Welcome to The Ultimate Handyman!
November 24th, 2009
As a builder I never put too much thought on why some of my clients have requested green practices and materials when hiring my services. I used green construction practices anytime the client requested and was willing to pay the price. I would look for and hire subs that had experience recycling, new suppliers that carry energy efficient devices, buy and utilize low VOC paint, and anything else that the client requested and was willing to pay premium for. In another words, I was in it only for the money.
Even though I was in the building green business, I had a lot to learn about the reasons of building green. One day I was riding my motorcycle on the streets of Hollywood, when my motorcycle stalled and I hit my knee on a car stopped in traffic. I broke the tail light of that green Honda compact (hybrid for all I know). I stopped in the parking lot of a Wholes Foods Market to give my info to the driver. I promised to pay for the damage and gave my phone number.
A few days later I got a phone call with the cost of the repair, I arranged to meet at his place in West Hollywood. During our meeting I learned that he was interested in remodeling his kitchen and wanted to do it responsibly. No one has never approached the subject that way. Responsibly implied more than green, to do it responsibly I had to take in consideration the impact in the environment, how safe the materials are, how to use materials that had a lower carbon footprint and so on. That prompted me to read about the degree of responsibility and the impact we have in every step of a construction project.
The few searches I conducted online brought me to a new understanding of why conscientious clients request green building practices. That generated a new concern, how green the so called green practices really are? I had a few meetings with the client, I learned that he did not have a big budget but has the right attitude and desire to do it right. His project is small enough so we can dissect each and every step and build it really green. Considering that this project could be enlightening to more people other than myself, I decided to take on this challenge and document every step of the way.
I invited my client Mr. James Rudolph and his designer Mr. Pirre Senechal to participate on this blog by posting their thoughts and frustrations as this project develops.
Isn’t it funny how things happen in life? A motorcycle mishap leading to a green epiphany. I hope you enjoy our saga to build this kitchen green.
