10 money saving construction tips
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Diving into huge construction projects with green on the mind doesn't mean that you will be hemorrhaging money. In fact a lot of green building techniques will save you cash instantly. Green building is about being a smart contractor by reducing waste and opting for materials that are easy on the earth. Here are ten tips throughout all phases of construction that can save you money and will make you a green superhero:
- Design smart. Early in the design process, keep standard building sizes in mind. Don't try to shrink the width of the bathroom resulting in the need of a special ordered tub (more carbon miles and expensive too).
- Site waste. By asking your suppliers to buy back unused materials or delivering them on returnable pallets, you can cut down on the waste generated by your site. The best way to reduce waste is through good planning.
- Purchase Power. Buy materials that don't have excessive packaging. When possible, choose items made of recycled materials.
- Recycle on site. Waste that is generated on site can be recycled. Make sure to tell your crew that recycling is mandatory from roofing tiles to Coke bottles.
- Security. Construction site theft is a constant threat. You can set up solar powered cameras to deter this practice.
- Salvage yards. Know the rules and requirements at local recycling and salvage yards so that you can better sort your waste. You may even get money for some of the items you bring to them.
- Control run off. Water and liquid wast runoff from job sites can enter public waterways, damaging the ecosystems and polluting drinking water. Pay attention to all government regulations regarding run off and save yourself some hefty fees later on.
- Green materials. Familiarize yourself with green materials on the market. Substitutions can be made without breaking the bank.
- Deconstruction. What goes up must come down. Keep the end of the building's life in mind when designing. Make it easy to take apart or add on to. Using bolts instead of glue give more reusable pieces when it is broken down.
- Keep records. Documenting your efforts may get you an unexpected LEED certification which could get your higher profits and possible some tax write-offs.
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