Construction Business Owner, May 2008

The implementation of "green" building practices promises to become an increasingly important initiative among construction business owners in the coming years as public concern for the environment rises and environmental legislation expands. Not only can green building practices serve to differentiate construction companies from the crowd and help them gain a competitive edge in the market, they can also generate community support and improve brand identity by establishing them as responsible, dependable members of the community.

Construction Business Owner, March 2008

Editor’s Note: This is the final of three articles on practical, cost-effective, green building techniques by Jeff Binder of greenbuildingblocks.com.

A few months ago, we set out to identify a few sustainable building techniques that actually save builders’ budgets. We came up with fifteen.

Construction Business Owner, March 2008

There are a wide variety of environmental investigation techniques that may be desired or required for new construction and remodeling. Each type of assessment has a different purpose and an ideal time frame to help answer questions without stalling the project. Unfortunately, at present, there is no such thing as a “tri-corder,” a device used in the Star Trek television series that determined types of life forms, genetic structure, chemical makeup and a risk assessment when pointed at any area of interest.

Contractors that have a "green" advantage can gain a valuable foothold in the architectural marketplace, especially as more and more designers and building owners seek environmentally-friendly materials and construction practices for their projects.

For most contractors, their role in implementing sustainable practices can at first appear intimidating. But it boils down to understanding the four main areas covered within most green building rating systems. These include: construction waste management, indoor air quality management, materials selection and use and reporting protocols.