Feud Continues Between Wood Certifiers
By Leora Broydo Vestel
United States Fish & Wildlife Service A group filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission last week arguing that the premier certifier of eco-friendly wood products in the United States engages in unfair trade practices.
Another shot had been fired in the battle between rival certifiers of environmentally friendly wood products.
The Coalition for Fair Forest Certification filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission last week charging that the Forest Stewardship Council – the premier certifier of green forestry products in the United States – engages in unfair and deceptive trade practices.
The group also asserted that the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system for efficient and sustainable buildings — known widely as L.E.E.D. — is anticompetitive because it only recognizes products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and not those of other certifying bodies.
A letter submitted on behalf of the coalition by the law firm Steptoe & Johnson asks the trade commission to investigate. Read more.
Who is liable for green building performance?
As standards become more stringent, experts urge care on guarantees
By D. Ashley Furness, Business Journal Staff Reporter
Green building performance, or rather failure to perform, has long topped the list of legal risks related to sustainability-minded construction, but developers face even greater stakes this year as government-mandated LEED standards loom and achieving certification becomes more difficult.
“Whether it’s the engineer, architect contractor, builder, the biggest issue in green building is writing careful construction contracts that do not guarantee a certain level of performance,” said North Coast Builders Exchange Green Building Coordinator Hallie Fraser. Read more.
Showing posts with label Green. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Green. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Tee Bridges Appointed to State Task Force
Tee Bridges, of Stones Home Centers in Bainbridge has been appointed to represent The Construction Suppliers Association on the Residential Green Building Code Task Force of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
This task force was formed in response to increasing interest and requests by local governments and the building industry. The Department of Community Affairs (DCA), upon authorization by the State Codes Advisory Committee (SCAC), is working to develop a statewide residential green building code. This code will be based on the ICC-700, National Green Building Standard, developed by the International Code Council (ICC) and the National Association of Home Builders
The purpose of the Task Force is to review this code and make recommendations to the SCAC regarding its adoption and the adoption of any supplements and amendments. Upon approval by the SCAC and the DCA Board, this code will take effect on January 1, 2011 as an optional code. Local governments would first have to adopt this code if they choose to enforce it.
CSA is thrilled that Tee will be a part of this task force, helping to shape the future of green building codes in Georgia. Thank you, Tee, for your contribution.
This task force was formed in response to increasing interest and requests by local governments and the building industry. The Department of Community Affairs (DCA), upon authorization by the State Codes Advisory Committee (SCAC), is working to develop a statewide residential green building code. This code will be based on the ICC-700, National Green Building Standard, developed by the International Code Council (ICC) and the National Association of Home Builders
The purpose of the Task Force is to review this code and make recommendations to the SCAC regarding its adoption and the adoption of any supplements and amendments. Upon approval by the SCAC and the DCA Board, this code will take effect on January 1, 2011 as an optional code. Local governments would first have to adopt this code if they choose to enforce it.
CSA is thrilled that Tee will be a part of this task force, helping to shape the future of green building codes in Georgia. Thank you, Tee, for your contribution.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
NLBMDA News: U.S. Green Building Council Introduces LEED for Homes Affiliate Program
On August 20, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced the introduction of its new LEED for Homes Affiliate Program. The program allows regional green home building programs to promote the growing green residential market by partnering with USGBC as a LEED for Homes Affiliate. This new program is designed to work flexibly and smoothly with other third-party green home providers. According to USGBC, the objective of this new program is to increase the availability of the green homes stock through collaborations with local green home building programs across the country by further promoting sustainable design and energy-and-resource efficiency in all dwellings.
"This is an important step forward as we advocate for full marketplace adoption of green home building. One of the greatest benefits of the LEED green home certification program is its continual progress and flexibility," said Nate Kredich, Vice President, Residential Market Development, USGBC. "Through the LEED for Homes Affiliate Program, green residential programs can partner with us to further promote green homes."
