Most of the general public is fully aware of the ramifications of excessive energy waste and the concerns of global warming. Our building industry is moving in the right direction toward minimal energy consumption and more efficient structural components. But as a remodeler, I am repeatedly disappointed in some of my constituents who are not getting on board with a view of a better world to live in, and are still predominantly occupied with the concept of successful and profitable business, being more and more new development in open spaces. I struggle between sadness for the continued expansion of development, thereby creating less natural environment, and laughter at the absurdness of not completely understanding the dilemma the construction industry is in.
For the most part many people who build are excited by the production of complete newness without regard for what is left of our planet. It is not difficult for me to see that construction has slowed, not necessarily do to the economy stagnating, or the financial mortgage sector grinding to a crawl, but the reality of an extensive glut of inventory. The residential builders blame slow sales on the economy and peoples lack of fund availability, whether personally held or borrowed from a lending institution. Those are relevant concerns, but what about the fact that people don’t all need brand new and shiny. What if the general public was making there own choice to live and work with what they have. Maybe, many today, chose to reinvent their lifestyles and find they don’t need to be ‘sold’ a reason to move.
I personally chose to be a remodeler because I enjoy re-invigorating things, and bringing the new out of the old. I’m sure I will take flak for what I will state from others in the industry, but even as a person in construction I have never been about new sub-divisions, or more shopping centers when homes are empty across our nation and shopping malls sit vacant while their local governments and developers arm wrestle for years over corporate profits and what’s ‘best’ for their communities. I personally believe that the housing industry is down in part to the general public being more aware and slowly changing their lifestyle habits, and if one of those habits is making better with what you have, I’m all for it. Not because I’m a remodeler, but because I believe it’s the more beneficial way to move into the future, for all of us on this planet. I am concerned about global warming no matter what scientists have to say, all you have to do is look at the current photos of our ice caps and have a minimal amount of logical reasoning. I am concerned for our children, our wildlife, and our planet.
My choice to make an impact is to refurbish and reuse, recycle and interact with the existing. My hope is to make each home I am fortunate enough to work on a better place for the homeowners and their families, and I hope each of us will find a way to do or continue to do their part to make this a better world with less expansion impact.
Art Wehnert
Helping to Green America
www.countryremodelers.com
www.advancedgeotherm.com