6 Tips for Making Your Remodel More Sustainable

Whether you’re remodeling or building from scratch, it’s a great opportunity to make your home more sustainable (environmentally friendly). From finding local materials to designing easy-to-clean spaces with an eye to the future, here are six expert insights you need to know if you’re eager to go green.

making your home more sustainable

Kipnis Architecture + Planning

1. Look Beyond Price

If you’re building or renovating on a budget, it can be tempting to go for the cheapest products and materials. But this can often be a false economy, leading to unnecessary waste, says Nathalie Scipioni, architect, and director at Nathalie Scipioni Architects.

“Renovators often focus on the price of products and materials, finding it more affordable to source them overseas. But many cheap, overseas products are very often not of the same quality [as the more expensive, local equivalents] and end up breaking down faster and more often. This can result in repair costs, replacements, and waste. As such, it is always best to prioritize durability and quality over price,” Scipioni says.

making your home more sustainable

Rodwin Architecture & Skycastle Homes

2. Pick the Right Architect or Building Designer

It may seem obvious, but if a sustainable build or renovation is your focus, it’s important to work with an architect or building designer who specializes in this area. “Choose a designer who understands passive solar design principles — good design saves energy and materials and will make your home more functional, comfortable, and beautiful,” says Rhiannon Hayward-Steers, architect at Hindley & Co.

Tri-Lite Builders is a NARI Green Certified Professional. As one of the only Design/Build Certified Green Remodelers in Phoenix, we start each project with a design phase. During this time we do a detailed feasibility study of your kitchen, bathroom, or home remodel in order to make the appropriate choices for making your home more sustainable and to fit your budget. We will help you plan your green remodeling project and get it off the drawing board into a working green kitchen, bathroom or home remodel.

making your home more sustainable

Fete Nature Architecture

3. Use Sustainable and Recycled Materials

When you’re building or renovating your dream home, don’t get caught up in the idea of having the newest and shiniest products. Materials such as recycled wood are not only an environmentally sound choice, but they can add real character to spots such as countertops, floors, and walls. “Recycled bricks and roof tiles are other products you might consider using,” says Kirsten Johnstone, director at Kirsten Johnstone Architecture.

When it comes to wood, seek out species that are responsibly sourced. “Renewable plantation timber, preferably locally sourced, is the most sustainable building material because it can be regrown and the plantations store carbon,” says Anne Hindley, architect, and director at Hindley & Co.

making your home more sustainable

Southend Reclaimed

How do you know if the products you’re choosing are making your home more sustainable? Look for industry-recognized certification, Johnstone says. For example:

  • Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) provides a certification process for environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically responsible forest management for timber products.
  • Global GreenTag provides certification for many products and is recognized in over 70 countries. It is compliant with numerous ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards, providing internationally accepted quality-management standards.

making your home more sustainable

Erika Altenhofen, CKBD – Neil Kelly Co.

4. Ask More Questions for Making Your Home More Sustainable

“Designing sustainably is not just about the initial choices you make. It also includes asking deeper questions, such as, ‘How is the product manufactured? Who made it — was it produced in the equivalent of a sweatshop and shipped from overseas? When and where should this product be used?’” Johnstone says.

making your home more sustainable

Young & Borlik Architects

5. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Technology

Hayward-Steers recommends reducing your reliance on the grid (and seeing your energy bills tumble) by specifying energy-saving heating and cooling technology. “Think solar panels, high-efficiency heat pumps, and geothermal heating and cooling,” she says.

And when you are shopping for major appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, and washing machines, seek out energy-efficient styles that consume less water and power.

making your home more sustainable

Green Hammer

6. Make It Easy to Clean

Create a healthier interior by choosing finishes that can be easily cleaned without toxic chemicals, including tiles and wood floorboards, and appliances that can be wiped down easily, Scipioni says.

In the kitchen, she says, consider:

  • Matte and semi-gloss kitchen cabinetry finishes reduce the visibility of fingerprints and stains.
  • Nonporous stone or glass backsplashes and countertops — they are durable, extremely hygienic, and simple to clean.
    • Create as much storage as possible to keep countertops clutter-free and easy to wipe down.
    • Incorporating an appliance cabinet where you can store and easily access frequently used appliances such as the microwave, coffee maker, and food processor.
    • Give your healthy cleaning routine a further boost by choosing eco-conscious cleaning supplies that keep your home sparkling without the nasty chemicals.

making your home more sustainable

Tali Hardonag Architect

In the bathroom, consider:

  • Wall-hung vanities and toilets that are easy to clean underneath.
  • A back-to-wall bath rather than a freestanding style if your bathroom is small — there are fewer hard-to-reach spots to scrub with toxic cleaning agents.
  • Large-format tiles with fewer grout lines to clean.
  • Recessed or semi-recessed sinks; the joint between the sink and countertop is minimized, allowing a long-lasting and easy-to-clean fixture.

