The Truth About Building Green Homes, From the Builders Perspective

Amherst, NH, August 22, 2010 - I am a second generation builder, building custom homes in New Hampshire. One of the great things about building custom homes in New England is that we often watch the rest of the country explore new ideas and ways to do things before we even consider them here. The International Building show has always been great place to see all the of these "things" before to come to the Northeast. It was not too long ago I was at one of these conventions thinking; plastic plumbing pipes, foundations made of foam legos, and cement siding, what will they come up with next? All these things are great for building in other parts of the country, but it will never take off in New England, us "Old Yankees Know Better".

"Building Green," is this just another fad that will die before it makes its way to New England or is this the start of a "Paradigm Shift" that I need to keep up with? The problem is, unlike the above mentioned products this is a way of building and not a tangible product. "W.I.I.F.M" the radio station that we all listen too; What's In It For Me? I am told that this is how us builders and potential customers think and to understand Build Green, I needed to understand the W.I.I.F.M. station from both sides.

Building a "Green Home" from the home owners perspective is great! The customer will inevitably get a home that has; a greater energy efficiency and reduces pollution, provides healthier indoor air quality, reduces water usage, preserves natural resources, and is both durable and will reduce maintenance, along with an expected higher resale. This all sounds great! The next question is always, at what cost, cause this all sounds great? "I would like to "Build Green" or incorporate "Green" components as long as we can stay with in my budget.

Building a "Green Home" from the builders perspective should also be something that is viewed not only great but necessary. The first thing every builder is going to tell me is "Building Green" is too expensive. I would "Build Green" but with the market being as competitive as its is right now, I cant afford to "Build Green." The truth is most us "Builders" would be surprised how much it cost (less than you may think). The government is currently paying us to learn with rebates as well as incentives and "Advanced Framing Techniques" promoted by the build green system allows us to use 30% less material on the structure of the home.

The truth is as a Builder who built his first "Gold Certified Green Home" this year, we can't afford not to build green. It's a niche market right now that is going to go main stream in the years to come when the government makes "Green" the building standard. The early adopters are doing their research and building green now, it is only a matter of time before each builder in the state has a potential customer that wants to Build Green. How many of us can afford to turn away business?

Another Truth the home owner definitely gets a better home with 3rd party inspections. I had an insulator, after I mentioned the home was getting audited to be a "Green Home", tell me he had to redo the insulation on the first floor cause it wasn't going to pass the audit. Shouldn't subcontractors be doing their job right either way?... We all know energy prices are going to go up and when that happens Home owners will be looking to be more energy conscience, and with all the news lately in the Gulf, who doesn't feel the desire to be more planet friendly?

The biggest Truth as a Builder is, the greatest thing about "Building Green Homes" is that when a home owner wants "just a home" there are thousands to choose from, if they want a "Green Home" they will have to build one. I am not going to sugar coat everything, there is some paperwork and time involved in learning. Learning, changing, and adapting are things us Builders do all the time; and now is the time to be learning to "Building Green" and stay ahead of the consumer curve.

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