Looking for GREEN General Contractor, Plumber, Electrician

[Tara Gupta]

Hello all,

I'm looking to do some sustainable remodeling in the Providence area. I want to find a general contractor who specializes in green remodels-diverting waste from the landfill, replacing windows, insulating the attic with scrap textiles or soybean foam. I will need an electrician who can hook up solar and a battery pack, and a plumber who can hook up a rainwater capture system. 

Anyone know someone who might fit the bill?

[Steve McGovern]

@Tara Gupta, if this is an interest of yours, and you're not yet familiar with the USGBC and/or LEED, then you should start there.  First, keep in mind that much of green building starts with green design--  the Contractors simply do the bidding of the design team (which in this case, may or may not be you.)  I'm sure that a local chapter of the USGBC can refer you to a reputable GC/Design team in the area.   

That said, I agree completely with his words, but  I might disagree with the underlying sentiment of @Anthony Dooley.  Caveat that most of my work is in commercial real estate, and therefore the activities of a full overhaul of a new school to be certified LEED Silver or better are certainly not applicable to you--- that would certainly be overkill and would not help your property.  Anthony's also correct that "double the money doesn't mean double the savings." (Cost or energy).   I think that most people in the industry understand this. It's a standard to try to achieve, but we're not there yet by any metric.
    However, I have also been involved in creating studies where LEED Certification and/or building under green standards, generally can been found to be minimally more money on the front end (Construction) with all  the savings/value on the back end (Consumption, maintenance cost, and resale values) that we would hope to achieve by undertaking a project of this scope.  

Anthony's final words are dead on-- avoid the scamster at all costs.  I'll repeat my own warning as well-- don't allow yourself to be over sold.  Start with the USGBC.  

Finally, I note that you're in VA, but the project is in Providence? as in, RI? I may be able to introduce you to a few people in the Boston area, if that'd help. Feel free to reach out.

Good luck!