To address the need for knowledgeable green home building professionals, the Green Building Certification Institute implemented specializations for its LEED professional credentialing. The LEED Accredited Professional + Homes specialty allows LEED AP candidates to specialize as a green building expert in the residential field, advancing the construction of green homes by employing green building professionals.
The first two green home building programs that have signed-on to be LEED for Homes Affiliates are the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas and Minnesota GreenStar. USGBC and HBA Greater Dallas have previously teamed up through Green Built North Texas, a voluntary partnership of local home builders, industry supporters and sponsors committed to green homes in North Central Texas. Minnesota GreenStar, a third-party green home building certification system, recognizes that its challenging climates require residential energy efficiency. Read more.
"This is an important step forward as we advocate for full marketplace adoption of green home building. One of the greatest benefits of the LEED green home certification program is its continual progress and flexibility," said Nate Kredich, Vice President, Residential Market Development, USGBC. "Through the LEED for Homes Affiliate Program, green residential programs can partner with us to further promote green homes."
To address the need for knowledgeable green home building professionals, the Green Building Certification Institute implemented specializations for its LEED professional credentialing. The LEED Accredited Professional + Homes specialty allows LEED AP candidates to specialize as a green building expert in the residential field, advancing the construction of green homes by employing green building professionals.
The first two green home building programs that have signed-on to be LEED for Homes Affiliates are the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas and Minnesota GreenStar. USGBC and HBA Greater Dallas have previously teamed up through Green Built North Texas, a voluntary partnership of local home builders, industry supporters and sponsors committed to green homes in North Central Texas. Minnesota GreenStar, a third-party green home building certification system, recognizes that its challenging climates require residential energy efficiency. Read more.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
News You Can Use - The Many Shades of Green
Plantings, Not Shingles, Gaining Favor As Cover for Houses in Central Ohio
By Jill Laster, The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio
Central Ohioans looking to add a garden to their homes have a new option from builders: the roof.
Green roofs use plantings on top of water-resistant membranes to lower energy costs, deflect heat, extend the life of the roof, reduce storm-water runoff and absorb noise.
Demand for the roofs is growing across the United States. More than 3.1 million square feet of green roofing was installed during 2008 in the United States, a 35 percent increase from 2007, according to Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, an industry association. Although green roofs are most common on businesses, homeowners are starting to take notice.
In central Ohio, several companies are selling green roofs, including LiveRoof, GreenGrid and Green Roof Blocks. No local homeowner has installed a living roof yet, but they say they have had an increase in callers both in central Ohio and nationwide.
"I think it's part of an increased awareness of our impact on the planet," said Kelly Luckett, president of Green Roof Blocks of Florissant, Mo. "Green roofs are just a small part of that.
Aesthetics play a role as well. Jeff Salisbury and Christine Plepys of Newport, Ky., added a green roof to their new garage three years ago because they wanted something pleasant to look at from their porch. Read more.
By Jill Laster, The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio
Central Ohioans looking to add a garden to their homes have a new option from builders: the roof.
Green roofs use plantings on top of water-resistant membranes to lower energy costs, deflect heat, extend the life of the roof, reduce storm-water runoff and absorb noise.
Demand for the roofs is growing across the United States. More than 3.1 million square feet of green roofing was installed during 2008 in the United States, a 35 percent increase from 2007, according to Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, an industry association. Although green roofs are most common on businesses, homeowners are starting to take notice.
In central Ohio, several companies are selling green roofs, including LiveRoof, GreenGrid and Green Roof Blocks. No local homeowner has installed a living roof yet, but they say they have had an increase in callers both in central Ohio and nationwide.
"I think it's part of an increased awareness of our impact on the planet," said Kelly Luckett, president of Green Roof Blocks of Florissant, Mo. "Green roofs are just a small part of that.
Aesthetics play a role as well. Jeff Salisbury and Christine Plepys of Newport, Ky., added a green roof to their new garage three years ago because they wanted something pleasant to look at from their porch. Read more.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
News You Can Use - The Many Shades of Green
Southern Pine Producers Show Scant Interest in Green Certification
Survey finds few want the certificate but most want to be thought of as green
by Craig Webb
A majority of Southern Pine producers responding to a recent Southern Pine Council survey don't have green certification for their forests now and nearly half don't plan to do so, despite getting regular requests for certified products and feeling it's important to market Southern Pine's green qualities. Read more.
