So You Want To Be a Home Performance Contractor

Overview of the home performance contractor business, getting started in the home performance industry, and tools of the trade. Published in Home Energy Magazine, 2005.

Topics:

• The Big Picture -- using a whole-house approach, tools and training, and business basics.
• Why Do It? -- Top five reasons to go into home performance contracting: Ethics, differentiation, risk avoidance, profits, and business stability.
• Starting Points to Entry -- insulation and window (building shell) contractors, home inspectors and energy raters, remodelers, and weatherizaton agencies or not-for-profit housing groups.
• Steps to Getting Started -- Develop a list of local problems, choosing your business model. Sidebar: tools of the trade.
• Assemble Your Whole-House Installation Team -- collecting the people to complete the job, from audit to install.
• Access Training -- getting the knowledge to build a solid foundation for your business.
• Opportunity Abounds -- Many existing buildings have a need for energy improvement, and can be built into a successful business.

Read the whole article (PDF, 390KB)