Getting your Green Credentials

By Tanja Kern 5/9/2009
Interview with Steve Shinn, GCP, owner of Homework Remodels

Today’s homeowners want remodels that improve their quality of life and are eco-conscious. Figuring out what constitutes a green remodel can be confusing, and that’s why so many homeowners rely on contractors to help them navigate the choices. Remodelers who incorporate green building practices into their business have great potential to educate their clients and do something good for the Earth. Going green can also help set your business apart from the competition.

To be a green remodeler, contractors should make energy efficiency a top priority, salvage and reuse building materials whenever possible, specify eco-friendly materials, use low VOC and formaldehyde-free building components, and plan for water conservation. Becoming an expert in sustainable building takes years, and savvy remodelers know that promoting their expertise is a great way to find new clients. Incorporating these building methods into your company’s mission statement, Web site, promotional materials and project estimates will help to get the word out about your company’s eco focus.

Obtaining “green” credentials is another smart way to demonstrate your knowledge in environmentally friendly products and building practices. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry offers a Green Certified Professional (GCP) designation to help recognize remodelers who apply green or sustainable practices to their business.

Laurie Cisowski, project operations manager for Earth Bound Homes [www.myearthboundhome.com] in Santa Clara, Calif., says getting certified was an obvious choice for her business. All of Earth Bound’s projects are designed around increased energy efficiency and the use recycled, renewable and durable building materials. “In this day and age, with green taking off, there are a lot of people out there green washing,” she says. “Our clients come to us because or our knowledge, and our credentials add to our company’s credibility.”

Steve Shinn, owner of the design-build firm Homework Remodels [www.homeworkremodels.com] in Phoenix, Ariz., became the first remodeler in Phoenix to obtain green certification. Shinn works on historic homes, mid-century modern homes, and older homes of all ages said he saw the certification as a way to promote himself as a specialized professional to potential clients. “The people who own these homes care about details and about doing the right thing for the environment,” he says.

While some homeowners view sustainability as using a certain type of recycled countertop or flooring, Shinn teaches his clients to take a whole-house approach: “I pride myself on working with the homeowners during the design phase to get the most bang for their buck. Every remodel has hundreds of choices, and I walk them through them. It’s not an all or nothing thing.”

Josh Bogle, CRA, GCP, owner of Green Remodeling [www.greenrem.com] in Boise, Idaho, helped pilot the Green Certified Professional course for NARI. His work to bring "green" into the construction industry comes from a commitment to living simply, eating locally, and transforming the nation’s existing housing infrastructure to serve the needs of the future. “Our goal is to show customers how to make their home as durable, energy-efficient and healthy as possible,” Bogle says.

In between large remodeling projects, Bogle does readings on the energy efficiency of his customers’ homes. Bogle also will take the client’s energy bills for the year, insert the figures into a spreadsheet and compare them to other homes in the area. “This is a great way to help people figure out what their path toward net zero or close to zero should be,” he adds.

 

This green remodeling article and numerous others can be viewed at www.greenremodeling.org/consumer/articles.aspx

Green Remodeling is just one of the remodeling specialties we offer to our clients in Phoenix and the surrounding citys of Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale and Mesa.