[Greenbuilding] asking for advice

[Ted Inoue]

Wayne,

The economics may depend quite a bit on where you are located as that will
determine building costs and selling income. Where are you located?
Are you a developer or is this a first time effort at building a spec house?
The list's answers will vary greatly depending on your level of experience.
Do you already have the property, or are you in the process of selecting
that? That too makes a big difference.
It would also be useful to know more of your constraints, so as to help
shape the project. You've clearly got some flexibility if you're considering
SIPs. What about other building materials, siding, roofing, etc.?
What about "must haves"? Are you set on a specific type of heating/cooling
system? Does the home have to be a typical new construction, set in the
middle of a vacant lot or do you have the option of building partially into
a south-facing hillside, having a walk-out basement, etc.?

How much cost can you pass on to the buyer? Do you feel the market will
offer a premium if you build a LEED certified home? Of is it good enough
just to market it as a "Green" home (i.e. saving you the rigamarole of going
through the LEED process).

Good luck. Hope you get lots of good guidance.

On 2/25/07, Wayne Mueller <wayne at mueller1.com> wrote:
>
> Hello green builders,
>
> This is my first posting and I am looking for some advice about building
> an
> energy efficient home.
>
> Since this would be my first project, I would start out conservatively.
> This may be a spec house and loosing money would be a disaster for me.  I
> don't have to make a lot of money, but I really need to avoid loosing
> money
> on the deal.
>
> The house would be a 2 story 4 bedroom colonial probably 32 x 36.  I
> believe
> this is within the LEED-H limit for a 4 bedroom design.
>
> I am considering the use of SIP's, either 8 inch or 10 inch thick. Is this
> a
> good idea from a leakage (overall insulation) standpoint?  The SIP
> manufacturer around here can design the outer shell, manufacture it and
> assemble it for me on site, which would seem to be very practical.  What
> are
> your experiences with SIP's regarding longevity, weather sealing, cost,
> etc.?
>
> Any suggestions on things that are definite must haves and items I should
> stay away from would be most appreciated. I have a hundred other questions
> but I will stop here for now.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Wayne
>
>
>
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