Go Green Contractor- How Green Renovation Tips Save Money and the Environment
A Go Green Contractor
A green contractor is someone who is knowledgeable about current environmental building trends and can make suggestions about various products and home renovations that will help their customer build a greener home or office. Most of our customers want to go green; however, they don’t know the most cutting edge ways to do it, and they think that it will cost them more than it’s worth. With all the new environmentally friendly technology out there, this isn’t the case. Money spent on a green renovation, is money well spent, because it will save the customer money in both the short and long term.
Green Suggestions for Your Customers
If your customers aren’t already aware, explain that performing a green renovation will help to lower their utility bills, reduce maintenance in the home, and provide healthier air quality. Explain all the current incentives and loan programs that are offered by the government and local power authorities to perform a green renovation. These incentives could be enough to convince your customers that creating a green home or office is well worth the effort.
The Energy Audit
Before performing a renovation, a green contractor should always suggest an energy audit. This will help your customers pinpoint the areas within their homes that are inefficient end environmentally unfriendly. Suggest energy saving lighting and fixtures that work on motion sensors or timers, an efficient furnace, extra insulation, increased insulation, newer windows and more windows to increase the natural light within their home.
The Water Conscientious Contractor
Help your customers with your go green contracting tips about using low-flow showerheads, dual flush toilets, low flush toilets, and even a gray water system to collect water from their sink and shower which feeds to the toilet.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Going green has taken the three R’s to a new level. Customers see the value of selecting durable products that may cost more, but last a long time. Sometimes it is appropriate to use reusable piping, metals and wood beams.
The Green Clean
Doing a clean renovation does more for the home than increase its aesthetic value. When a home renovation is not done in a green way and is not clean, dust, mould and other hazardous airborne particles can run rampant. Use easy clean building materials so that your customers can contribute to their green home with ease of cleaning. Teach them how to clean their surfaces, and other home appliances etc.
Green Gadgets and Gismos for Contractors
Showing your customers that you are a green contractor from the moment you walk into their home shows them that you will be conscientious about their home renovation and the environment. Your first impression needs to be a green one. The following green gadgets will help you stay clean and green in your contracting business.
Go Green, Go Paperless
Use a smartphone to deliver invoices electronically. This will save paper and show your customers that you are up on technology in your business. You can even get a payment attachment for your phone which will get all your credit card payments paperless and on the spot.
Neoprene Reusable Boot Covers
Wear a reusable neoprene boot cover over your safety boots when you enter a customer’s home. Paper and plastic boot and shoe covers exist, but they are disposable, and one-time use products that do not offer the same safety features, nor are they environmentally friendly.
The Green Clean Up
A biodegradable polythene garbage bag has been created to break down into water, gas and humus, within a landfill site. Rather than creating more garbage while you’re trying to dispose of garbage, use biodegradable plastic garbage bags on the job site during the clean-up. Also, use reusable rags over paper towels to clean your messes without the extra waste.
Whether you implement some or all of these tips into your green contracting business this season, your customers will appreciate the advice, and benefits that a green construction project will bring to their home.
