Green Building - $ And Marketability
I've read that it really doesn't cost any more than traditional home building. True? I'm very interested in green building. Do you really think it makes a property more marketable?
Thanks,
Ginnie
Ginnie,It cost about 20% more to build green. All the custom homes I build use either steel framing or ICF's which are superinsulated. I have a client who built a 12,000 SF home and their gas and electric bills are averaging less than $250.00 per month. Their gas and electric bills in their former 5,000 SF home averaged over $400.00 per month.
Hello Ginnie,
Green Building is more expensive, however it's not necessarily an all or non deal. Well some builders will use ICF's and steel studs such Michael, there are several other products you can use to build more green than traditional means as well. You can use engineered products, such as engineered floor joist and roof trusses, OSB instead of plywood sheathing, high efficincy appliances, furnances, and water heaters. Better insulation, windows with low-e and well the list goes on. The point being if it is not feasible to go all out green building you can still make the homes more environmental friendly and help preserve our natural resources for generations to come. There is a good article on the NAHB website regarding this, so you may want to check it out. As for more marketable, in some areas yes, in some areas no. It depends on the society's attitude towards preservation. It also depends on the type of housing you intend to build. Obviously it wouldn;t be a cost effective way to build affordable housing if that's your goal. Just remember, some is better than none so find out what will work in your area and go for it! Good luck
Ginnie,You want to do some green building. Do what Lufos a/k/a Lucius does he takes sea shipping containers and converts them into affordable houses for those with low income in Southern California.
Are the ICF things you are talking about the styrofoam blocks that you build the foundation walls out of and then pour cement in the centers?
I'm seeing that done more and more but don't necessarily see the benefits when the cost is so much greater.
What are everyone's experiences?
Why would you guys consider steel studs to be more environmental friendly then wood? Steel is manufactured from a finite resource whereas wood is a renewable and sustainable resource.
The problem I have with the "Green" label is that most people (myself included) do not really know what is and what is not environmentaly sound.
Quote:
On 2004-04-22 21:57, MichaelChandler wrote:
Ginnie,It cost about 20% more to build green. All the custom homes I build use either steel framing or ICF's which are superinsulated. I have a client who built a 12,000 SF home and their gas and electric bills are averaging less than $250.00 per month. Their gas and electric bills in their former 5,000 SF home averaged over $400.00 per month.
Thanks Michael. OK, silly question. What is ICF? I love the idea of green building, upgrades which will save money on utilities, etc. I thought I'd probably need to put these features in more upscale homes, is that what you are finding in your area? How do you promote this?
Quote:
There is a good article on the NAHB website regarding this, so you may want to check it out.
thanks, I'll check it out
Ginnie,ICF's are insulated concrete forms. They are made of stryrofoam and use steel rebar to help reinforce the concrete that is poured into the forms. Pspiers,Steel is also a renewable resource. Steel is recyclable. [ Edited by MichaelChandler on Date 04/24/2004 ]
the reason I am using ISO containers is that they are so cheap my costs are way under anything else I have seen. Of course I am also removing an item that seems to be in everybodies way. The Ports want them gone as they clutter up the container lots as there is very little movement of goods back to China from whence they came. If the trade situation turns around I truly hope by that time I can be in some form of production housing which by simplicity of joins and dimensions will equal my present time cost and I can produce an even more efficient dwelling. I do like Modernism but there are many who are more traditional.
Cheers Lucius
Ginnie,
Happy to here your interested in green building. As everyone confirmed, green building can be more expensive to build. However, look at the cost savings over the life of the building and you'll find that green building can actually save you money (this will depend on your REI strategies - i.e how long you plan to hold on to the property). MichaelChandler stated a 20% increase in cost for green building and has a client saving nearly 50% in some of the utilities over a previous home - you can see over time how these savings will offset the upfront costs of green building.
A good resource for green building strategies and technologies can by found at www.usgbc.org. The US Green Building Council has established a guideline for defining green buildings with and emphasis on state of the art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
(I hope I don't sound like an advertisement - just want to point you to an excellent resource).
I would also use the green building principles as a marketing differentiator. Up sell it to those folks who want to be environmentally friendly.
Three cheers for Lucius for being a steward of the environment.
[addsig]
Thank you Bryan! I'm a convert when it comes to green building for myself, my next house will definitely be green! I do need to learn more about it and would love to find a profitable way to use it and incorporate it into making a living. I"ll check out your link, it sounds great!
Ginnie
Excellent Thread!......keep it coming if anybody has anymore.
There are some good Green custom builders in the Atlanta area and they market it.
Much of what I have seem them use, beyond the steel studs, is the composite exterior materials. Concrete/composite siding that looks like wood, and plastic decking and moldings, plus high effeciency windows.
The thing I like about the plastic moldings is that many are flexible, so your architect can add curves to the walls and the modlings just bend to it. Saves tons of carpenter time. And for us in the south, these products are insect-resistant, so less chance of termites and other bad bugs.
Good luck
Peter
See http://domeliving.com/ for info on Monolithic Dome Residence Inns.
Monolithic Domes are made from an airform, foam, rebar and shotcrete. The patent holder of the process is putting up these Inns for low cost housing in Texas. Big potential with these.
5 star energy rating. (Low on fire insurance too!)
This site has copies of his lender proposals, etc. Lots of info.
See the main Monolithic dome website at http://monolithic.com