Maybe you’ve just purchased a home, or maybe you’ve decided to finally remodel your old kitchen or bathroom, or maybe you’ve decided to finally build that dream house you always wanted. But you just don’t want to hire any construction company.
You really want to find a general contractor that respects your values and shares your concern for the environment. You want to find a general contractor that promotes sustainable construction techniques and uses eco-friendly construction materials.
Okay, great!
But what happens next? How do you find an environmentally friendly contractor?
Turns out that finding an eco-friendly general contractor is easier than it sounds…
Ask for a Referral
Word of mouth and referrals from friends and family is a tried and true way of finding any type of service you may need. So if you are looking for an eco-friendly general contractor first ask your neighbors, friends, or families which contractors they used recently.
… To The Internet!
Looking for an eco-friendly general contractor? Type in “Eco-friendly construction” in Google and you’ll no doubt find a dozen or more choices. Yelp and Angie’s List can help you narrow down your choices from a dozen to a half dozen.
Remember Green Is Also the Color of Money
Environmentally friendly construction is the new hotness in the construction industry. Eco-friendly, green, and sustainable construction practices are things a majority of people are seeking from their general contractor.
This has led to many contractors touting green construction as a selling point, and predictably this also led many general contractors to claim they use ecologically friendly construction techniques when they don’t.
So how do you ensure that a contractor is green and not just after green?
Talk to each contractor and ask exactly what kind of sustainable construction techniques do they use.
Also emphasize the sustainable practices that are important to you. For instance, most people want a paint that is free of toxins. So ask your general contractor about what kind of paint they use. If using recycled building materials is important to you, ask about what type of recycled building materials they use.
LEED Certification
LEED certification is an independent third party certification that a contractor meets certain standards for sustainability, water conservation, and energy efficiency.
Not every sustainable construction company will have a LEED Certification, but if eco-friendly construction is important to you, asking your contractor about his LEED certification status is an important step.
Choose Wisely
Hiring a general contractor is a prolonged interview process. You have to find a contractor that you can work with, who is affordably, and who shares your value. If eco-friendly construction is something you value make sure you do your homework and vet potential contractors before you hire them.