How to find the right sustainable builder or remodeler

Guest post by Peter Korchnak, who writes the Sustainable Marketing Blog.  All views in the post are the author's alone.

Congratulations, you've made the good decision to do your next construction or remodeling project in a sustainable way. Now you need a contractor to help you achieve your vision. How do you go about it? There are two basic steps in the process: compiling a shortlist of possible companies and selecting the right one from among the alternatives.

How to compile your local sustainable contractor shortlist

•          Ask your friends for recommendations. 

•          Search customer review websites for local sustainable contractors.

•          Browse member lists of your local chamber of commerce, or neighborhood or builders' associations in your area.

How to select your sustainable contractor

Before you make your selection, first determine your main criteria and rate the shortlisted contractors against them. Next, research the contractors on your shortlist. Get as much information as you can both about the contractor and about their customers' satisfaction. Look for answers to these questions about each company.

•          Is the information about each company easy to find? Is it professionally presented? Does it inspire trust? What is the company saying about itself? What is the company's vision, mission, and values? How is it promoting its work and results? What green projects has the company completed? How does the company implement sustainable practices? What organizations is it a member of? Does the company build according to any green building standards or certifications?

•          What do the online reviews say? How are the company's rankings? Most importantly, what are the company's customers saying about their experiences (contractor's professionalism, quality of work)? It's not easy to talk to the actual customers, but it's the most reliable way to get the needed information. What, if any, coverage with third-party views does the company have in the local media?

The task of identifying a sustainable builder is easier in areas where fewer contractors operate, provided there are any. Regardless of the length of your shortlist, hiring the right sustainable contractor for your construction project and remodel entails more than the job itself. You're looking for the right match because you'll also be building a relationship.