If you are planning a major home improvement project, whether that means extending your property or taking part of it down, you are going to be taking a lot of deep breaths. It is a very different proposition to, say, deciding to put a new oven in the kitchen or finally getting around to getting someone in to fix the tiles on your roof. This is a process that can take a long time and cost a lot of money, and you are going to be hoping that the people that you hire can deliver on what they promise.
In addition, the expense that you are going to be worried about (which is certainly a major concern for a lot of people at the moment given that prices seem to be going up and up), you will need to think about how you can make sure the environmental impact of your project stays as low as possible. There have been so many alarming stories about climate change over the last couple of years, and it is clearer than ever that everyone needs to take responsibility when it comes to their carbon footprint. If you are planning a major project on your property this year, here are a few ways that you can keep a careful eye on your budget and what you are doing to the area around you.
Look At Your Materials Carefully
Let’s start by thinking about the materials that you are going to be using on your project. Now, there may not always be as much choice as you would like there to be, but one of the best ways that you can keep your carbon footprint down when working on a home improvement or renovation project is by using recycled or recyclable materials. There is always going to be the impulse to buy brand new, especially when it is your home that you are talking about, but the truth is that recycled materials are just as good and will go a long way towards keeping your environmental impact low. It is also worth noting that recycled materials can be cheaper than buying new ones, which is well worth considering if your budget is starting to get out of control.
Talk To Your Contractors
There are a lot of different contractors out there, and most of them will have their preferred way of doing things. It always makes sense from a budget perspective to do your research and get a few different quotes before you commit to anything. Remember that if a price seems too good to be true, it probably is, so look for reviews from previous clients as well. There are plenty of comparisons and review sites that can help you make the most informed decision. And one of the most important things that you should talk to contractors about is what steps they are taking to stay as green as they can. Some contractors will emphasise the use of recycled materials as listed above, or they may use hybrid or electric vehicles to offset some of the inevitable carbon creation of their work, and these cars are more and more available. Contractors may also have ideas that you had not thought about yet. If they are dismissive of the idea or simply do not have an answer, then you may want to think about looking elsewhere.
Don’t Forget The Trees
This point is particularly important if you are extending your property or thinking about tearing down an old building that is on your grounds. Any time you make major changes, there will be an effect on the environment surrounding it. Depending on where you are, you may need to conduct a number of different environmental surveys to make sure that you are not doing any major damage and look for ways that you can not only preserve but improve the area that you are working on. Trees are one of the most important, if your work is going to affect the trees in your area, then you will need to have a tree survey done. A good tree survey company will be able to give you a wealth of information about the trees on your property, including their life expectancy, and they will help you to make an informed decision about what your next step should be. To learn more about how tree surveys work and why you need one, talk to the team at Arbtech. They take complete ownership of the surveys to minimise the risk of delay to your project.
Factor In Sustainability For The Future
Sustainability is one of those words that is getting thrown around a lot at the moment, and when it comes to construction, what it boils down to is ensuring that it’s not only the building project that is environmentally friendly but the final property itself. Given how much energy prices have been going up over the last six months or so, it is a good idea to think about what you can do to keep your costs down as well as your carbon footprint in the months ahead. Good insulation will make a massive difference, and that means that you will need to factor it in early in the planning stages. Double glazing is an absolute must, and you could even think about triple glazing if you know that your property is going to be seriously exposed to the elements.
Can You Use Green Energy?
Think about installing solar panels on your roof, too. The government may have gone back and forth on incentives for green energy in your home, but if you have the opportunity to install your own it will be well worth it. Water is another thing that you will need to think about. Could you install low-flow or economical settings for your bathrooms, for example? The more that you think about these things in the planning stages, the less work you will have to do on them in the future. And it is abundantly clear that we are going to see more and more climate issues.
