Getting Your Green Home Project Started
Getting Your Green Home Project Started
Begin your new green home or green renovation project on a positive note by involving green construction firms early in the life of your project. Why? It’s really quite simple:
- to save time, reduce design-to-live time frame;
- to reduce costs, utilise design/build expertise for value engineering
Pre-planning & Sourcing
You can fast-track your project by as much as 6-9 months by bringing your green home builder into the design and planning process as a trusted adviser. While you and your Architect plan for your dream space, the contractor can be applying for permits to expedite construction.
Your design may call for select materials or custom work which may involve substantial lead times. By including your green home builders up front at the design stage, you empower them to source and cost those specifics, saving you time to project completion.
Value Engineering
Green home contractors can reduce the cost of construction by applying their in-the-field experience to design matters even before any ground is broken. It’s bringing expert design together with practical ‘can do’ experience.
You can potentially save tens of thousands by consulting them during the planning and design phases leading to final budget numbers. It’s a win/win/win situation for you in saved time and expense – for your Architects in reduced risk and delays – and your green builders in reduced delays and reconstruction.
Finding Green Home Builders & Renovators
In many cases you will have the expert assistance of your Architect in finding and interviewing green construction firms. The greatest benefit to your project in locating and contracting construction in this manner, is the positive and smooth working relationship between the Architectural practice and the construction firm.
Your Architects will have worked with many construction firms over the years. It’s a pretty safe bet that if they are recommending a business – they have had positive results with that business. Additional selection considerations include the construction firm’s proven expertise in specific project specialties. An example is century home green retrofits involving a combination of restoration and renovation to exacting standards.
Selecting A Green Construction Firm
Depending upon the complexity, difficulty and scope of your new green home project your Architect may suggest up to three contractors they feel are capable of completing your project on time and on budget.
It’s your job to select the green contractor whom you feel most comfortable working with for the duration of your green home construction project. Remember, your new green home may take up to 18 months to complete, which is why you want a contractor you feel you will be able to communicate with easily and honestly.
There are excellent reasons for selecting your green home builder early in the planning phase of your new home. Ultimately, bringing the green contractor on board at project start saves you and your Architect time.
And that time saving and smooth project flow can lead to tens of thousands in savings. It’s worth it, don’t you think?
