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However, most people don’t realize that the opportunity to live in an earth-friendly home begins before the day the builder even breaks ground. It’s becoming increasingly popular for builders to minimize and recycle jobsite waste during the building process. Furthermore, builders are trying to use building products made partially or completely from recycled materials. Whether you call it environmentally friendly, green or ecological, the interest is growing to build new homes with Mother Earth in mind. Choosing the right building materials can make your home more environmentally friendly and economical to maintain.
If you are in the market for having a new house built, you easily can limit the toll your building project takes on the environment with a few conscious thoughts. Start by carefully selecting your building materials. Products made partially or completely from recycled products are now available, and they can be used in the foundation, the framing, the rafters and more. Following are some examples of products that are now recycled and used in the home.
It’s important to pay close attention to the price of some of these products. Sometimes the cost of these materials can be significantly higher than their nonenvironmentally friendly counterparts. Do your research beforehand and choose the right building materials without adding to the cost of construction.
In addition to “green” building products, another important consideration is waste disposal. Reducing waste at the jobsite benefits the environment. The materials used and wasted during construction and demolition account for an estimated 28 percent of municipal solid waste. Waste disposal also can account for a significant portion of building fees. By simply reducing and recycling jobsite waste you can save an outstanding amount of money.
Home Warranties
As with any product, your home should come with a warranty. A warranty will prevent any unpleasant surprises in the first years after you move in. When having your home built, in a development or on your own land, you will need to be familiar with builders’ warranties. Other warranties associated with a new home include contractors’ warranties, manufacturers’ warranties and third-party insurance coverage to back the builders’ warranties. The following information from Custom Home Key focuses on builders’ warranties.
— What’s Covered and for How Long?
As with any product, your home should come with a warranty. A warranty will prevent any unpleasant surprises in the first years after you move in. When having your home built, in a development or on your own land, you will need to be familiar with builders’ warranties. Other warranties associated with a new home include contractors’ warranties, manufacturers’ warranties and third-party insurance coverage to back the builders’ warranties. The following information from Custom Home Key focuses on builders’ warranties.
— What Is and Isn’t Covered?
Generally, builders’ warranties will cover things, such as workmanship, materials and structural defects. When having a home built, the warranty will take effect either when you close the sale or when you move into the home. The majority of builders’ warranties cover workmanship and materials for one year; however, some builders offer warranties for two years or longer. Structural defects, such as uneven floors and cracks in the foundation, usually are covered for up to 10 years.
Choosing a reputable builder will make your warranty period a much more pleasant experience. Even the most skillful builder will make some mistakes during the construction of your home, but a reputable builder will be sure to fix any problems that are covered by the warranty while your warranty is still in effect. If you are experiencing minor defects, your builder probably will address them at scheduled times.
In addition, most manufacturers provide a warranty for the products or appliances used in new homes. At the time of closing, you will receive these warranties and owners manuals.
— Warranty Claims
When problems arise, your builder may prefer that you call him or her so that specific needs can be addressed. However, in some cases, your builder will give you a list of contractors and their telephone numbers to call directly in case of an emergency.
If you are in the market for having a new house built, you easily can limit the toll your building project takes on the environment with a few conscious thoughts. Start by carefully selecting your building materials. Products made partially or completely from recycled products are now available, and they can be used in the foundation, the framing, the rafters and more. Following are some examples of products that are now recycled and used in the home.
- Ceramic tile is being made from old light bulbs.
- Carpeting is being made from recycled soda bottles and sheep’s wool.
- Interior wallboard is being made from newspaper and gypsum.
- Recycled concrete is used for drywall.
- Newspaper and reclaimed cotton are being used to make insulation.
- Decking materials can include recycled milk cartons.
- Low-density concrete can be recycled and used for insulation.
- Paint is being made from old paint.
- Shake shingles are being made from aluminum cans and nails from melted-down cars.
- Fly ash from burned coal can be used to make concrete.
- Bricks can be made of tightly compacted earth, clay and straw.
- Linoleum is a natural flooring covering material made up of linseed oil, resins and wood flour.
- Steel is 100-percent recyclable and an extremely durable building material.
It’s important to pay close attention to the price of some of these products. Sometimes the cost of these materials can be significantly higher than their nonenvironmentally friendly counterparts. Do your research beforehand and choose the right building materials without adding to the cost of construction.
In addition to “green” building products, another important consideration is waste disposal. Reducing waste at the jobsite benefits the environment. The materials used and wasted during construction and demolition account for an estimated 28 percent of municipal solid waste. Waste disposal also can account for a significant portion of building fees. By simply reducing and recycling jobsite waste you can save an outstanding amount of money.
Home Warranties
As with any product, your home should come with a warranty. A warranty will prevent any unpleasant surprises in the first years after you move in. When having your home built, in a development or on your own land, you will need to be familiar with builders’ warranties. Other warranties associated with a new home include contractors’ warranties, manufacturers’ warranties and third-party insurance coverage to back the builders’ warranties. The following information from Custom Home Key focuses on builders’ warranties.
— What’s Covered and for How Long?
As with any product, your home should come with a warranty. A warranty will prevent any unpleasant surprises in the first years after you move in. When having your home built, in a development or on your own land, you will need to be familiar with builders’ warranties. Other warranties associated with a new home include contractors’ warranties, manufacturers’ warranties and third-party insurance coverage to back the builders’ warranties. The following information from Custom Home Key focuses on builders’ warranties.
— What Is and Isn’t Covered?
Generally, builders’ warranties will cover things, such as workmanship, materials and structural defects. When having a home built, the warranty will take effect either when you close the sale or when you move into the home. The majority of builders’ warranties cover workmanship and materials for one year; however, some builders offer warranties for two years or longer. Structural defects, such as uneven floors and cracks in the foundation, usually are covered for up to 10 years.
Choosing a reputable builder will make your warranty period a much more pleasant experience. Even the most skillful builder will make some mistakes during the construction of your home, but a reputable builder will be sure to fix any problems that are covered by the warranty while your warranty is still in effect. If you are experiencing minor defects, your builder probably will address them at scheduled times.
In addition, most manufacturers provide a warranty for the products or appliances used in new homes. At the time of closing, you will receive these warranties and owners manuals.
— Warranty Claims
When problems arise, your builder may prefer that you call him or her so that specific needs can be addressed. However, in some cases, your builder will give you a list of contractors and their telephone numbers to call directly in case of an emergency.
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