Green Renovator Task GroupGreen Renovator Task GroupReport Highlights for the Canadian Renovators’ CouncilReport Highlights for the Canadian Renovators’ Council

Background & ContextBackground & Context

Established following discussion with CRC in Whistler.Established following discussion with CRC in Whistler.

Involved 10 renovators from across Canada.Involved 10 renovators from across Canada.

A one-day facilitated meeting in Ottawa.A one-day facilitated meeting in Ottawa.

Supported by CHBA and CMHC.Supported by CHBA and CMHC.

Consumer Demand for Green Consumer Demand for Green Renovation ServicesRenovation Services

““Green renovation” is a growing market segment.Green renovation” is a growing market segment.

Some consumers more focused on energy savings, others looking for Some consumers more focused on energy savings, others looking for a broader green approach.a broader green approach.

Some renovators actively courting green market, others reacting to Some renovators actively courting green market, others reacting to consumer interest when it is expressed.consumer interest when it is expressed.

Renovator has key role in green homeowner decisions.Renovator has key role in green homeowner decisions.

Consumer knowledge “hit and miss”.Consumer knowledge “hit and miss”.

Renovators also struggle to keep up-to-date, especially on materials Renovators also struggle to keep up-to-date, especially on materials and products, as well as incentive programs.and products, as well as incentive programs.

Defining a “Green Renovator”Defining a “Green Renovator”

Knowledge needed to operate as a professional is consistent Knowledge needed to operate as a professional is consistent with that needed to deliver “Green” services. “Green” isn’t a with that needed to deliver “Green” services. “Green” isn’t a “big leap”.“big leap”.

House-as-a-System knowledge is fundamental.House-as-a-System knowledge is fundamental.

Challenges lie in areas of product/material knowledge, benefit Challenges lie in areas of product/material knowledge, benefit and cost knowledge, customer “coaching”, and trades and and cost knowledge, customer “coaching”, and trades and regulatory interactions. regulatory interactions.

““Good/better/best” options often required to address customers’ Good/better/best” options often required to address customers’ budgets and needs.budgets and needs.

Tools and TechniquesTools and Techniques

Knowledge resources Knowledge resources to support professional development.to support professional development. ““House-as-a-System” knowledgeHouse-as-a-System” knowledge Product and material knowledgeProduct and material knowledge Cost and benefit knowledgeCost and benefit knowledge

Presentation resourcesPresentation resources to support customer service. to support customer service. Effective presentation tools and techniquesEffective presentation tools and techniques Third-party tools and information to “back the renovator up”Third-party tools and information to “back the renovator up”

Waste management resourcesWaste management resources.. Recycling and waste diversion options and systemsRecycling and waste diversion options and systems

Addressing BarriersAddressing Barriers

Consumer and renovator confusion about what “Green” means.Consumer and renovator confusion about what “Green” means.

Cost perceptions/expectations.Cost perceptions/expectations.

Resistance by trades and regulators.Resistance by trades and regulators.

Information overload for renovators.Information overload for renovators.

Excessive focus on new construction.Excessive focus on new construction.

Underground economyUnderground economy

Lack of construction waste options/infrastructure.Lack of construction waste options/infrastructure.

RecommendationsRecommendations

1)1) Improved product/material green information.Improved product/material green information.

2)2) Up-to-date information on government grants and incentives.Up-to-date information on government grants and incentives.

3)3) Waste management best practices inventory.Waste management best practices inventory.

4)4) Generic product/material green data sheets.Generic product/material green data sheets.

5)5) Develop simplified “Homeowners’ Green Renovation Guide”.Develop simplified “Homeowners’ Green Renovation Guide”.

6)6) Assess scope and accessibility of CMHC technical information.Assess scope and accessibility of CMHC technical information.

7)7) Examine feasibility of new “Green Reno” demonstrations.Examine feasibility of new “Green Reno” demonstrations.

8)8) Continue to examine green liability issues and advise renovators.Continue to examine green liability issues and advise renovators.