MassGREEN Weatherization Business Development Course
The residential weatherization industry is expected to grow dramatically as utility programs and government incentives make it more affordable for homeowners to make their houses more energy efficient.
Whether it is improving insulation, replacing old windows, or sealing foundations, there is a strong, need for more contractors to provide these services. There are many questions that should be considered before jumping in to the weatherization business.
- What skills, training and resource does it take to start and run your own weatherization contracting business in MA?
- What kinds of equipment will you need to buy, how much does your initial investment need to be?
- What kind of work will you actually be doing, and what kind of training will you have to get in order to be a success?
- What licenses, certifications, and insurance are required? >/li>
Come get info and skills you need to be your own boss in this burgeoning field. Topics include basic building science and weatherization skills, equipment requirements, financing options, staffing needs, revenue opportunities, regulatory considerations, licenses and permits, marketing, and customer service.
The opportunities in weatherization are here! —— come and decide if they are right for you.
Training Location and Contact
MassGREEN’s Weatherization Business Development Course is currently being offered at some of the community colleges across the state. Please contact the following individuals for schedule information.
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Greenfield Community College Franklin County Technical School 82 Industrial Blvd. Turners Falls, MA 01376-1608 Contact: Alexandra Floratos Phone: 413-775-1660 |
North Shore Community College North Shore Community College, Cummings Center, Beverly, MA Contact: Susan St. Pierre Phone: 978-236-1211 Email: sstpierr@northshore.edu |
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Bunker Hill Community College Bunker Hill Community College 250 New Rutherford Avenue, Boston , MA Phone: 617.228.2462 |
Bristol Community College The Green Center 1082 Davol St. Fall River, MA Contact: Max Cover Phone: 508-678-2811 ext 2565 |
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Springfield Technical Community College One Armory Square Building #32 Springfield, MA 01002 Contact: Debbie Bellucci Phone: 413-755-4502 Email: dbellucci@stcc.edu |
Mount Wachusett Community College |
Weatherization Business Development Course Description
This course will provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to establish and operate a successful weatherization business. Topics will include basic building science and weatherization skills, equipment requirements, financing options, staffing needs, revenue opportunities, regulatory considerations, licenses and permits, marketing, and customer service.
Target Audience
Contractors, construction tradespeople, weatherization crew chiefs and technicians, energy efficiency entrepreneurs.
Course Scope
* 24 to 30 hours long
* Classroom instruction
* Includes student guidebook and other materials
Course outline
Module One – Introduction
Why a weatherization business?
• What is weatherization?
• Why bother to weatherize?
• About global climate change
• Determining your carbon footprint (intro to and homework assignment)
• What difference does it make?—The economic and environmental savings of weatherization
• How it works: Building science—Seeing a house as a whole system
• The nature of weatherization work
• Skill requirements for weatherization work
• Typical work day: Business owner/operator
• Typical work day: Office staff
• Typical day: Crew Chief
• Typical day: Weatherization Crew
Module Two – Overall Planning
Creating a Business Plan
Why write a business plan?
What should be included?
What kind of business will this be?
• Business Plan Outline
• Importance of Planning
• Your Mission Statement
• SWOT Analysis
• Goals and Objectives
• Sources of lnformation
• Key Contacts: Building Your Team
• Forms of Doing Business (legal structure)
• Background
• Management
* What are the products and services?
• Products/Services Description
• Price/Quality Relationship
• Products/Services Life Cycles
Module Three – Marketing Planning
Who are my customers and how will I reach them?
• Customers
• Marketing Research
• Competitive Analysis
• Marketing Strategy
• Promoting Your Business On-Line
• Advertising Budget
• Location
• Revenue streams—government, utilities, open market
• Weatherization programs that contract out: MassSAVE, WAP, CET, CSG, etc. , include contract and government limitations and regulations
How to secure weatherization work
• Customer relations
• Customer intake (role-playing)
• Educating customers—environment, economics, tax/other incentives, benefits, etc.
• Specifying the job
• Estimating the job
• Pricing the job
• Negotiating the contract
• Getting paid!
• Understanding work orders (for contracted work)
• What jobs to accept
• When to walk away
• Preparing customers for the realities
• Dealing with call-backs
Module Four – Operations Planning
Planning the business
• Using technology
• Planning for employees
* Personnel
* Salaries and Wages
* Payroll Taxes and Benefits
* Outside Services
• How much will all this cost and where will I get the money?
* Start-up Expenses
* Sales Forecast
* Cost of Goods Sold
* Miscellaneous Expenses
• How do I keep track of the money?
* Operating Expenses
* Cash Flow Projections
* Projected Income Statement
* Break-Even Analysis
* Balance Sheet
* Financial Ratios
* Working With Your Banker
* Personal Financial Statement
• How will I protect my business?
* Management
* lnsurance
* Internal Controls
• What do I need to know?
Module Five – Running Your Business
Tools for the job
• Firm foundation in building science
• Understanding of building codes and regulations
• Tools
• Diagnostic and testing tools
• Materials and product selection—how green is it?
• Suppliers
• Keeping up with trends in a fast-growing industry—materials and techniques
Knowledge, skills, and abilities
• Building codes and regulations
• Diagnostics
• Air sealing training/skills
• Insulation training/skills
• Working efficiently
• Quality control/ensuring quality work
Running a Weatherization Business
• Business planning
• Time management
• Operating costs
• Records and bookkeeping
• Forms and other job aids
• Overseeing the details: Insurance (business and employee, wages, benefits, taxes, etc.)
• Supervising employees
• Ensuring worker safety—OSHA
• Purchasing tools, materials, supplies
• Proper disposal (and, whenever possible, RECYCLING) of waste materials
• Working with customers
• Maintaining ethical business practices
• Assuring quality workmanship
• Sustaining the business—sales, marketing, public relations
• Dealing with competition
Module Six –Health and Safety
• Health hazards—asbestos, lead, moisture, mold, electrical wires/equipment
• Worker safety—eyes, ears, lungs, hands, etc.
• Working with hazardous/toxic substances and materials
• Safety hazards—ladder use, working around tools and equipment, structural hazards, etc.
• Proper disposal/recycling of waste
• Proper use/handling/storage of tools and materials
• OSHA
Module Seven – Running Your Business – Ethics and Sustainability
• Overview of business ethics
• Why ethics matter—building a viable and sustainable green economy
• Building your customer base by developing a sound (and well-deserved) business reputation
• Will this business make you rich?
• Business mission statement/goals
• Understanding contract law
• Customer bill of rights
• Marketing limitations under govt/util programs
• When can “up-selling” becomes a predatory practice which tarnishes the industry?
• Competitors bill of rights
• Employees bill of rights
• Diversity in hiring
• Maintaining a safe working environment—harassment, discrimination, etc.
• Maintaining safe working practices
Module Eight – Moving Forward/Next Steps
Putting your plan into action
• Ongoing evaluation and revision of your business plan, staying on track
Professional Development and Networking
• Career pathways for you and your employees
• Certification—BPI, HERS, LEED, etc.
• MGI and our partner community colleges—further training
• Local and national business and trade organization membership
• Professional conferences and specialty trainings