Selling With Copper: Buyers Trust Copper

Copper has been the material of choice for plumbing systems in American homes for more than 70 years. It is installed in more than 80 percent of homes across the United States, and that means the majority of today's homeowners and buyers grew up with copper plumbing systems. Jackson Properties vice president, Chris Graham, says this familiarity presents a major selling point for builders who use copper. "Copper plumbing is something that homebuyers are used to, they are used to seeing it, they have had it in their homes in the past, and that's a positive thing for builders," says Graham.

Centex Homes' vice president of research and development, Randy Luther, agrees that copper plumbing is something homebuyers look for when they enter a model home. "Almost all of us grew up with copper in our homes," says Luther. "It has had such an outstanding track record over the years, I think people feel extraordinarily confident with copper."

That was certainly the case for Del Leese, who is having a new home built. Leese says he didn't even consider another plumbing tube for his new house. His confidence in copper dates back to childhood, when he recalls his uncle, who was a plumber, installing copper plumbing in his parents' home.

Homeowner Brandon Anderson says his decision to purchase copper plumbing was definitely influenced by the plumbing system he remembered when growing up. "I know my parents' house has copper plumbing, and they have never had a problem," says Anderson.

Homeowner John Bayda remembers copper plumbing from his grandparents' home in Chicago. Bayda says his father also told him about the value of copper plumbing. "My dad instilled in me for years - have copper tubing in your home; it lasts for 50 years or more," Bayda says.

Jim Parvin just moved into his new dream home and insisted on copper plumbing because it's what he knew from his childhood home.

The same was true for Joan Pelligrini who recently moved out West from Connecticut. "We are originally from back East and my dad, my husband and my husband's dad always said copper plumbing is better," said Pelligrini. "It's more durable, it's stronger and it's better. It shows you that you have a better quality home. For a builder to do that, it shows you he's thinking about the details."

Also See:

Introduction

Buyers Appreciate Copper's Reputation For Strength and Durability

Copper's 50-Year Warranty

Homebuyers Will Pay More for Copper Plumbing

Buyers Wary of Alternative Materials

Buyers Acknowledge the Resale Value Of Homes With Copper