Keep researching and reading, you’ll find there is a wealth of information and questions to ask so that you can make your build or remodel more sustainable.

Blog is written by Georgia Madden, Senior Writer, Houzz  

For another informative blog on how to sustainably remodel your home, follow this link!

Premier Home Remodeling in the Greater Phoenix Area

For high-end home design, build, and remodeling in the greater Phoenix area that reflects your vision, Tri-Lite Builders will help you love your home again. Start your project by calling us at (480) 895-3442 or emailing [email protected] to discuss your remodeling project. We offer no-obligation in-home consultation. Our NARI-certified award-winning designers and craftsmen are eager to work with you to make your vision for your home a reality!  See our portfolio here.

 

How to Work With an Interior Designer

When most people think about hiring an interior designer, they zero in on aesthetics: wall colors, window treatments, and pillow patterns. But that’s just scratching the surface of what a designer can add to a home. These pros go beyond cosmetic concerns to ensure that a space feels harmonious through and through, from its floor plan and architectural envelope to the last nailhead, tassel, and tuft. Many states have a certification process for interior designers.

What Does an Interior Designer Do?

A designer envisions, plans, and outfits spaces in a way that makes them both beautiful and functional. He or she balances aesthetic considerations with structural planning to reflect each client’s lifestyle, set the desired mood, complement the home’s architectural features and ensure that less glamorous details (such as electrical outlets and air vents) fit into the scheme. An interior designer also cultivates relationships with trusted contractors, artisans, vendors, and others who execute the design.

You may have a clear vision for your home, but an interior designer can help you bring it to life while making sure it satisfies nitty-gritty considerations such as space planning and functionality. A trained eye and a creative mindset allow for devising solutions that you might never have imagined, and attention to the tiniest details will transform your space into a haven that looks polished and pulled together.

Hiring an Interior Designer

Studio Dearborn

8 Tips for Working with an Interior Designer

1. Be sure the designer is a good match for your style. No two clients are alike, and good interior designers are nimble enough to hop from urban pied-à-terre to rustic farmhouse to beachside getaway without missing a beat.

Most do have a fundamental aesthetic that remains consistent throughout their work. When interviewing designers, ask them about their design approach, and look for parallels between their previous work and the design you want. Above all, look for someone you feel comfortable communicating with.

Hiring an Interior Designer

Finch London

2. Collect samples. Even if you have trouble articulating your desired look, pictures of rooms you love can instantly give the designer a sense of what you crave. He or she will ask you about specific points of the design that resonate with you and use those as guidelines. Fabric swatches, paint chips, furniture catalogs, and your own Houzz ideabooks are other good sources for showing items you like. On the flip side, pull examples of colors, motifs, and furniture styles that turn you off, which can be equally helpful.

Hiring an Interior Designer

Leah Ward Interiors

3. Decide in advance which pieces must stay. Not willing to get rid of your Biedermeier sideboard or your Majolica collection? The process will go more smoothly if you share that information with your designer during the initial site visit and consultation. That way, he or she can plan around the items that you don’t want to give up.

4. Involve the designer as early as possible in the building process. If you’re remodeling or building from scratch, include the designer in the planning stages with your architect, building designer, and contractor. This way, the pros involved will all be on the same page and can iron out any potential discrepancies — particularly those that involve the bones of a home, such as doorways, ceiling beams, or interior columns. It’s one thing to reorient a window on paper; it’s another entirely to move it after installation.

5. Try to have key household members present at the outset. Having all the adults’ input from the get-go helps to avoid potential conflicts down the road. If a spouse or loved one objects to a certain color or reveals that he or she just can’t part with Grandmother’s antique dining table, it’s easiest to work out those issues right away.

6. Ask the designer to clarify billing procedures. Find out at the beginning when you’ll be charged and what for. In addition to the design itself, you may be billed for travel time, site visits, shopping, phone conversations, and more. Also, ask how you’ll be billed for furnishings, accents, materials, or other items. This way, you’ll be able to anticipate fairly closely what and when to pay.

