Here’s an interesting article on various ways to save money when building green. http://www.customhomeonline.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=204&articleID=966010
At Kogan Builders we are always working to find the right level of green design and building to suit our client’s preferences and budgets. People always assume that building green equates to expensive… here is our take on it:
Some green materials cost the same as their traditional counterparts, and Kogan Builders always uses them as a matter of course. We consider these substitutions to be “no brainers” and always suggest them. Because there are more companies producing green products, costs are coming down for consumers, making them a better choice not only for the budget, but also for healthier indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and environmental impact.
In other cases, certain materials, systems and construction techniques cost more initially, but quickly offset their cost due to drastic energy savings. In these scenarios, we often provide a cost analysis for our clients based specifically on their project and budget to help them make an informed decision about which products to use.
Lastly, we’ve heard that certain green products don’t make financial sense, they are simply more expensive than traditional products and it takes many years before they offset their cost, if ever. This is the case for certain products and materials, but often times clients will choose these simply for the principle of sustainable living. These products suit people who specifically are interested in environmental impact and their carbon footprint.
The good news is, each day there are more incentives, credits and rebates for green products and Kogan Builders can help you decide which ones are right for you.
If you are thinking of remodeling, or starting from scratch, call us for a free design consultation.