In 2016, $74.24 billion worth of commercial buildings were constructed in the U.S., and the industry continues to grow.
In spite of a booming construction economy, not all builders and buyers have embraced new construction techniques. Specifically, some individuals have been rejecting the idea of eco-friendly construction. The hesitation to embrace green building projects is rarely comes from customers who don’t want to help the environment. Instead, many reluctant customers believe certain outdated ideas about green construction that simply aren’t true.
Before you look for construction project management companies, be sure that you’re not subscribing to these four common myths about green buildings. After separating facts from rumors, you might find that you want to find general contractors that specialize in environmental projects after all.
Myth 1: Green Building is a Passing Trend
Many customers are reluctant to choose green building strategies because they believe that eco-conscious buildings are a fad that won’t stand the test of time. They worry that a green project won’t have resale value, or will soon look out of place when building contractors move away from this building style. However, green building designs of the 70s are not the same as the techniques used today, and green building has been very popular in Europe for several years. In other words, today’s green buildings are actually in step with long-standing trends, and they styles used today will have much more longevity than those of earlier decades.
Myth 2: Green Building is More Expensive
This common misconception about green building shows that many budgets are calculated using little foresight and short-term gain goals. Though eco-conscious building projects may seem more expensive up front, they generally cut costs over years due to lower energy costs, reduced waste of materials, and more efficient labor. Construction project management companies can work with a customer to ensure that both financial and environmental goals are met during any project.
Myth 3: Green Building Materials Aren’t Worth It
Another common belief is that sustainable sourced, not-toxic materials are not worth the extra expense. However, the market for such products is expanding daily, and new ideas are always being introduced. As more sustainable products become available, and as more raw materials become depleted, investing in materials that can be recycled is actually a smart business move.
Myth 4: Waste Management is Ineffective
Waste management refers to using construction strategies that limit the number of materials and labor required for a project so that nothing goes unused. Taking a little extra time to plan an efficient project can actually save money due to reduced “tipping fees” at landfills. Overall, waste-reduction strategies help the environment by simply reducing materials and energy needed to get the job done.
Before you decide against working with construction project management companies to create a sustainable and ethical building, consider whether or not these myths hold true. Contrary to common beliefs, green building can actually save companies money. More than a passing trend, environmental stewardship in construction can help your building, and the environment, stand the test of time.
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