Producers cite costs in green certification survey
(Jul. 28) Wood certification has reached its 15th birthday, but many forestry companies still harbor reservations about the costs and benefits associated with green certifications.
This was the finding of two recent surveys conducted by Random Lengths, an industry publication that tracks lumber and other LBM commodity prices, and the Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA), a forestry trade group. Read more.
Survey finds few want the certificate but most want to be thought of as green
by Craig Webb
A majority of Southern Pine producers responding to a recent Southern Pine Council survey don't have green certification for their forests now and nearly half don't plan to do so, despite getting regular requests for certified products and feeling it's important to market Southern Pine's green qualities. Read more.
Producers cite costs in green certification survey
(Jul. 28) Wood certification has reached its 15th birthday, but many forestry companies still harbor reservations about the costs and benefits associated with green certifications.
This was the finding of two recent surveys conducted by Random Lengths, an industry publication that tracks lumber and other LBM commodity prices, and the Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA), a forestry trade group. Read more.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Know Your Tax Credits
The way that door and window products qualify for tax credits has changed. Here’s what you need to know
From: Remodeling magazine June 2009
By: Jim Cory
Just how much energy do “energy-efficient” doors and windows save? Claims vary. David Tyson, of Charlotte, N.C., design/build company David Tyson & Associates, recently had a blower door test conducted in his own house, and says that sealing leaks with caulk or weatherstripping is the first step. Windows may come later. Everything depends on the house, and every house is different, says Darren Lombardo, owner of Home Energy Solutions, a Maryland energy audit company that also sells home improvement products.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), heat loss through windows can account for anywhere from 10% to 25% of a homeowners’ heating bill. In climates where air conditioning is in steady use, the DOE says that energy-efficient windows can reduce electricity consumption by 10% to 15%.
But say the house is an obvious candidate for new windows and doors. What exactly does “energy efficient” mean? Read more.
From: Remodeling magazine June 2009
By: Jim Cory
Just how much energy do “energy-efficient” doors and windows save? Claims vary. David Tyson, of Charlotte, N.C., design/build company David Tyson & Associates, recently had a blower door test conducted in his own house, and says that sealing leaks with caulk or weatherstripping is the first step. Windows may come later. Everything depends on the house, and every house is different, says Darren Lombardo, owner of Home Energy Solutions, a Maryland energy audit company that also sells home improvement products.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), heat loss through windows can account for anywhere from 10% to 25% of a homeowners’ heating bill. In climates where air conditioning is in steady use, the DOE says that energy-efficient windows can reduce electricity consumption by 10% to 15%.
But say the house is an obvious candidate for new windows and doors. What exactly does “energy efficient” mean? Read more.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
News You Can Use - Running Your Business
Feds Target Employers of Undocumented Workers
Builders must be able to verify that they and their subs meet immigration and hiring statutes
Source: BUILDER OnlinePublication date: June 15, 2009
By John Caulfield
Last week, Michael Sivage Homes and Communities was putting the final touches on new language in its contracts that include requirements that the builder's contractors and their workers comply with current immigration and hiring laws. Read more.
Liens on Properties and Funds are Two Different Things
By Jennifer Wolfe on June 12th, 2009
Liens are one of the most powerful collection tools available to workers in the construction industry. Mechanics Liens are inexpensive and hard-hitting, and perhaps one of the most effective ways to collect on non-paying projects. A properly filed construction lien can affect a property’s title, entangles multiple parties to your dispute, and helps get you paid. Suppliers, prime/sub/sub-sub contractors and laborers all have the rights to lien a property they performed work on.
Dealers confront healthcare costs
(Jun. 12) When a panel of high-performance retailers was asked: "How are you handling health care?" the audience of Do it Best dealers was paying close attention.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA) were among the healthcare insurance tools used by high performance retailers who participated in a panel discussion during the Do it Best May Market.
