Sustainability in the construction industry?

Question

Hi, i need to know what problems sustainability will pose small contractors in the construction industry who work with forerunner Clients on sustainability...such as, higher cost of materials due to a shorter supplier database, less choice of materials....any ideas??

Answer 1

a PROPERLY PLANNED sustainable (LEED certified) building will not cost anymore to construct & operate than a conventional one.  It may even cost less.

It is being done everyday.

Hire a qualified architect to lead the project.

Answer 2

Are you personally going to live in the building?  If the client really wants you to build a sustainable building, they should be ready to absorb the higher costs and work with the limited number of materials (which I'm not sure I believe--people have made some pretty innovative "sustainable" building materials lately).

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I don't think it should cause too many problems for the contractor.

Answer 3

i think from what i have heard on't radio, the main problem so far`has been lack of skills in unconventional building techniques, and an unwillingness to depart from what they know. so again thats a problem for the poor 'forerunner Client'.