Home Builders - Building the Green Way

The search for a new home can be both exhausting and discouraging for a buyer. There are so many factors that come into play whether they are looking to buy an existing residence or using home builders. Many things are involved in the decision making process: Price, location, square footage per dollar, the commute to work, the quality of the school district, the tax base, is public transportation available nearby and so on? All of these questions must be applied to each property being considered and then a side by side comparison should be done, narrowing down the right location for everyone who will be calling the new construction their home.

A consultation with a few of the local home builders can assist a buyer in laying out all of the options available to them. Each of the home builders will have a representative available to provide a walk-through of a model home that will showcase the builder's craftsmanship and who will discuss with the potential buyer all of the upgrades available for purchase. One consideration that may influence the decision making process is whether or not a builder uses "green" products and materials during the construction of the home.

A concern for the environment and the carbon footprint a person makes throughout their life has become a factor in most people's day to day life, from a desire to recycle waste to the choice to trade in their gas guzzling vehicle for an alternative fuel or electric car. These changes are being applied to building materials and design features in new construction or home remodeling, as well. Customers are purchasing counter tops manufactured from recycled glass and selecting flooring made of bamboo, in addition to installing insulation comprised of soy based foam or blown in recycled blue jeans.

Home builders are making products available to a client with a preference for green materials by establishing a working relationship with solar panel and wind turbine companies and those who install tankless water heaters. While access to a clubhouse with a pool or a home that is situated alongside a lake or river holds vast appeal to many buyers, the opportunity to reside in a home that is full of environmentally friendly features that will also save the residents money on their utility bills is a huge incentive to most buyers, too.

Each of the contractors should provide information on their years of experience in construction, any awards they may have received for design work and their familiarity of codes and regulations for the state they are working in. They should provide proof they are licensed, certified, bonded and insured, and approval by the BBB and an affiliation with the Home Builders Association are an additional bonus. Customer testimonials touting satisfaction with work that has been done by the construction company should be provided to a future client, as well.