These days, more people than ever are making tremendous efforts to minimize their impact on the environment and help to build sustainable communities for generations to come. When it comes to building a home, making environmentally responsible purchasing and living decisions can bring a host of benefits to the homeowner, community and environment.

What does it mean to build a green home?

Building a green home means using processes, methods and materials that do less harm to the environment, and building a home that will last a long time and will keep the occupants healthy after they move in. This can be accomplished by using efficient designs, using materials that improve indoor air quality and are healthy to live with, and building houses that use less water and energy, and are built to last.

Today’s green builders are building better houses than ever by taking the next step in quality. Builders who are focused on green construction set themselves apart right away.

Green homes have built-in advantages such as more comfort and lower utility bills, and they tread more lightly on the environment. But you can’t just add some green products and expect the house to perform well – it’s how the parts work together that is important. To take advantage of these innovations, it is vital to connect with a green builder who believes in the benefits, understands your needs, and has the skills to meet them.

How to choose the best green builder for you:

Certification

Third-party certifications are available for green builders who have gone through training and independent review. Green practices and products are constantly evolving so it’s important for builders to keep up with current green practices and to pursue continuing education. Certifications are also a great reference when measuring health and environmental benefits of a green home.

Communication

Building a house is a big project – you want a builder you can trust and depend on. Since the project will usually take months, it is important to choose a builder who has good communication and organization skills, as well as solid build-green products and know-how. A quality builder cares about your needs, questions and concerns.

The best builder for you is likely the one who listens to what you say and answers your questions. Equally important is that your builder is able to hear what you may not be saying and asks you questions to ensure that he or she understands what you want. A great builder is also a good problem solver, so keep in mind that meeting your needs may happen differently that you had envisioned. It is your ideas, style and needs that matter, so a great builder will balance everything you want with your green priorities.

Education

Things are constantly evolving in the industry of green construction. Your builder should be able to clearly and simply explain terms like sustainable, high-performance and green, and products such as tankless water heaters, heat pumps and geothermal heating.

Value

Your new home budget plays a large role in the decisions you will make, but when building green, it is important to consider the big picture. A great builder will help you find the best value in the context of your ideas, style and needs. Keep in mind that monthly costs to run a green home are less and your promised home’s health and environmental benefits add to the value of your home. Including the cost of energy-efficiency improvements into a mortgage is often a better long-term solution than cost-cutting. And, an EnerGuide-rated home will potentially have a higher resale value when you’re ready to move on.

After considering all of these points, follow your instincts when choosing a green builder for your new home. Choose the builder who seems to genuinely care about helping you get the best home for you, gives clear answers to your questions and promptly returns your emails or voicemails. Ask for references and client testimonials.

Working with a green builder who has a great track record, is in tune with your style and tastes, and stays in touch with you should result in a beautiful house you will be proud to call home.

--source: www.greenbuildingadvisor.com

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