Going Green

Rick2008

I was just wondering how much some of you have been being asked questions about being a "green" contractor.

Going green seems to be the latest craze in everything from cars to homes. A lot of advertising is espousing their company as a "green" company. To me, it's just a euphemism for being an environmentalist and a new catch phrase for the media (who loves that political element) to support that movement.

Before I get up on a soapbox, let me get back to my original question.

Are any of you having clients ask you if you are a green builder? Have any of you been asked that question enough to look at what the standards are that define green building? Do you think this is a trendy idea that will fizzle in time or will it become something more like the Energy Star Program, which at one time was just a bonus you could say you offered?

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CatAlii

We have had clients ask us about using "greener" products for years... long before it became "the thing". The most common requests are low or no VOC paint and finishes, energy-efficient windows, energy-efficient lighting, skylights to maximum lighting in the daytime, formaldehyde-free building materials and water reclamation systems. We love it and are trying to learn as much as possible about the other aspects of green building in hopes of offering top-to-bottom green building options. I think it is something that is here to stay. Over time I believe there will be regulations requiring the use of more and more green materials and building practices.

We're members of the USGBC and are studying for the LEED AP exam as well as looking into some of the other green building certification programs - NARI, NKBA, NAHB, etc.

Did anyone see the segment on 20/20 this weekend about the human footprint? They had a bit about Steve Glenn's green home in Santa Monica. We're not too far from him. I'd love to check it out. Pretty amazing stuff!

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Cathy

Michalak Construction / MCC on Facebook / MCC on Twitter / MCC on Google+

MALCO.New.York

Green is a BS term!!! (as it is used and applied today)

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Rick2008

That sounds like a knee-jerk reaction. Can you not say more than that?

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Rick2008

Please don't quote 20/20 or CNN or any other media. That's exactly what I'm trying to get away from here.

I'd rather know about "why" they say that especially from the people in CA) Is it "just the thing to do" or are there real valid reasons for doing so?

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MALCO.New.York

This is my ENTIRE POINT. Too many people spouting off at the mouth because of something they have heard on the T.V..

Do you see what I mean now???


USGBC is a private, profit motivated, agendized (not a real word) group of policy mongers! A steering committee!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaders...nmental_Design

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LaurieC

Ditto.

I believe Green is here to stay. Will it make a difference to the environment? I have no idea, but it can't hurt. Will it make a difference in my HO's monthly bills? The people I've spoken to say they're are seeing a savings.

The best part of green building for me...Green is a spectrum. My HO can make a choice to go slightly green (just low VOC paint), or completely green. It's there choice. My job is to know the info, and give them the options if they ask.

My question? Why fight it? Using different/new products does not cost me additional time (except the time spent educating myself). I spend the same amount of time with my painter regardless of the VOC level in the paint.

genecarp

flavor of the month is GREEN

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CatAlii

I never quoted anything from 20/20, I merely asked if anyone had seen the "green" house they showed on TV. It was very cool! We've been "green" (and I don't care what the media calls an environmently sound and healthy way of building as long as people do it) long before it was brought to the forefront by the media. Although I am definitely glad that the media is finally talking about it as some people apparently think it is a new way of living which explains why our planet is in the shape it is.

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Cathy

Michalak Construction / MCC on Facebook / MCC on Twitter / MCC on Google+

George Z

Fully agree.
This is not a trend, it is about being responsible.

And this is brought up more and more:

It is about ethics.

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MALCO.New.York

Now you have done it........."Ethics"?



Do not get me wrong. Green is GOOD. But, like Al Gore, who won a Nobel (what a joke) for his work and has a house that has a gas bill of $3000 a month, most of the "Greenies" today are hypocrites!

http://www.snopes.com/politics/bush/house.asp

It is a GREAT thing to capitalize on right now. And yes IT IS A TREND. "Green Thinking" will die down, not go away, after time.

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dutchlegacy

maybe his remark was a bit quick, but he is correct in the context that the media is using it. EVERYONE is throwing the term "green" around, meanwhile having no clue what it means to truly plan and build a green home.

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CrazyTaper

Doing a job at NASA glenn-I added 25% to my price for "GREEN" measures. Can't complain.

dutchlegacy

you are part of the problem. that being said, kudos for capitalizing on a buzz-word.

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AAA Gutter

Ecology forever!!

Gasahol will save the planet!!

Wait, is this 1974???

Same BS, different decade!

MGSProperties

When ever i go to a customer and talk about doing remodeling for them i ALWAYS offer energy saving solutions. Heck i was doing this way before I even know it was called "green" that's how i was raised and that’s how my brain works. Why not offer a customer ways he can save on his energy bill & at the same time save both dollars & the environment. Now a days we are offering more & more "green" items and we are trying to keep up with all the new items that come out.

So my suggestions is this educate yourself a bit about green products and next time you are at a customer home try to offer energy efficient solutions and see what your customer says. Never met one that told me he does not want to save on his energy bills but what do I know

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MALCO.New.York

The nail on the head. Or the head on the nail........Either way, you is on da Money!!!!!

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Chris Johnson

Ignoring the media aspect of it, green or responsible building is here to stay. Cost is more in line with 'conventional' methods as opposed to 10 years when everything was double.

Recycling does have a cost associated with it, but some people will pay the extra cost to live guilt free knowing that they have helped in doing there part and not participated in contributing to the landfills of this world.

My method of green building is loved by some people, my product is recycled or a by-product from something else, as opposed to being waste as it may have been 25 years ago, the whole product is being used. Rebar is recycled steel, my concrete contains between 30 and 50% flyash or slag.

For the customers I have that are not as enviormentally friendly, I build damn strong homes that survive most natural disasters better.

10, 20, 30 years from now we will still have the green building as a standard only with improvements from where we are today.

California is looking like the leader, always has been...what do you the hippies from the 60's are today? It's the modern day tree huggers, same thing 40 years later. Check out all the green building shows we have out here

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john5mt

As a builder i don't think we can be ignorant of green building and stay in business. If you ask me some of the costs and ideas to "build green" are outrageous but being that this a product and labor driven industry i am educating myself on what the different options are so if that sort of thing interests the customer i am able to offer them the product they want. I don't believe the planet is warming up and there is an apocalypse insuing (sp?). However, just because i disagree with the conclusion does not mean i am against profiting by doing the work with green products and or letting them pay me more to help them recycle their old house parts. My labor rates and mark up is the same if they use cheap "unfriendly products" or "green" products. Any who choose to be green go ahead i don't care, if you try and legislate it or tax me then i will be in your face fighting you tooth and nail.

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George Z

For the one(s) that won't go away quietly:

IT IS ABOUT ETHICS.

As a painting contractor anyway,
bringing our chemicals to a customer's home,
is like having guys smoking in the kids bedrooms.

Who is Al Gore anyway?

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