| It it a fantastic time to be a do-it-yourselfer! Many | | | | people who frequent them often are experts on |
| new tools and resources are available to make | | | | living green. One site that I am a member of, |
| DIY projects easier than ever and it is not difficult | | | | which I recommend is If you sign up for this one, |
| to find out information that was once held | | | | the site will help you live a greener lifestyle all |
| exclusively by construction professionals. Following | | | | around. However, like the larger online |
| these steps will get you started. | | | | communities, you can search for users and |
| Search Local | | | | groups of users near you. This is one of the best |
| The Internet is a phenomenal tool for those of us | | | | sources of finding people willing to help you with |
| that are trying to find the most economical | | | | your projects. Further, this method can not only |
| means to find out green building construction tips | | | | find you information about green building |
| and information. However, the best first step | | | | construction, but also find you warm bodies who |
| would be to simply open your local telephone | | | | want you physically help you with your project! |
| book and search for contractors. If you see any | | | | Once you have searched for assistance on |
| entries that mention sustainable living or green | | | | smaller green social networks, I would |
| construction, there is a very good chance that | | | | recommend searching for groups on Facebook |
| you will be able to have your questions answered | | | | and MySpace related to green living near you. |
| by them | | | | Visit Non-Chain Hardware Stores |
| If you come up short with your offline search, | | | | While I do believe in going to your local supplier as |
| your next step should be to visit your search | | | | much as possible for green reasons, I'm not going |
| engine of choice and search for "green builders" | | | | to rip the chain stores here. There are many fine |
| followed by your city and state. This will often pull | | | | knowledgeable individuals who work for these |
| up a listing of contractors and other groups near | | | | larger chain establishments, however there is a |
| you that focus on sustainable living and building | | | | greater focus on service at the local "mom and |
| techniques. Unfortunately, there are some areas | | | | pop" stores that are not affiliated with a national |
| of the country where it's simply not possible to | | | | chain or brand. For this reason, I would |
| find builders in your town. In this case, gradually | | | | recommend going to one of these stores instead. |
| expanding the search area by first searching by | | | | The odds that you will find someone genuinely |
| your state and then by your region of the | | | | interested in you project and knowledgeable of |
| country will put you in touch with green | | | | the best ways to execute it. In most |
| contractors, who can provide helpful building tips | | | | circumstances, I would recommend asking for the |
| and advise. Be ready though for some less | | | | manager as they are the most experienced and |
| scrupulous contractors to try to talk you into | | | | may even be ex-contractors themselves. |
| hiring them to do the work for you. Any | | | | It does help to have a plan in hand and ready to |
| contractor worth their salt will provide very useful | | | | go. One of the best first projects for greening |
| information and let you decide if you need them | | | | your home would be to add solar panels to your |
| to assist with your project. | | | | house. I would recommend you take a look at |
| Use Online Communities | | | | this site for the best turn key solution. Take the |
| While dwarfed by sites such as Facebook and | | | | ideas here to your local hardware store and they |
| MySpace, there are several online communities | | | | will make sure that you obtain the best and right |
| dedicated to living a greener life. The best thing | | | | equipment to build and install your panels quickly |
| about these smaller sites is that many of the | | | | and easily. |