materials on grass

最近的研究表明,选择一个绿色的家enovation process can increase your rate of return byclose to 20%.

Additionally, going green can sometimes save youover $1,000 every yearon home operating costs like electricity andwater bills.

Not only that — green homes are an incredibly popular market trend,尤其是千禧一代.

如果你正在考虑装修你的房子,雇用绿色承包商的好处远远不止是环境。它还可以帮助你的钱包包一个严重的打击。

继续阅读,了解更多关于你需要寻找可靠的,有经验的绿色承包商。

1确保他们有执照

While checking for licenses and asking to see a company’ssafety management planis a crucial part of any home renovation, it’s especially important when it comes to working with green contractors.

通常,绿色装修需要比标准装修更复杂的工作。这意味着,找到一个有经验的承包商,第一时间完成工作是必不可少的。

A proper license is the first indicator of that experience.

The next one is a solid safety plan and insurance policy. Insist upon getting this in writing to prevent you from being held liable should anything go wrong during the renovation process.

2. Ask For Samples Of Past Work

You’ve likely read studies exposing food companies claiming to be “organic” thatare anything but.

Unfortunately, the same thing holds true for shoddy green contractors. There are people out there that will claim to use “green” and “eco-friendly” techniques and designs — without ever having any intention of actually doing so.

However, don’t let a few bad apples spoil the bunch.

Instead, know what to look out for.

Ensure that your contractor has certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system. This means that your potential contractor has all the education they need to actually build a green home from the ground up — or renovate an existing home to make it more eco-friendly.

Then, ask the right questions to prove to your contractor you’ve done your research on their due diligence. Ask if they use paints that are low in volatile organic compounds. Also inquire about their use of passive solar design, which helps to ensure that both heat and cool air are spread evenly throughout a home.

If they can’t give you a straight answer, or don’t even know what you’re talking about, it’s time to cut and run.

Another way to ensure your contractor can get the job done right?

直接联系过去的客户。要求直接推荐以及他们过去工作的投资组合/样本。如果一个承包商不愿意给你这两样东西或其中任何一样东西,是时候继续前进了——你躲过了一枪。

三。坚持建筑大师

The majority of green contractors today will also be certified as “Master Builders” by the Energy and Environmental Building Alliance (“EEBA” for short.)

这不仅意味着你的承包商将是最新的技术和发展,在世界上的绿色建筑和设计。

这也意味着他们将能够平衡你的审美愿望与你的绿色目标。换句话说,他们会给你一个既环保又符合你设计理念的房子。

4. Is Your Contractor A Certified Remodeler?

Green renovations are meant to make your home more pleasant andimprove your quality of life.

However, a poor remodeling job can have the opposite effect. Not to mention, it can also be an incredible waste of resources.

To avoid a headache and additional expenses, make sure you’ve hired a remodeling contractor that’s been certified by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI.)

5. Ask How They Plan To Conserve Materials

不管你的承包商在你的装修过程中付出了多少努力,有时候,材料的浪费也会意外发生,这是无法回避的事实。

What you need to focus on, however, are there concrete plans to reduce the amount of materials they’ll use to complete your project. Fewer materials means less trash — and of course, more financial savings for you.

Another part of this conservation of materials?

一旦你的项目完成,你的承包商计划如何充分利用剩下的东西。确保你和你的承包商谈谈他们计划如何处理多余的供应。

Many stores that cater to low-income families accept donations of building materials. This means that they’ll help a family in need to build a home, instead of sitting in a landfill.

Of course, these stores can’t accept everything that you’ll have leftover. So, it’s important to ask your green contractor about how they plan to recycle any leftover materials that can’t be donated.

6. Make Sure Communication Is Consistent

As a homeowner, you have a right to be kept up-to-date about the progress of your renovation project.

Before you get started, make it clear with your contractor about how the two of you plan to stay in touch, and what you expect to be completed by specific dates. As with the insurance policy, also get these dates and commitments in writing if possible.

Remember, if a contractor takes weeks to respond to emails, it’s a pretty good indicator of what the construction process will look like.

Hire Green Contractors For Your Next Remodeling Job

Thanks to these tips, you can confidently begin the search for the perfect green contractor to create or update the sustainable home of your dreams.

Remember, it’s all about asking questions, doing your research, and holding your contractor accountable.

当然,你的家不是唯一一个你应该环保的地方。

Check out our blog for tips on how to lower the environmental impact of your office. We also offer advice on a variety of eco-friendly topics, including achieving environmental wellness and tips on how to handle apest invasion the green way.

Keep checking back with our site to ensure you’re always up-to-date with the latest green development.