Hey I get it…no one wants to think about, let alone read about, the mistakes they may be making, but if I can help you prevent just one unhappy homeowner experience, it’s worth a little pain.
When you design and build a home for a client, you have taken on a wonderful, yet challenging, task. The home you create will house families for years, possibly generations! With this in mind, think not only of the architecture of the home, but also about the physical comfort of the occupants.
I have, for years, seen many beautiful new homes built with uncomfortable indoor living environments. The amount of money invested in upgraded lighting and plumbing fixtures is often more than the “Heart of the Home”, the HVAC system.
With the cost of construction rising (even as I am writing this), I understand what you are facing. It seems every trade is having to pay more for materials, fuel, labor…you name it! To sell a home, it has to be attractive and appeal to a buyers emotions. It is common practice to spend as little as possible on the heating and cooling system (after all, “it’s just a furnace and air conditioner” you say). The problem with that thinking comes several months after the the new homeowner moves in. “It’s way too hot upstairs! The kids rooms are freezing! My gas bill is so high! The master suite is 5 degrees warmer than the living room!…you get the picture (and the phone calls!)
“So what am I supposed to do?” you ask, “some homeowners are never happy!”
While that is occasionally true, most people just want to be comfortable in their new $200,000, $300,000, etc house. They would have happily invested another $2,000 or $3,000 to add some additional comfort. This could be a zone system, air purifier, whole house humidifier, higher efficient furnace or air conditioner…this list goes on. You, as the builder, have a responsibility to at least offer your clients these items and explain the benefits. All too often homeowners tell me they were not told about dual zoning, or other items that would have enhanced their comfort. And after the home is completed, the cost to upgrade the HVAC system is considerably higher than during construction.
Your goal is not to just sell a house, but to provide a wonderful, comfortable home, that will last many, many years. You also want happy homeowners that will refer others to you. With this in mind, please find out from your HVAC trade partner just what kinds of comfort products you should be offering and enlist his help in training you or your sales staff on the benefits of each offering. I am also happy to answer any questions you may have.
Your benefits will be happy clients, more referrals and added revenue per home.
Happy building!