Green is changing the way we build.

Green building is having a huge effect on the way we build homes in South Carolina. Smarter home buyers are realizing that homes with energy saving features built in can save them tremendous amounts of operating and maintenance costs later on. Builders are realizing that buyers are really beginning to value superior construction again. I guess it took a little time, but savvy buyers are learning that all homes are not created equally, and builders are learning that better built homes do sell better than their energy inefficient counterparts. I am seeing this trend more often in the upper end market where I'm doing most of my work. Buyers have always looked for quality and have been willing to spend what it takes to get there. It the past, all you could buy was better trim, counter tops, cabinets and finishes. Nobody had the knowledge or the tools to measure the energy efficiency of a homes construction. We just did what the code said to do, and figured that was good enough. Now things are different. Programs such as Energy Star, LEED, and NAHB Green have taught builders and designers how to assemble the parts better resulting in energy savings sometimes as great as 50% lower power bills. That's really great considering that most of the time we're using the same materials and paying the same installation costs that we were before, we're just doing a better job at quality control, and getting a vastly superior performing home for about the same cost as before. The better builders are recognizing that attention to detail doesn't necessarily drive up the cost, but yields a vastly superior product. The buyers are agreeing with their pocketbooks. Smart home buyers are opting for the better built and performing product. How do you get in on the action? When you are looking for a builder, look for a builder who has experience in "green". He has the extra knowledge and training to build a home that performs to a higher standard.