Hiring an Interior Designer

Christina Byers Design

7. Keep an open mind. It’s a rare client who loves 100 percent of a designer’s suggestions right off the bat. Your designer might recommend a piece of furniture or a wallpaper pattern you’re iffy about but don’t say no without giving the idea some time to sink in. Chances are that when you ask your designer why he or she chose it, and when you take a little time to live with it, you’ll appreciate the reason it works.

8. Look toward refreshing down the road. Even the best design doesn’t stay current forever. Ask your designer if tune-up visits in the future are an option, whether they involve simply swapping out a few accessories, reupholstering the furniture, or choosing new paint colors.

Blog written by Lisa Frederick, Houzz Contributor.

Premier Home Remodeling in the Greater Phoenix Area

For high-end home design, build, and remodeling in the greater Phoenix area that reflects your vision, Tri-Lite Builders will help you love your home again. Start your project by calling us at (480) 895-3442 or emailing [email protected] to discuss your remodeling project. We offer no-obligation in-home consultation. Our NARI-certified award-winning designers and craftsmen are eager to work with you to make your vision for your home a reality!  See our portfolio here.

A Letter to Your Clients: 10 Ways to be a World-Class Client

By Mark Richardson, Pro-Remodelers (June 16, 2022)

While I have spent most of my last 10 years as an author and advisor to remodeling business owners, I spent the prior 30 years creating joy in the life of homeowners through remodeling homes.  This column is a letter to your clients (and a guide to you) on how they can be a world-class client and, as a result, smile when their project is complete.

After all, what homeowner doesn’t want to be perceived as a great client? Who would not like to be the poster child client? Who would not like to have a remodeler for life because the experience of working together was wonderful?

Here are 10 ways to be a world-class client:

  1. Communicate

Nine times out of 10, issues in the remodeling experience come from miscommunication. Remodeling can be very confusing and counterintuitive. Ask a lot of questions (there are no stupid ones).

  1. Try to get aligned with your partner or spouse on the priorities

The remodeler should be the remodeling expert and authority, not the marriage counselor.

  1. If you are high-tech, then try to communicate/interact with technologies

Most remodelers like technology and appreciate that. If you are more high touch, ensure the remodeler understands that and finds a way to accommodate your wishes.

  1. Allow the remodeler to control the process

You would not go to a doctor’s visit and dictate the steps of the examination. Weekly meetings are a must (not optional). Make these meetings a priority (like going to church). There needs to be an agenda. Let the remodeler facilitate, but make sure you are proactive and engaged.

  1. Do your homework

Homework is not punitive—it is essential to keep the project on track. Make it a priority. Excuses don’t help the project be successful.

  1. Pay on time and when asked

Your remodeler needs to focus on the project and the experience, not cash flow or being a collection agency. The net profit margins in remodeling businesses are generally between 5 and 10%, so try not to nickel-and-dime them.

  1. Try to be mutually transparent

When asked how much you would like to invest in something, you must answer honestly so the remodeler can be a better house doctor for you.

  1. Say thank you

A personal handwritten note or a simple gift is very much appreciated and savored (but not expected). Feedback is also welcome (but don’t overdo it). It is your job to be a great client, not a business advisor to the remodeler. Ask the remodeler how they would like to get feedback and try to be respectful to their wishes.

  1. Focus on the memories, not just the sticks and bricks

Many think remodeling is about the project, but it is really more about the experience. The remodeler is there to be your tour guide in this experience, not just the craftsman or project provider.

  1. Don’t become strangers

Remodeling can be an exhausting process, and in the end, you may want some space from the interaction and relationship. It’s understandable, however, don’t become strangers. The dinner party you promised? Do it. The referrals you said you were going to make? Do it. And most importantly, just keep in touch. Put the remodeler on the Christmas card list too.

In closing, I have never met a client that went into the relationship dishonestly or did not want a good relationship. However, more than 50% of the BBB complaints are from remodeling experiences.

This is in large part based on everyone corrupting the above advice. In the homeowner’s defense, they are not remodeling experts. It is the remodeler’s job to guide and counsel them on how to have a world-class experience and be a great client.

From Pro-Remodeler, author Mark Richardson flips the script, offering insights into what makes a good client and ways remodelers can help.

Home Remodeling in the Greater Phoenix Area

For high-end home design, build, and remodeling in the greater Phoenix area that reflects your vision, Homework Remodels will help you love your home again. Start your project by calling us at (480) 895-3442 or email [email protected] to discuss your remodeling project.  We offer no-obligation in-home consultation. Our NARI-certified award-winning designers and craftsman are eager to work with you to make your vision for your home a reality!  See our portfolio here.

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