Now Hiring a Green Builder

Builder - As more consumers are growing increasingly aware of the impact civilization has upon the earth, people are looking for more environmentally friendly ways to build and remodel homes. Find a green builder is not unlike finding any other type of professional: you have to know what questions to ask before you can find one.
The construction industry has been slow at incorporating sustainable practices in their work. During the economic boom when new construction starts were over a million per year, it seemed like few builders had much of an appetite to get LEED certified and to build eco-friendly homes. Now that the real estate market has plummeted and new construction was all but wipe off the face of the map, those contractors who were still in business decided to take a good, hard look at the products they were producing and how to build them smarter, more cost effectively and more efficiently.
The result has been quite impressive. Newly constructed homes now are coming equipped with such green tech as waterless water heating systems (there is no water heater full of water that must be heated before it comes out of your faucet) and 90% efficient furnaces that do not experience the kind of heat loss like traditional duct work experiences. Solar panels are popping up in cities where the sun’s light can be captured and turned to energy. Even the small things like energy light bulbs and lights triggered by motion sensors all contributing to reducing the footprints of those who use them.
To find a qualified green builder, the best place to start is not by asking your friends or family for a referral. Chances are most people you know do not know a certified green contractor. Rather, contact your local home builders association or association of REALTORS for a list of certified green contractors. You can also search the web for help.

Green builders that are LEED certified make some of the most qualified contractors. LEED stands for Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design and is used as the benchmark for determining how eco-friendly a building is, from concept to design to final product. The contractors who receive the LEED certification are held to a high standard and understand fully what is involved in building a green home or converting an existing one to a green home.
No matter how you found a potential green builder, it is important to speak to past clients and ask to visit past projects. Just because a contractor has a certain certification does not mean they are also reliable, responsive and results-driven.Know more about trade association and Builders