Green Renovator Task Group Report Highlights for the Canadian Renovators’ Council

Background & 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 Renovation 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 a broader green approach. Some consumers more focused on energy savings, others looking for a broader green approach. Some renovators actively courting green market, others reacting to consumer interest when it is expressed. Some renovators actively courting green market, others reacting to 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 and products, as well as incentive programs. Renovators also struggle to keep up-to-date, especially on materials and products, as well as incentive programs.

Defining a “Green Renovator” Knowledge needed to operate as a professional is consistent with that needed to deliver “Green” services. “Green” isn’t a “big leap”. Knowledge needed to operate as a professional is consistent with that needed to deliver “Green” services. “Green” isn’t a “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 and cost knowledge, customer “coaching”, and trades and regulatory interactions. Challenges lie in areas of product/material knowledge, benefit and cost knowledge, customer “coaching”, and trades and regulatory interactions. “Good/better/best” options often required to address customers’ budgets and needs. “Good/better/best” options often required to address customers’ budgets and needs.

Tools and Techniques Knowledge resources to support professional development. Knowledge resources to support professional development. “House-as-a-System” knowledge “House-as-a-System” knowledge Product and material knowledge Product and material knowledge Cost and benefit knowledge Cost and benefit knowledge Presentation resources to support customer service. Presentation resources to support customer service. Effective presentation tools and techniques Effective 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 resources. Waste management resources. Recycling and waste diversion options and systems Recycling and waste diversion options and systems

Addressing 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 economy Underground economy Lack of construction waste options/infrastructure. Lack of construction waste options/infrastructure.

Recommendations 1)Improved product/material green information. 2)Up-to-date information on government grants and incentives. 3)Waste management best practices inventory. 4)Generic product/material green data sheets. 5)Develop simplified “Homeowners’ Green Renovation Guide”. 6)Assess scope and accessibility of CMHC technical information. 7)Examine feasibility of new “Green Reno” demonstrations. 8)Continue to examine green liability issues and advise renovators.