Epcon Communities vs Live Green, Live Smart Builders Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Epcon Communities vs Live Green, Live Smart Builders including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Epcon Communities Franchise
Live Green, Live Smart Builders Franchise
Investment $887,200 - $4,569,000$39,500 - $90,000
Franchise Fee $50,000$27,500
Royalty Fee 1% to 2%-
Advertising Fee $500/ month-
Year Founded 1986-
Year Franchised 1995-
Term Of Agreement Completion of 1 market area10 years
Term Of Agreement Completion of 1 market area10 years
Renewal Fee $25000-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Epcon Communities Franchise
Live Green, Live Smart Builders Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Upper management experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Epcon Communities Franchise
    Live Green, Live Smart Builders Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/No-/-
    Equipment No/No-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Epcon Communities Franchise
    Live Green, Live Smart Builders Franchise
    Training Available at headquartersSpend a week in our Minneapolis training facility learning the necessary systems, processes, green building techniques, technology, green products and partners, sales, marketing and management methods necessary to operate your franchise. This intense, all-inclusive program will give you the motivation, comfort level and confidence necessary to open your Live Green, Live Smart Builders franchise. After the business is operational, we will provide additional training and support based on your individual needs.

    * State of the Planet Address * Business Planning and Goal Setting * Technology Training * Staff/Subcontractor Recruitment & Selection * Advertising & Marketing * Green Bidding * Green Building Techniques * Product Vendors and Partners * Finance & Accounting Essentials * Business Operations & Management

    Support Toll-free phone line, field consultants, Intranet, marketing, trainingFrom the very first contact you have with a Live Green, Live Smart Builders team member while researching the concept, you will have our support and guidance every step of the way. Ongoing advice, consultation, conventions and training programs are part of the culture at Live Green, Live Smart Builders. You will be in business for yourself, but not by yourself.
    Marketing Marketing plans, materials, field supportAs a Live Green, Live Smart Builders franchisee, you will benefit from the experience of our creative team, have complete access to our pre-designed materials available for your customization as well as all new materials that we create to support our brand while driving customers to you. Some examples of marketing tools include: * Magazine and Newspaper ads ready for publication. * Public Relations support along with press releases to distribute to local media. * Display booths and materials for building expos and community events. * Presentation materials for green building & remodeling seminars. * Personalized letterhead, envelopes and business cards with just a click of a button from our print center. * Brochures, presentation materials and other collateral. * Direct Mail program designed for ease of use and group discounts. In addition to the right marketing pieces, our professional marketing team will help you complete the puzzle by building the appropriate plans, campaigns and tactics for your territory and goals.
    Operations

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Epcon Communities Franchise
    Live Green, Live Smart Builders Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About Epcon Communities

    In 1986, Philip Fankhauser and Edward Bacome founded Epcon Homes & Communities in Columbus, OH when they built their first residential community. Three years later, a local builder who wanted to utilize their successful design and floor plans for a community in a nearby city approached the duo. The partners were hesitant to license their already proven system out to other builders and, at the time, had little interest in expanding outside of the Columbus market. However, their designs and floor plans became so widely popular that others also soon came calling, seeking to build an Epcon Homes & Communities-style development in neighboring cities or in outlying areas of Ohio. Fankhauser and Bacome finally granted the first license to use their successful construction plans and the franchising concept was born. The company began franchising in 1995 and has not looked back. Epcon Communities and its franchisees built over 25,000 homes and established franchises in 30 states.
    Epcon is seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S.
    Epcon's long-term goal is to expand into all 50 states, Canada and Central America.

    "Entrepreneur
    #398 in Franchise 500 for 2020.





    About Live Green, Live Smart Builders

    People want to start businesses for many different reasons: financial security, being your own boss, a sense of accomplishment. But people choose a Live Green, Live Smart Builders franchise for one additional reason: Because it matters. If you have been searching for a business that will make a difference not only in your life, but in the lives of children and families in your community and the world we all call home, then Live Green, Live Smart Builders may be right for you.

    Live Green, Live Smart Builders was founded in 2007 as the for-profit offshoot of  the Live Green, Live Smart Institute, an organization focused on environmental initiatives to design low impact, green, sustainable and environmentally friendly housing.

    We are searching for motivated entrepreneurs that truly want to make a difference through their profession, who want to significantly impact their community and environment and enjoy the rewards of owning their own business. If making a positive impact on the health of our planet and "being the boss" in your own business are dreams of yours, we strongly encourage you to read on about the Live Green, Live Smart Builders franchise opportunities and contact us when you are ready to investigate the next steps in helping your community while making your dream a reality. Thank you for your interest in the Live Green, Live Smart Builders franchise opportunity.