About halfway through the nearly two-hour discussion, titled "Extreme Retailing: Taking it to the next level," someone in the audience posed the question: "How are you guys handling health care?"
One of the most innovative answers came from Kyle Walters, president of Elliott's Hardware, a three-location hardware store retailer based in Dallas. "People are really key for us, and health care is always a challenge," Walters said. Read more.
HUD and CDC Push Healthy Homes Agenda
HUD deputy secretary Sims: "Our homes ought to be a place where we can raise our children without fear of making them sick."
Source: BUILDER OnlinePublication date: June 10, 2009
By Jenny Sullivan
Healthier homes can produce healthier Americans and a healthier U.S. economy.
That was the message in Washington Tuesday, where officials from the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) laid out some of the ways housing can affect public health, challenging the nation's builders, healthcare providers, community organizers, and citizens to play a more proactive role in reducing preventable diseases and accidents in the home. Read more.
Builders must be able to verify that they and their subs meet immigration and hiring statutes
Source: BUILDER OnlinePublication date: June 15, 2009
By John Caulfield
Last week, Michael Sivage Homes and Communities was putting the final touches on new language in its contracts that include requirements that the builder's contractors and their workers comply with current immigration and hiring laws. Read more.
Liens on Properties and Funds are Two Different Things
By Jennifer Wolfe on June 12th, 2009
Liens are one of the most powerful collection tools available to workers in the construction industry. Mechanics Liens are inexpensive and hard-hitting, and perhaps one of the most effective ways to collect on non-paying projects. A properly filed construction lien can affect a property’s title, entangles multiple parties to your dispute, and helps get you paid. Suppliers, prime/sub/sub-sub contractors and laborers all have the rights to lien a property they performed work on.
Dealers confront healthcare costs
(Jun. 12) When a panel of high-performance retailers was asked: "How are you handling health care?" the audience of Do it Best dealers was paying close attention.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA) were among the healthcare insurance tools used by high performance retailers who participated in a panel discussion during the Do it Best May Market.
About halfway through the nearly two-hour discussion, titled "Extreme Retailing: Taking it to the next level," someone in the audience posed the question: "How are you guys handling health care?"
One of the most innovative answers came from Kyle Walters, president of Elliott's Hardware, a three-location hardware store retailer based in Dallas. "People are really key for us, and health care is always a challenge," Walters said. Read more.
HUD and CDC Push Healthy Homes Agenda
HUD deputy secretary Sims: "Our homes ought to be a place where we can raise our children without fear of making them sick."
Source: BUILDER OnlinePublication date: June 10, 2009
By Jenny Sullivan
Healthier homes can produce healthier Americans and a healthier U.S. economy.
That was the message in Washington Tuesday, where officials from the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) laid out some of the ways housing can affect public health, challenging the nation's builders, healthcare providers, community organizers, and citizens to play a more proactive role in reducing preventable diseases and accidents in the home. Read more.
NLBMDA News - "GREEN" Act Praised in House Subcommittee Hearing; Energy Legisation Questioned
A House subcommittee hearing June 11 on the Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods (GREEN) Act (H.R. 2336), sponsored by Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), saw witnesses from NAHB, National Association of Realtors (NAR), US Green Building Council (USGBC) and others praising the bill's incentives to fund energy efficiency improvements through FHA and HUD-backed mortgages and other mechanisms.
NAHB President Jerry Howard noted in his testimony that the GREEN Act's approach would be a marked improvement to the mandatory energy efficiency building codes currently contained in the American Clean Energy & Security Act (H.R. 2454). NLBMDA's Legislative Advocacy Committee voted this week to oppose the building codes provision of H.R.2454 in light of the negative impact they would have on housing affordability and housing recovery.
