You already have the method of factoring after substituting (x+2) with another variable then replacing after factoring. You can also leave it, preform the functions within the equation, consolidate and then factor, thus:
If you can factor:
u^2 - 7u +12 you can factor your problem
It factors as:
(u - 3)( u -4)
so we get:
[(x+2) - 3][(x+2) - 4]
you can combine terms and get:
(x-1)(x-2)