For those who are planning to build a new house or do some major home remodeling, why not do such tasks the eco-friendly way?. The concepts of green building have taken a major foothold in the home building and construction industry.

Based on US Census figures, it was estimated that more than 1.3 million new homes were built in the United States in 2002, and remodelling and home improvement spending in 1996 amounted to $119 billion. Remodeling or constructing your home gives you a chance to help transform the marketplace towards a sustainability and environment-friendly one, and create living space that’s better for you and the environment.

Homes Have A Major Effect On The Environment

It’s a fact that homes affect the planet,from the use and depletion of natural resource, human health, to overall ecological integrity. Aside from basic health and safety measures mentioned in the building code, there’s no requirement to minimize these impacts. A new home construction or remodel would serve an opportunity in creating a symbolic and physical representation of your commitment to caring for the planet, health, and in a vital and engaged community.

Why It Pays To Find Architects Or Contractors Who Espouse Green Building Concepts

One you try looking for eco-friendly home building concepts and practices, you’ll be surprised to quickly find one once you tap into the local design community, that there are a number of firms that have gained stellar reputations for going green.

Upon closer observation, you’ll notice that within the general category of green, each firm or architect will have its strong points, as some focus on healthy building, while other concentrate on energy efficiency and/or renewable energy, and some apply their expertise on green materials, natural building techniques, or building modular homes. Look for a professional contractor that has extensive applied experience in building green, and will gladly apply these elements to your home project.

Choosing Green Architects And Home Contractors

- Check Out Their Previous Record For Demonstrated Experience.

First, do a thorough background check on an architect or contractor’s experience with green building. Find out if he or she can point to specific projects in their portfolio, and provide references as well. Aside from ensuring that the architect or contractor is licensed and bonded, ask if he or she is a member of green design organizations or has participated in any programs, and if the contractor follows construction practices that minimize pollution and protects indoor air quality and enhance worker health and safety as well.

- Ensure That A Contractor Practices What He Or She Professes.

Aska prospective home contractor or architect how he or she operates their business; like does he recycle in the office as well as on the job site? Find out if the green design elements evident,such as environmentally responsible materials and office supplies, energy efficient lighting, fixtures.

- Check If Green Concepts Are Incorporated Into the Contract Details

Architects have standard specifications that lays out the orders for everyone involved in building the house, down to how the paint is applied and what quality of materials are chosen for the cabinets. These specifications are generally customized by each company, and further modified for each project. These specs are a powerful tool in green building, while at the same time, are a legal document, and can be tedious to review sometimes. Ask an architect or contractor to give you an overview of the specifications for your project, and ensure that they cover all these.

http://realestatepr.org – Real Estate PR

By: Vanessa A. Doctor

About the Author:

If you are thinking of having a house built from scratch or any other type of building project such as turning a bedroom into a bathroom or a garage into a bedroom, a loft conversion, or a complete redesign of a room, then you will more than likely need the expert advice of an architect.

An architect will listen to your ideas and put these into action by implementing some professional design plans. Once these designs have been drawn up they will need to be sent to the council for planning permission (if planning is required) and then the waiting process begins. However when assigning a professional to monitor this they will be fully aware of the local building regulation so if you appoint the right person it should be pretty smooth sailing on your side, however waiting for the plans to come back from the council may take a while if they have a lot of applications.

Once you get the go ahead and you have your builders in place the architect will run through the plans with the builders to make sure they fully understand what the project entails and then the work commences.

The actual construction side of the project can be very messy especially if you living in the house whilst the work is being carried out. Many people, if the project is big, choose to live in a caravan, now this can be ok for a couple of weeks, but if you are having a house built from scratch the construction could quite possible be carried out during the winter months, so be sure to take this into consideration, as it is not everyone’s cup of tea living in a caravan during the winter months.

By: Andrew Roberts

About the Author:

It is needless to state; but most of the readers might be aware of the architects, their importance while designing, and implementing office space or a house. It will try to keep it brief and concise – how does one locate the best residential architects? Of course, you know that the reputed ones have their own web portals. However, will skimming through the website (which was designed by web professionals) help you to determine the dexterity of an architect? Likewise, will a commercial architect who does the designing work for your office space suffice (to work on residential projects)?

There are considerable differences in the way residential architects and commercial architects are noted to work. In simpler terms, leave those commercial architects alone and find time to locate the best residential architect. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find the most eligible candidate. Your friend or a friend of a friend might have sought the aid of one while designing his house. Maybe you can check out the house and if you like it, you can start negotiating with the architect. Some mistakes that must be avoided while looking for architects are given in the succeeding passages.

Most of us hold the notion that the residential architect must be chosen according to his or her qualifications. Qualifications merely illustrate the fact that the architect was good at studying. Other than that, never ever consider that factor as a measuring stick. The real life experiences are different, and you will have to seek the services of someone who might not be a rank holder, but is proficient enough to undertake any kind of designing works bestowed to him. The willing to take newer projects and assign it to other architects (working in the same company) while supervising them at regular intervals – always consider this fact.

A quick look at some of the previously designed projects and you will be able to harness some ideas about the capabilities of the residential architecture. Never bias your assumptions based on one work. Always take the time to look at some other projects that were completed under the guidance of the same architect. I do realize that this is going to take some time but Rome was not built on a day. You will have to take the necessary precautions while skimming through the profiles and zooming into a particular architect.

Certain residential architects are now concentrating on greener homes. They design the house in such a manner that it will be energy conserving. For example, during the summers you will not be required to use the air conditioners at all the times. The natural ventilation of the house will be tweaked so that the occupants do not experience the shabby temperatures. The same is applicable during the winters also. The use of environmental friendly materials is something that is often considered as an added advantage when it comes to residential architects. Once you have found the appropriate candidate, please ensure to familiarize him with your requirements.

By: Saki Vakaciwa

About the Author: