We were unable to make the Remodeling Show this year, so we called one of our favorite remodelers and recognized leader of the green building movement to shed some light on the future of the remodeling industry.
Michael Anschel (@MichaelAnschel) is the owner and principal of Otogawa-Anschel Design Build, an award-winning design and build firm in Minnesota. Among other professional affiliations, Michael is vice-chair of the board of directors of Minnesota GreenStar and CEO of Verified Green, Inc., which consults with builders, remodelers, architects, and state and city officials on green building.
I believe the remodeling industry is going through a significant change right now, and I feel it is a change for the better. There is a convergence of forces which could produce the perfect storm for change.
Remodelers
For decades the industry has been a mixed bag of artisans, philosophers, and scoundrels, few of whom intentionally set out to become remodelers. They set their own schedules, made their own rules, and there was a less than 50/50 chance that the work would be performed properly (if at all). Over the last decade we have seen a massive wave of professionalism sweep over the industry as remodelers began to take ownership of their industry and companies sought to differentiate themselves from their less savory counterparts. Education and professional designations offered by industry associations became all the rage, and soon remodelers were on committees, serving on boards, and working to raise the bar for everyone. The huge boom in the remodeling market didn’t hurt things either, encouraging a whole new breed and generation of remodeler to come on the scene. The number of remodelers who hold an MBA or spent significant time in corporate America is larger than ever, and their approach to business is, well, business like. Marketing, metrics, accountability, process… these are all the hot topics at tradeshows like The Remodeling Show, taking place this week in Indianapolis.
Government
Rules and regulations may not be words loved by many, but it has its place in our society, and is increasingly being applied to the work done on existing homes. The requirement for licensing of contractors, continuing education, and energy-specific education requirements is moving to more states. New laws regarding the discovery and mitigation of lead and radon are in place. Tax credits are tied to performance and testing requirements are opening the doors for cities and states to build new minimum requirements for construction and development. Perhaps most importantly, both the federal and local units of government are finally looking at our existing housing stock as part of the solution/problem.
Global consciousness on environment
There has been enormous progress made in the last few years in acknowledging and taking steps to address our place in the natural world and the changes that are coming. The interest in green building has been steadily growing over the years and I am increasingly encouraged by the number of remodelers of all ages and regions who come to my lectures and express not only great excitement, but an increased understanding of what it really means to think and act with sustainability in mind. The number of products that have entered the mainstream has dramatically improved in just the past year. These new introductions have improved the ease and cost for remodelers to build green, which increases the number of remodelers who are more comfortable talking green with homeowners in a positive, rather than dismissive, tone.
The Perfect Storm
The convergence of professionalism and businesses run on systems, political will, and broad consumer interest. Increased understanding in green accross the board suggests that we are truly on the verge of an explosion of green building that will change the way we remodel forever. The relationship between the built environment (structure) and the natural environment (us) has a real opportunity to improve. Those remodelers who embrace it and take the time to learn how to work with it, rather than against it, will be well ahead of their counterparts in the years to come. The future of remodeling has never looked brighter (or greener)!
For more from Michael, read his Remodeling Magazine blog.
- Industry Insider from Greenbuild – Sustainable Design
- Industry Insider from Greenbuild – Customer Centric
- Industry Insider from Greenbuild – Company Culture
- Industry Insider from Greenbuild – A Commitment to Corporate Sustainability
- Building and Remodeling In A “Healthy” Housing Market
Tags: green building, Michael Anschel, Otogaw-Anschel Design Build, Remodeling, Remodeling Show, Verified Green
[...] something new, we’re republishing, with permission, an article that he published on October 27 on BuildIntel, a web platform where “marketing experts share their views on the building [...]