy Star appliances and low-flow toilets are very green.

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