Sample SEO Content Marketing Article for a Green Building Contractor

The following article was commissioned to promote an expert residential custom building contractor using content marketing.   The article is based on a phone interview with the company’s President. Keywords based on ‘green remodeling’ were used. You can see this article live here at EzineArticles.com.

How to Hire a Green Remodeling Contractor: 3 Insider Tips – Save Money, Energy and Get What You Want

Rising energy costs and a slow residential resale market throughout most of the United States make green remodeling a better option for most people than buying a new home. But simply hiring a remodeling contractor to install green building materials and energy-saving appliances does not guarantee that your new kitchen or master suite will be energy-efficient and eco-friendly. There are at least 3 topics you and your green contractor should discuss in order to realize energy savings and create the lifestyle you desire.

Are your expectations realistic?

Homeowners often face sticker shock at the cost of remodeling. For example, in Hawaii, where the cost of materials is higher because of shipping and taxes, a simple kitchen remodel that includes replacing cabinets and counter tops, and installing high-end appliances can easily cost more than $40,000 just for materials.

Sustainable materials can also cost more than their standard counterparts. For example, things like concrete countertops, LED lighting, reclaimed wood flooring, heat-reflective exterior coatings and closed-cell spray foam insulation (SPF) have higher upfront costs associated with them, but represent good value when long-term savings and life-cycle analysis is taken into consideration.

But if your budget is lower than the cost of your initial dream design, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t remodel the kitchen. If you’re willing to be flexible, a good contractor and a skilled designer should be able to discuss your priorities with you and present you with affordable options to suit your lifestyle.

Are green building options affordable?

Take a practical approach. First ask what makes sense for your particular family and the way you live. For example, lower cost options to decrease air conditioning expense could include installing energy-efficient windows, maximizing cross ventilation or replacing a dark-colored roof that absorbs heat with a cooler white roof that reflects heat.

A higher cost option would be installing a full solar photovoltaic electric system that makes your home energy independent. Although the initial cost is high, you’ll see immediate savings in your monthly energy bills, the payback period can be as short as 7-8 years, and you’ll save tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the system.

A knowledgeable green remodeling contractor can recommend designs that maximize energy efficiency and minimize expenses based on your lifestyle and budget.

Are you using a negotiated contract process?

Forget about the traditional method of making your choice based on comparing 3 different bids based on generic specs the contractors create. It’s too easy to get burned by contractors who leave out crucial construction details and bid low just to get the job. They add in the real costs after they tear out the old kitchen — when it’s too late for the homeowners to change contractors.

Using a negotiated contract is a much better process for both homeowners and contractors.

• Choose 2 or 3 contractors based on experience, reputation and personality (since you’ll be spending a lot of time together).
• Then check with the Better Business Bureau, talk with former clients, visit some completed projects and assess how well you and the contractors communicate.
• Present your budget and a description of the work you’d like completed to the contractors that meet with your approval, and ask them to submit references for projects with similar budgets and scopes of work.
• Call on these references and ask about work quality, service (professionalism/responsiveness), payment schedules, warranties…and whether or not they’d hire the same contractor again.
• You can then negotiate design features, materials and costs so that the exact scope of the project is clear.
• At that point, you can make an informed choice, and it’s a win-win scenario.

The final objective is to work with a green remodeling contractor who considers your family’s lifestyle, goals and budget during the design process, and who has the experience and skills to make your vision real. Make sure you include these 3 topics in your selection process, and you’ll be off to a good start.

Graham Builders of Honolulu, Hawaii, are experts in green remodeling. Evan Fujimoto, President, holds a Certified Green Professional designation from the National Association of Home Builders and has designed two Parade of Home winning entries.

Homeowners in Hawaii can attend Graham Builders’ ” Building Your Home For Life “ monthly seminars. Seminars are free, but reservations are required. For a full schedule of seminars or to register, visit http://www.Grahambuilders.com or call (808) 593-2808.