NLBMDA issued the following statement to the media on H.R. 2454: "NLBMDA has long-supported the use of quality, energy-efficient building products and while the goal of this legislation is admirable, creating a national building energy code based on faulty assumptions with no regard for payback periods coupled with a heavy-handed approach to compliance is not in the best interests of our members or their customers. Making builders and homeowners subject to civil penalties and threatening states with the withdrawal of federal funding for noncompliance is the wrong approach to creating a national energy policy. We will continue to advocate for a rational energy policy based on sound data but we oppose this section of the legislation in its current form." Original source.
NAHB President Jerry Howard noted in his testimony that the GREEN Act's approach would be a marked improvement to the mandatory energy efficiency building codes currently contained in the American Clean Energy & Security Act (H.R. 2454). NLBMDA's Legislative Advocacy Committee voted this week to oppose the building codes provision of H.R.2454 in light of the negative impact they would have on housing affordability and housing recovery.
NLBMDA issued the following statement to the media on H.R. 2454: "NLBMDA has long-supported the use of quality, energy-efficient building products and while the goal of this legislation is admirable, creating a national building energy code based on faulty assumptions with no regard for payback periods coupled with a heavy-handed approach to compliance is not in the best interests of our members or their customers. Making builders and homeowners subject to civil penalties and threatening states with the withdrawal of federal funding for noncompliance is the wrong approach to creating a national energy policy. We will continue to advocate for a rational energy policy based on sound data but we oppose this section of the legislation in its current form." Original source.
NLBMDA News - House Subcommittee Examines "Green" Claims
The House Consumer Protection Subcommittee of Energy and Commerce heard testimony this week from several experts involved in green standards. They were united in their belief that the system for green labels needs to be improved for more beneficial impact on innovation, producers and customers. The main problem is determining a base line or common definition for green products.
There was great debate on what should be considered eco-friendly or green. The consensus was the products need to be examined over their entire life cycle in order to accurately determine their effect on the environment. Currently there are over 300 different green stamps and that confusion allows producers to take advantage of the increased market benefits of the green label with out providing any information or proof to consumers. Green guides were established in 1992 and were updated in 1998, but have not changed sense then.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is working on a new more comprehensive version of the green guides, which all participants felt would help make it easier for everyone involved in the process. Transparency and more information will help consumers avoid buying products that are misleading or contain false information. The role that government should play was discussed with differing opinions on how involved it should be in the process.
There was great debate on what should be considered eco-friendly or green. The consensus was the products need to be examined over their entire life cycle in order to accurately determine their effect on the environment. Currently there are over 300 different green stamps and that confusion allows producers to take advantage of the increased market benefits of the green label with out providing any information or proof to consumers. Green guides were established in 1992 and were updated in 1998, but have not changed sense then.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is working on a new more comprehensive version of the green guides, which all participants felt would help make it easier for everyone involved in the process. Transparency and more information will help consumers avoid buying products that are misleading or contain false information. The role that government should play was discussed with differing opinions on how involved it should be in the process.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
NLBMDA Opposes Major House Energy Bill
Dealers join other construction-related groups in opposing national conservation mandates
Source: PROSALES Information ServicePublication date: June 9, 2009
By Craig Webb
The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) has decided to oppose a key House bill on energy conservation that critics say unnecessarily and unreasonably toughens local building codes.
"NLBMDA has long-supported the use of quality, energy-efficient building products," the association said in a statement e-mailed today to ProSales. "And while the goal of this legislation is admirable, creating a national building energy code based on faulty assumptions with no regard for payback periods coupled with a heavy-handed approach to compliance is not in the best interests of our members or their customers. Read more.
Source: PROSALES Information ServicePublication date: June 9, 2009
By Craig Webb
The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) has decided to oppose a key House bill on energy conservation that critics say unnecessarily and unreasonably toughens local building codes.
"NLBMDA has long-supported the use of quality, energy-efficient building products," the association said in a statement e-mailed today to ProSales. "And while the goal of this legislation is admirable, creating a national building energy code based on faulty assumptions with no regard for payback periods coupled with a heavy-handed approach to compliance is not in the best interests of our members or their customers. Read more.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
News You Can Use - The Many Shades of Green
Green Goods: Countdown to Quality
Green expert Mark LaLiberte shows how to help builders avoid the top five errors on energy, resource efficiency, and health.
