September Topics and Key Point
Planning Your Green Remodel
September 22, 2005
(Click on the panelist's names to jump to their key points below.)
The panel included:
green builder Dave Heslam of Coho Construction
designer Eric Storm of Living Spaces, a realtor David Todd of Roots Realty, and a homeowner Katie Davenport who has done an extensive green remodeling project.
Afterward people broke into small groups to ask questions and talk with one another. Along with the panelists other people lead discussions, including a green remodeling contractor, an energy consultant, a Feng Shui consultant, a mortgage lender, and the sustainability coordinator for PCC talking about classes they offer.
Key Points
Here's what our panelists think people should know about Planning Your Green Remodel.
Homeowner
Katherine Davenport, 503-288-3340, katied@spiritone.com
http://www.spiritone.com/~katied/remodel/ (This site has a very complete journal of her remodel.)
1. Don't begin with the solution. Begin by defining the problem or task and then explore the possible solutions that fit your requirements.
2. For anything non-standard, the more input you get, from as diversified a knowledge base as you can assemble, the better chance you will have for success. Be discriminating, because a lot of the information out there is unsubstantiated and/or conflicting, but don't filter at the beginning -- gather.
3. Know clearly before you start where you are not willing to compromise, where you are, and how far. Be realistic and include buget limits and/or deadlines.
4. Understand yourself and the way you work and find an architect and/or contractor whose work style is compatible with yours. In the best scenario, everyone's strengths and weaknesses will balance into effectiveness.
5. Stay flexible. Things will go wrong, or fall through, or turn out not to be what you expected. Don't be so wedded to your original idea that you miss seeing a perfectly acceptable alternate solution. In fact, whenever possible, outline your alternatives ahead of time or as early in the process as is practical.
Realtor
David Todd, Roots Realty, http://rootsrealty.com/
503-267-4197, david@rootsrealty.com
1. Clarify the reasons for your investment in a green remodel and the returns you expect. Do your reasons for remodeling green have to do with aesthetics, values, your needs, health concerns, your pocket book, etc.? What are the returns you expect: moral satisfaction, improved well being, less costly energy and water bills, increased resale value, etc.? Check
your financial expectations with a real estate agent.
2. Know the Return on Investment (ROI) on different remodeling activities. How will your project affect your property's value? After estimating the ROI, figure out how long it will take for your home's value to appreciate enough to cover any premiums paid for green building.
3. As a homeowner you are in a position of stewardship. How long are you planning to be in your home? What improvements will strengthen your neighborhood and make your home sound, beautiful and useful for you and others long into the future?
Designer
Eric Storm, Living Spaces, www.livingspacesdesign.biz
503-248-4554, eric@livingspacesdesign.biz
1. Keep it simple. Every room, material, and detail you add to your project will increase the cost, time, and the potential for problems. Challenge yourself to be ultra-efficient with space, money, materials, and natural resources like energy and water. One of the best ways to do this is to keep it small. A well designed space can serve multiple needs and can function and feel bigger than it is.
2. Design for the long-term. Many kitchens and homes are remodeled after only ten years, wasting a lot of material, energy and money. Use classic designs that you or others won't be tempted to change too soon. Use materials that are durable, easy to maintain, and recyclable. Your designs should be flexible to accommodate changing needs over time.
3. Take the time to design, optimizing function, beauty, affordability and sustainability. Time and attention invested during the design phase is well worth it. It's much cheaper and easier to change things on paper than during (or after!) construction. Your design should start with the functions required of the space and then incorporate the other aspects. Many designs suffer from focusing on one aspect to the lack of others.
Residential General Contractor
David Heslam, Coho Construction Services, www.cohocs.com (site in progress)
503-233-4197
1. Make goals, priorities and preferences clear to the designer from day one, including the items that are non-negotiable for you as the homeowner. Examples of this could be floor materials, door styles, natural paint, or, as one customer required, the integration of glass cockroaches into their countertop.
2. Create a team early (designer and contractor) and share your goals with all parties. The contractor may have significant ideas that will affect the design process. A green remodeler may know about salvage materials that are currently available. But these could only be used if they are integrated into the design form the early stages. An example would be the use of salvaged cabinetry in a kitchen remodel.
3. Be patient with the design and pre-construction period. The more materials, fixtures, appliances and the rest that are in hand at start-up, the smoother the construction process will be. This approach also allows more time to find salvage building products.