Are you familiar with “green” home builders? They are contractors who construct homes from sustainable or renewable products. These green home builders use durable materials in building all kinds of homes ranging from individual bungalows to expansive, real estate developments. Just like traditional builders, they handle diverse types of construction but build in a way that minimizes waste.
Green homes have gained recent popularity due to their energy efficiency, water efficiency and minimal impact on the environment. Apart from their environmental impact, green homes are known to boost the quality of living for the occupants. Moreover, a green home can enhance their overall well-being.
While searching for a suitable, green home builder, you must examine aspects of their past work like their building strategies, experience, quality of work and expertise. A green home builder must be actively involved in all phases of your home construction; they should be a part of the process from the time of design inception to the completion of the home.
Here are things to consider before employing the services of a green home builder:
License
Just like other businesses, it is essential for real estate builders to have a license that permits them to construct green homes. These licenses are issued by the state, federally, or via local city council. It is proof that a particular contractor has a permit to build a sustainable house. Therefore, you must ensure that a green home builder has a license before employing his/her services.
Experience/ Expertise
Experience is a quality that a green home builder must have. In addition to a license, builders may seek the designation "Certified Green Professional" (CGP), which is an industry determination requiring them to pass specific coursework to obtain and maintain. In addition to certification, to choose a reliable and experienced green home builder, you should endeavor to ask your prospective green home builders to show some similar projects that they have done in the past.
Green builders who believe in the quality of their work may refer you to their past customers. When meeting these customers, ask questions that will give you an idea of the builder’s level of expertise, and how living in a green home enhances their lives.
Knowledge is power, so don't be afraid to ask the tough and necessary questions to ensure you're getting the most value and efficiency for your money. To find a green home in your area, seek the advice of your real estate professional today.
About the Author
Carolyn Andrews
Carolyn Andrews has over 30 years licensed Brokerage experience in both California and Colorado. Born in England, Carolyn moved to California in 1980, then relocated to Denver, Colorado in 1991. Carolyn has also received recognition for Top Sales at RE/MAX Alliance Aurora in 2007-2008 and is a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame & Chairman’s Club, as well as a recipient of the ReMax Lifetime Achievement Award. Carolyn has sold over 2000 homes personally in her career. Carolyn has been actively involved in many aspects of the Real Estate business including investment property, luxury homes, mountain resort property, skiin/ski out, REO/default management, loss mitigation, valuations, and disposition. She has been a speaker and panelist at several conferences and has been consulted on many occasions by various organizations in the REO/financial industries for her expertise and served on many boards. She has attended numerous ongoing classes to stay abreast of changes in the ever-evolving Real Estate industry. She is the prior State Director for Colorado for VAREP(Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals). She is a member of 3 boards of Realtors including Metro Denver, Colorado Springs and Summit County mountain areas. She heads up The Andrews Group and is or has been an active member of NAR, CAR,REOMAC, CIPS, CRS, AREAA, NAPW, NAHREP, and is an original member of the ELITEReal Estate network. She was ranked #1 for most homes sold in Denver 2007 by Denver Board of Realtors, #2 for 2008, and #2 for 2009, #5 in 2010 and #4 in 2011 and has been consistently in the top 10 ever since. Carolyn Andrews has been a top rated Endorsed Local Provider for the Dave Ramsey Organization and also a Top Producing agent for 2018 for the Homelight Company.