Source: PROSALES MagazinePublication date: June 10, 2009
By Mark LaLiberte
I'll be the first to admit that the basic building science details of a solidly built home aren't quite as sexy as green features like bamboo floors and solar photovoltaic panels. Even so, we need to get away from the idea that a green home is just about the products. While new green products are great, they're only "lipstick on a pig" if the home isn't also energy efficient, built to last, healthy, safe, and affordable to maintain. Read more.
Spiral Bound: What standards do dealers and distributors use to recommend green products?
ProSales found stark differences. And the deeper you go into the selection process, the trickier the choices get.
By Rich Binsacca
When contractors come to Ridgefield Supply for green building products, they often get more than they bargained for–and thankfully so. That's because Margaret Sims, vice president of the single-location dealer serving the New York City suburbs, has made herself and several of her sales staff experts on building science, sustainable practices, and products that promote that goal. "Our customer base is very confused about the green movement," says Sims. "They're getting tired of hearing conflicting information." Read more.
First Remodeled Home Certified To The National Green Building Standard
A recently completed remodeling project in Munster, Ind. is the first home remodel to earn certification under the National Green Building Standard, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) announced today.
The 1,100-square-foot ranch home built in 1974 was renovated by Lyng Builders, a Franklin, Ill., custom home building and remodeling company, after floodwaters filled the basement as well as two feet of the first floor.
Working within a tight budget to repair substantial structural damage, Lyng Builders also persuaded the home owner to make improvements that can help save on utility bills by decreasing energy and water consumption and to obtain national green certification through the NAHB Research Center, which trains and accredits third-party inspectors.
For projects to be certified, remodelers must address a range of factors, including energy, resource and water efficiency and indoor environmental quality in the newly renovated home. Read more.
Green expert Mark LaLiberte shows how to help builders avoid the top five errors on energy, resource efficiency, and health.
Source: PROSALES MagazinePublication date: June 10, 2009
By Mark LaLiberte
I'll be the first to admit that the basic building science details of a solidly built home aren't quite as sexy as green features like bamboo floors and solar photovoltaic panels. Even so, we need to get away from the idea that a green home is just about the products. While new green products are great, they're only "lipstick on a pig" if the home isn't also energy efficient, built to last, healthy, safe, and affordable to maintain. Read more.
Spiral Bound: What standards do dealers and distributors use to recommend green products?
ProSales found stark differences. And the deeper you go into the selection process, the trickier the choices get.
By Rich Binsacca
When contractors come to Ridgefield Supply for green building products, they often get more than they bargained for–and thankfully so. That's because Margaret Sims, vice president of the single-location dealer serving the New York City suburbs, has made herself and several of her sales staff experts on building science, sustainable practices, and products that promote that goal. "Our customer base is very confused about the green movement," says Sims. "They're getting tired of hearing conflicting information." Read more.
First Remodeled Home Certified To The National Green Building Standard
A recently completed remodeling project in Munster, Ind. is the first home remodel to earn certification under the National Green Building Standard, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) announced today.
The 1,100-square-foot ranch home built in 1974 was renovated by Lyng Builders, a Franklin, Ill., custom home building and remodeling company, after floodwaters filled the basement as well as two feet of the first floor.
Working within a tight budget to repair substantial structural damage, Lyng Builders also persuaded the home owner to make improvements that can help save on utility bills by decreasing energy and water consumption and to obtain national green certification through the NAHB Research Center, which trains and accredits third-party inspectors.
For projects to be certified, remodelers must address a range of factors, including energy, resource and water efficiency and indoor environmental quality in the newly renovated home. Read more.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Webinar: Strategies for Selling the "Green" Commerical Builder
W E B I N A R
Strategies for Selling the "Green" Commerical Builder
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 = Price: $139 per logged-on computer
Start Time: 3:00 PM Eastern Time; 2:00 PM Central Time
This webinar is an introduction to the skills necessary in contacting and successfully selling the commercial builders. The shift in emphasis within the commercial builder market segment is growing everyday toward being GREEN. How does that impact the relationship with the supplier/vendor?
