Green Building Questions to Ask Your San Luis Obispo General Contractor

Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling your old one, you probably have questions about sustainability and green building. Your general contractor should be able to answer all of your questions and help you make the best decisions for a greener remodeling project. If you know you want to build more sustainably but aren’t sure about what you can do toward a greener project, these are a few of the questions you should ask your San Luis Obispo general contractor.

What Eco-Friendly Building Materials Do You Use?

Many building materials on the market today are recycled or sourced using greener methods. Ask your contractor specifically which eco-friendly building materials he recommends and why.

Will You Use Non-Toxic Materials for Painting, Sealing and Other Purposes?

Many products on the market use ingredients that are toxic, but there are always non-toxic alternatives. For healthy buildings, request that the general contractor only use low VOC paints, flooring and other materials, and that all insulation used in your project be free of formaldehyde.

How Much More Will It Cost to Deconstruct Rather than Demolish?

Anyone who watches home DIY shows knows that demolition is fun. Smashing hammers into doors and breaking apart walls may get the job done more quickly, but a careful deconstruction offers some major benefits to the environment. Ask your Los Osos or Morro Bay general contractor about deconstructing rather than demolishing. Deconstruction can be especially profitable for a San Luis Obispo bathroom remodel or kitchen remodel – removed cabinets, fixtures and even doors and windows can be resold on the salvage market instead of thrown into landfills. It takes more time, but you may find a San Luis Obispo or Los Osos general contractor who will keep the costs low in return for the right to sell the salvage.

What Can We Reuse or Reclaim?

The flip side of deconstruction is using reclaimed and reused materials. When you work with a general contractor who is willing to reuse materials or choose second-hand and reclaimed materials for your Los Osos kitchen remodel or your Morro Bay bath remodel, you’re doing double duty toward saving the environment. Not only will you be keeping old materials out of the landfill, you’ll be reducing the use of new non-renewable resources in your building project.

There are other ways that your San Luis Obispo general contractor can help preserve the environment while still delivering a beautiful, professional project. They range from sourcing building materials from local manufacturers to recycling as much of the waste from your kitchen or bath remodel as possible. When deciding which general contractor should handle your remodeling or home building job, take the time to ask questions about sustainability and green building and make it part of your criteria to choose the best San Luis Obispo general contractor.