Bridging the 55+ Housing Gap: Roger Thomas’s Journey with Epcon Franchising

Meet Roger Thomas, owner of Choice Builders and an Epcon Franchise Builder based in Cedar City, Utah.

Roger Thomas, a seasoned home builder, has made significant strides in the home building industry. His journey, marked by a commitment to understanding and fulfilling the needs of active adults in Cedar City, Utah, has been notably enhanced by joining the Epcon Franchise network.

Career Background

Roger’s career in construction began in high school. His natural talent for construction led him to work his way up to superintendent and eventually general manager for an architectural design-build firm. This journey took him to Las Vegas, where he worked on large commercial projects. In 2015, Roger decided to start his own business, Choice Builders, returning to the residential world.

Roger noticed a gap in the market. Many of his clients were active adults seeking homes that the local market didn’t offer. This observation led him to Epcon Franchising.

Discovering Epcon Franchising

When asked about his decision to become an Epcon Franchise Builder, Roger explained, “I was looking for ways to bridge the gap between what I knew and what I didn’t. Epcon’s online presence provided a wealth of information. What impressed me the most was their partnership approach. They don’t dictate, they support and provide data-driven answers.”

This partnership has allowed Roger to grow his 55+ community with speed and certainty. He emphasized the importance of following Epcon’s proven processes, which include using their floor plans and effective marketing materials. “Why reinvent the wheel when what they provide works so well?” he remarked.

Roger’s experience with Epcon has been overwhelmingly positive. He appreciates the expert guidance and support, especially in critical areas like land selection, entitlements and financing options. This support has enabled him to make informed decisions quickly and confidently.

“Our market lacked single-level living options, which are crucial for aging in place,” Roger explained. “Epcon’s homes incorporate universal design principles, allowing us to focus conversations on community and amenities rather than just the house itself.”

Roger values continuous learning and improvement. He meets regularly with a business coach and belongs to the NAHB’s Builder 20 Clubs. For Epcon-specific advice, he engages with webinars and maintains open communication with Epcon’s team. “Person-to-person and zoom-to-zoom conversations are where I gather most of my information,” he noted.

Advice for New Franchise Builders

For those considering Epcon, Roger’s advice is clear: “Talk to Epcon, ask your questions and visit an Epcon community to see the homes firsthand. The more you engage with the staff, salespeople and other Franchise Builders, the more you’ll see that Epcon truly is a partner for anyone looking to develop a 55+ community.”

To hear more about his story, watch Finding a Solution for Active Adults.

About Epcon

Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Epcon is a leading 55+ home building franchise in the United States. For more than 35 years, Epcon has integrated smart, innovative new home designs with the most desirable modern amenities popular with 55+ home buyers. A growing home building business or real estate development company can leverage Epcon Franchising’s proven home designs, technology, marketing and sales resources. Epcon Franchise Builders are given a competitive advantage to build smarter and scale faster in the 55+ home building market.

Epcon is ranked on Builder 100, Pro Builder Housing Giants and Home Builder Executive Top 100 Private Home Builders as a top U.S. home builder and the Franchise Times Top 400 list, has ranked on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 and has won many awards from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).