- The workshop will begin with elementary language that sales persons need to be able to communicate within their company and the decision maker with the commercial builder.
- Participants will learn the six basic criteria used in determining whether their product or service is “green.” It best be truly eco-friendly. The decision maker will be asking the questions upfront.
- Attendees will learn the five questions that eco-friendly commercial builders ask that conventional builders don’t know to ask. Participants will be exposed to the three basic marketing elements their companies must have in place before trying to sell to this emerging market segment.
This is an incredible amount of material in 60 minutes. Fasten your seatbelts and welcome to the 21st Century as you and your skills grow GREEN!
The presenter, Steve Monroe, AB, CGP, brings nearly thirty years of laughter and tears from working with builders and those who sell to them. He has stayed on the leading edge of trends within the industry including emerging markets such as Green Building. His research and writings in this field allows him to learn and lead workshops for builders and associates as they develop talents and techniques in the field. His newest books, Selling Green In A Black and White World, and Marketing Essentials for Green Builders will be released in January 2010. Steve will speak at the 2010 IBS on green building. He teaches 9 courses to builders as part of the NC Building Institute and is part of the faculty of the University of Housing in conjunction with NAHB.
Click the registration form to enlarge, print and use it to register.
Strategies for Selling the "Green" Commerical Builder
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 = Price: $139 per logged-on computer
Start Time: 3:00 PM Eastern Time; 2:00 PM Central Time
This webinar is an introduction to the skills necessary in contacting and successfully selling the commercial builders. The shift in emphasis within the commercial builder market segment is growing everyday toward being GREEN. How does that impact the relationship with the supplier/vendor?
- The workshop will begin with elementary language that sales persons need to be able to communicate within their company and the decision maker with the commercial builder.
- Participants will learn the six basic criteria used in determining whether their product or service is “green.” It best be truly eco-friendly. The decision maker will be asking the questions upfront.
- Attendees will learn the five questions that eco-friendly commercial builders ask that conventional builders don’t know to ask. Participants will be exposed to the three basic marketing elements their companies must have in place before trying to sell to this emerging market segment.
This is an incredible amount of material in 60 minutes. Fasten your seatbelts and welcome to the 21st Century as you and your skills grow GREEN!
The presenter, Steve Monroe, AB, CGP, brings nearly thirty years of laughter and tears from working with builders and those who sell to them. He has stayed on the leading edge of trends within the industry including emerging markets such as Green Building. His research and writings in this field allows him to learn and lead workshops for builders and associates as they develop talents and techniques in the field. His newest books, Selling Green In A Black and White World, and Marketing Essentials for Green Builders will be released in January 2010. Steve will speak at the 2010 IBS on green building. He teaches 9 courses to builders as part of the NC Building Institute and is part of the faculty of the University of Housing in conjunction with NAHB.
Click the registration form to enlarge, print and use it to register.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
NLBMDA News - "Green Neighborhoods" Legislation Reintroduced
"Green Neighborhoods" Legislation Reintroduced
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) has reintroduced the "Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods (GREEN) Act" (H.R. 2336), with 14 additional cosponsors. The legislation seeks to create incentives through lenders and financial institutions for consumers to buy, build or remodel their homes to improve energy efficiency and increase the use of alternative energy. The bill was included in a broader energy package passed by the House last year but was not considered in the Senate. A hearing date in the House Financial Services Committee has not yet been set.
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) has reintroduced the "Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods (GREEN) Act" (H.R. 2336), with 14 additional cosponsors. The legislation seeks to create incentives through lenders and financial institutions for consumers to buy, build or remodel their homes to improve energy efficiency and increase the use of alternative energy. The bill was included in a broader energy package passed by the House last year but was not considered in the Senate. A hearing date in the House Financial Services Committee has not yet been set.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Putting the Green in Green
By Jim Moody, CAE President, Construction Suppliers Association
Until recently, I’ve thought about “green building” when I couldn’t fall asleep. Worked better than Sominex. The subject has been a non-starter with dealers I’ve talked to. The most common comment I got when I broached the subject was “I’ve never had a customer come in and ask for anything green.”
