by Alden Smith
When you consider building a green home, one of the first things you need to do is find a local contractor who is involved in green building. Although you might think this an easy task, it can be a real challenge to find a builder who is experienced. A search through the local Michigan phone book found no one listed that specifically does green work. This does not mean that experienced green builders aren't out here. If anything, it shows that contractors are not placing emphasis on green building.
Searching For a Green Contractor
Just because a contractor doesn't list in his advertisements that he specializes in green housing does not mean that he can't. Often you can find one who is not only willing but capable of performing required tasks. Remember, building green is subject to three main areas:
- Site orientation
- Impact on environment
- The use of green building materials
If you are interested in a green home, you will already have a very good idea of what you want to build. You have done your due diligence, and have researched what it takes to build a green home. Now all you need is for someone to do this work for you.
Partnership is the Key
An important consideration when planning to build green is having an architect who has experience with green buildings. Because your project is specialized, finding an architect who works with green buildings is a must. If you want to know right away if the architect will fit your needs, ask him if he has designed any buildings that have been Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. If he hasn't a clue about what you are asking, chances are he will not meet your needs.
The partnership grows further when the architect works closely with the contractor and you. Building a green home is not an exotic application. It does, however, require materials that meet specific needs. Your responsibility in this partnership is to locate and help gather the necessary supplies that meet your standards for going green. This gives the contractor incentive to work closely with you.
What About Budgetary Impact?
A lot of skeptics will argue that the cost of going green far surpasses a normal project. This is far from the case. An LEED certified green building project will add about 2% more to your budget. If you consider the extra value added to your home, increased market valuation and possible rental premiums, then the 2% is easily recovered short term.
A case study by Davis Langdon Adamson, a construction cost-planning and management company, found that the construction of a sustainable building matches or slightly exceed the costs of a comparable non-green building. The report, "Costing Green: A Comprehensive Cost Database and Budgeting Methodology" is available. The report, issued in 2004, studied the square foot construction costs of 61 building that were seeking LEED certification. They compared these costs against buildings that were not seeking certification or being built to be sustainable. Things considered were climate, location, market conditions and local standards. The study found that seeking LEED certification had little or no impact on budget.
A List of Resources
Credit is given to the Association of Green Contractors for the following links:
AGC of America · 2003 AGC Green Products Directory
Department of the Interior · Guiding Principles of Sustainable Design
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) · Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES)
Green Building Program · Sustainable Building Sourcebook ·
Water · Energy · Building Materials · Solid Waste
National Institute of Building Sciences · Whole Building Design Guide · Design Guidance and Project Management
US Green Building Council · Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification
The scope of this article does not allow for a complete listing. These links are only a jumping off place for the serious builder. Building green is not complicated. It does, however, require commitment from the home builder. Give it a try. The planet will thank you.
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