Green Building Design and Construction Consulting Services

Sustainable living and building are becoming more important now than ever.  Natural resources are becoming scarce, fossil fuels and their emissions are polluting our environment, and we are running out of places to hide our garbage.  However, there is hope.

Principle-Driven Sustainability

Tree Hugger Consulting’s mission is to foster sustainable building design and construction through education and service.  We believe it is possible to construct and remodel homes and buildings without creating a detrimental effect on the environment, and without depleting our natural resources.

Start Where We Are - Make Better Choices

One person cannot address all the climate issues at once, just as no building can be completely sustainable (having no impact on the environment).  So, we have to start where we are, and make better choices.  Tree Hugger Consulting helps our clients make better choices.  We give our clients ways to make a difference that fit their lifestyle and budget.

First, we discuss with our clients their dreams for their project.  What features do they want (environmentally-friendly or not)?  How big do they want it?  How many bedrooms, bathrooms, etc?  Walk-in closets?  Some of the features may be sustainable, such as solar panels or tankless water heaters, and some may not.  Either way, we want to get as many ideas on the table before we look at sustainability.

Sustainability Starts with Education

Then we start the process of looking at sustainability.  First, we will provide some education on the major areas in design and construction that contribute to climate issues: energy efficiency, building envelope design (includes exterior walls, insulation, air and water barriers, siding, windows, and doors), indoor environmental quality (ventilation, heating and air conditioning, chemicals in building materials and furniture), and site issues (building placement, passive solar design, solar availability, site disturbance).

After we have discussed the major areas that contribute to sustainability, we begin the process of marrying the proposed project features with the environmental issues that are most important for the building owner.  For example, if solar energy creation is not a feature the owner wants to pursue, then we will not be advocating for solar panels on the roof.  This process will create a list of environmentally-friendly features that fit in with the proposed project program.  Now its time to crunch the numbers!

Green Building Is Affordable

Tree Hugger Consulting will take the list of environmental measures and provide a cost/benefit analysis of each of the options.  Costs will include additional design, material, and labor costs, as well as lifetime costs including maintenance and disposal.  Benefits will include potential incentives, tax credits, and rebates, energy savings (if applicable), and environmental impacts.

The owner now has to make decisions, with guidance from us.  Remember that a project does not have to fix the global climate issue by itself.  If all the budget allows is a couple of measures, that is a step in the right direction.  Many of the measures will not create any additional costs, but they may make a big environmental difference.  For example, chemical-free paints, adhesives, and other finishes are readily available at little to no extra cost.  For people with chemical sensitivities, asthma, or other respiratory problems, this is an easy decision to make.

Quality Assurance

We follow your project from concept to completion, making sure that all your hard work is implemented and recognized.  We confirm that the correct materials are installed in the proper manner, and verify that all requirements for green building incentives are met, as applicable.  Once we have confirmed the requirements, we will take care of the paperwork for you, except the signatures.  You just sit back and enjoy your new green project!!

More Information

If you would like more detailed information on our services, specific products, have a project in mind, or just want to ask a question, please contact us.