I suspect we’ve all regarded “green” as something for the tree-hugging leftists out West, but we always knew that it would creep eastward. Just not today. But, in the past three or four months, I’ve noticed an uptick in the questions I’ve gotten about green building. It’s prompted me to do some research and even to attend a green building forum held (appropriately) on St. Patrick’s Day.
I walked in thinking I was somewhat ignorant on the subject. What I learned was that pretty much everyone is ignorant on the subject because there just isn’t much “there” there. For instance, there is no real, accepted definition for green building. Ask a thousand people, and you’ll get a thousand answers. Ultimately, just like beauty is in the eye of the beholder, green building will be whatever your customer thinks it is – once he decides that green is indeed what he wants.
And that time may be sooner than we think. I was surprised to learn that Atlanta was sixth in market demand for green products, behind only California, New York, Colorado, the Pacific Northwest and Austin. It was my impression that there was no market demand in Atlanta for any products, much less green ones. But, there must be some demand, or Atlanta wouldn’t have been on the list (unless it was accidentally mixed with the list of most foreclosures).
The Greater Atlanta Home Builders developed a program to push green housing called EarthCraft Homes. The developer in my neighborhood changed builders about a year ago, and the new builder put up big signs touting EarthCraft. Perhaps that’s a big driver for green in the Atlanta area. Of course, not one of those lots has sold, but that’s another sad story for another day.
So let’s assume demand is knocking on our doorsteps. All that certification/chain of custody stuff is so confusing. What should we do?
The first thing I would suggest you do is focus your green thoughts on products other than lumber. In LEED certification, which is the standard for now, certified lumber gets a builder as much credit as putting in a bike rack (and yes, I mean that literally). In other words, it’s just not worth the trouble or expense. I’m hearing that customers may ask you to include certified lumber in your bid and then it quickly gets value-engineered out.
If you want to provide certified lumber, you have to get a chain-of-custody certificate. This can cost several thousand dollars. If you’ve already got one, good for you. Let’s hope the business is there for you to see a return on that investment. If you don’t have a chain-of-custody certificate today, it might be something that can wait for better times and a bigger market demand.
So if you aren’t focusing on the lumber, what should you think about? Anything that is sustainable, toxin-free, waste-reducing (yes, trusses are inherently green), energy-saving, water-saving, etc. You already sell many products that are considered green, and many of those are higher-end products. The key is for you to market them effectively to drive demand for these. You’ll be helping the environment, but it can also improve your bottom line.
It seems to me that at least for now, we need to view green as an opportunity to upsell rather than as a list of onerous rules and regulations that are difficult to understand. I grant that you may not have had any customers ask for green when they walked in the door. But you also probably have not had customers walk in and ask for your most expensive line of products, yet you have certainly upsold many customers by touting the benefits of your higher-end products. I submit to you that “green” is just one more way to convince customers to go beyond the basic product lines. Treat green as the friend, not foe.
There are a couple of resources that can be helpful as you consider how heavily you want to market green products. CSA is a partner in the Certified Green Dealer program, developed by LBM Journal. The focus of this program is educating your sales people on green products so that they can honestly and effectively communicate the benefits of green to your customers. Visit http://www.certifiedgreendealer.com/ for more information.
Also, BlueLinx has launched a sustainability program and portfolio of “ecoproducts” called PureBlue. This is not a paid commercial, and there are probably similar programs from other providers, but this is the one I’m most familiar with. You can find more information here. They also have a presentation called “Making Sense of Green” that is interesting and enlightening. You can request a copy from Shiloh.kelly@bluelinxco.com.
So here’s the bottom line: Green is coming, whether we want it or not. You can choose to ignore it and find yourself behind the times, or you can embrace it. When you embrace it, you may find that it’s not as complex or difficult to implement as you first thought. It may simply be an additional way to market your products, and it very well could help you push customers to higher-end and higher-margin items.
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