GIVE YOURSELF THE "GREEN PRODUCT TEST" BY ASKING THE WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHY AND HOW QUESTIONS.

GIVE YOURSELF THE "GREEN PRODUCT TEST" BY ASKING THE 

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHY AND HOW QUESTIONS. 

1. What recycled or recyclable materials are used?
2. How does it improve air quality?
3. Why does it reduce water consumption?
4. Where it is sustainably harvested?
5. Who causes it to reduce fuel consumption (Carbon Footprint) the manufacture, the delivery, the installation and or the use?

Evaluate your product selection by these basic principles? Air quality, recycled, reduces consumption, sustainable and carbon footprint. Just use common sense and judgment because green building really is an old-trident approach to building like low maintenance to heat and cool, non-toxic products. The now rating agencies are just verification systems as evidence in the learning process. It is like comparing square footage to square footage and forgetting about the difference in quality of one to the other.

 To estimate your project, go to www.EstimateConstructionCostFirst.com and run your numbers . . . it’s FREE! 

Planning to Remodel?

The Design / Build Advantage

Creativity in Living, Inc. (dba Top Notch) use of the design/build model is a key factor in the company's landing of custom projects. Because of the clients' frequent travels and busy work schedules, they want one contract for all of their issues. Concerns working with an architect are there would be something lost in the translation when design goes out to bid or that some static might occur between what they wanted to achieve aesthetically and the production of construction.

At Top notch, the design/build model also includes preliminary cost breakdown, interior design and space planning so every design decision is made with knowledge of the realities of construction. It also allows the clients and designers to tweak designs throughout the process while working with the production team.

A lot of times, as a designer, you have to be on the site and read the client and their temperament and translate what they are telling you into reality. That is a lot easier when everybody is part of the same company. There is a lot of cost savings when the designer has decades of experience with structural engineering and methods of construction plus in-field knowledge prior to beginning the design process. Not to mention the experience and knowledge with green design and scape design.

Finally, there is no finger pointing at the architect, contractor, interior designer or landscape designer. Just one person, one source, handling each and every aspect of the construction puzzle.

Go to www.EstimateConstructionCostFirst.com to start your planning.