How To Find A Green Contractor
You need to find a contractor who could build to my health and environmental specifications. Sometimes you do need to hire subcontractors. So how do you choose a green contractor? And where do you find them?
Green building is a large field that encompasses everything from healthy indoor air quality to using resources efficiently and choosing building products made from ecologically sound growing and manufacturing practices. Most contractors don't have training, experience, or even awareness of these issues but more and more contractors are learning about the subject and offering their services.
All signs point to an increase in the number of green contractors in many more communities in the near future. Already, nearly 250 general contractors across America have completed the requirements for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) professional accreditation. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) crafted LEED, which is standards for green building in the U.S., and certifies building projects according to these standards. Accreditation identifies individuals who have demonstrated detailed knowledge of LEED project certification requirements and possess a command of integrated design principles by passing a comprehensive exam.
But maybe you don't need (and don't want to spend money on) a contractor who can help you pass the LEED requirements for certification. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)
is gearing up a green contractor program to serve the average homeowner.
There are a lot of different guidelines out there for building green; things like Energy Star appliances, low-e windows, FSC-certified hardwood floors, and cabinets that don't outgas formaldehyde. We want contractors to be familiar with green building products and offer them to their clients.
Some areas already have their own local education and certification programs for contractors. Ask around at places like local natural food stores, hardware stores, or a green building materials store, if you have one in your community. Check for both local green building materials stores and local green building organizations.
Design
Engineers
Our advice is to first do your own research on green building and decide which aspects are most important to you. Some green contractors know how to build a passive solar house, but know nothing about reducing toxic exposures from building materials. Make sure the green contractor you choose has knowledge in the area of green building you are most interested in.
And finally, be sure to plan ahead exactly which materials will be used and have a signed agreement about this. If you are building a house from the ground up, the architect will write specifications. But if you are remodeling, you may not have these. Have the contractor go over the entire process and tell you all the materials and finishes he is going to use.
So, do your homework. Find the green materials and building practices you want to use, then find a contractor who will use them.
RESOURCES
.greenhomeguide.com
In certain areas of the country, like Northern California, there has
been enough interest in green building that there are now quite a
few contractors and other building professionals who have some kind
of experience and training in building green. In areas where there
are no experienced or trained contractors, look for someone who has
done at least something - maybe used a low-volatile organic chemical
(VOC) paint on a project - that shows they have some interest and
willingness to learn about and use green products.
