Green Roofs

Roofs are often viewed as simple functional components that protect buildings and residences from outside weather and temperatures. But as the planet heats up and the idea of sustainability gains popularity creative planners and roofers are creating more socially responsible areas and living spaces. This has sparked a green roofing movement in the United States and abroad as a rising number of buildings are swapping shingles for sedums. Local states that are taking advantage of the ecologically sound idea include Chicago, Seattle, Maryland, and Boston. This is all just the beginning of the movement, more and more creative planners, builders and consumers are hopping on the green roofing band wagon. All because the advantages of green roofs go beyond environmental but also impact our social and economic needs.

When builders create roofs that aren’t Eco-friendly they hurt the environment in many ways. They affect the world’s natural water cycle (called stormwater runoff); they increase heat island effects and air pollution. Because water is the world’s most valuable resource and a necessity in life for people and plant life, installing green roofs have proven valuable. Green roofs help preserve water and provide ecologically meaningful contributions to water management by their ability to store water and transpire it. The vegetation on top of roofs absorbs air pollution and reduces the hot temperatures caused by unnatural heat conductors such as asphalt, brick and concrete. When there is more building with less vegetation this encourages global warming contributing to higher air temperatures. Meaning urban areas are always 15 to 20 degrees higher in temperature than rural areas. On the contrary, Central Europe has cooler temperatures and has extensive green landscaping that retains 80 percent of its precipitation when it rains. The microclimate of green landscaped and green roof areas support cool temperatures and advance the efficiency of solar power structures, making them more economical.

Green roofs work! The benefits of them are extensive and as stated before, the primary advantage is that it helps mitigate the effects of stormwater runoff, heat island effect and energy consumption. Furthermore, the slight addition in cost brings about awesome long-term economic, social and environmental benefits for the local city and state.

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Before beginning any home improvement project, you must address the issue of insurance, both yours and your contractors’. You can’t always count on your existing homeowner’s insurance if someone is injured or something is damaged on your property. Don’t get stuck with the bill.

Your Policy
Before work on your project begins, determine if you need to increase your homeowner’s insurance. Your insurance agent can help you make sure that your policy will cover the cost of rebuilding, should your home be damaged, including the cost of new construction.

Also take a look at your liability coverage. While most policies come with a basic $100,000 in liability and $25,000 in property damage coverage, your agent can help you determine if you need to stretch your coverage. For a small additional premium, you can purchase a special umbrella liability policy that activates when you reach set limits on your basic homeowner’s policy.

Another item regarding insurance that homeowners often overlook has to do with the value of their home. A major home improvement project can add significant value to a home. This increase in value will often warrant extra coverage, resulting in higher premiums. Bring your insurance agent into the loop early on in the planning process in order to best understand the changes to your policy that a project will necessitate, and notify them as soon as your project is completed.

Your Contractors’ Insurance
It is vital that you are comfortable with your contractors’ insurance coverage. Never be afraid to ask questions. Obtain written proof of their policies or contact their insurance agents directly. The next item to consider will again involve your agent. He or she should be able to tell you what additional coverage is necessary based on the type of worker you employ. The two types are as follows:

Casual Workers are laborers who handle minor repairs and maintenance such as small fixes, painting, lawn mowing, etc. These workers are typically occasional or part-time. Should a casual worker suffer an accident while in your employ, the liability piece to your homeowner’s policy should be sufficient. If the incident results in permanent injury, however, the amount to which you’re insured may not be adequate.
Professional Workers are those with whom you’ll typically deal over the course of a larger home improvement project. These laborers perform work under a mutually agreed-upon written contract. They should comply with your state’s licensing requirements, and they should have their own accident and disability coverage, in addition to liability (or errors and omission) coverage.

If your contractor is to hire laborers, or sub-contract work to other contractors, he must provide his workers with Workers Compensation coverage. Again, ask for written proof of insurance.

SERVICE MAGIC

Upon finalizing the choice of a contractor, the next step is for the homeowner and the contractor to sign a contract. By this time the differences in opinions regarding procedures and materials should have been resolved already. All that is needed now is the actual implementation of the project.

The contract contains everything that has been agreed upon, description of the work to be performed, details of the project and the corresponding price quotations. It is a legal document that is binding to all parties who sign in it. That is why both the parties (homeowner and contractor) should sign the contract.

To safeguard one’s interests, the contract should never be signed unless carefully reviewed over. Because once the contract has been signed, the contractor will not be legally bound to honor anything beyond the specifications of the contract. If something detailed in the contract is not clear to you, ask for an explanation and request that a revision be made to the contract. If still in doubt, discuss the matter with a reputable lawyer.

The contract must also indicate the following:

1. The contractor’s name, address, phone, and license number, if required
2. Project cost and terms of payment
3. A detailed list of all materials including color, model, size, brand name, and product
4. An estimated start and completion date of the project.
5. The contractor’s obligation to obtain all necessary permits and Contractor’s notation that all work will be done according to local building codes
6. Contractor’s notation that the construction site shall be cleaned up at the end of each working day including the removal of all debris at the completion of the project
7. Warranties covering materials and workmanship to include the length of the warranty period and any limitations also should be spelled out.
8. A statement of the contractor’s public liability and property damage insurance
9. A release of lien clause ensures that the homeowner will not be responsible for liens filed against the contractor by suppliers or subcontractors.

Before You Hire A Contractor: Check These Out

Unless you’re a qualified “do-it-yourself” guy, hire a capable contractor to get the project done. Depending on the size and complexity of your project, you may choose to work with a specialists in their field. You can choose from among the following:

• General Contractors manage all aspects of your project, including hiring and supervising subcontractors, getting building permits, and scheduling inspections. They also work with architects and designers.
• Speciality Contractors install particular products, such as cabinets and bathroom fixtures.
• Architects design homes, additions, and major renovations. If your project includes structural changes, you may want to hire an architect who specializes in home remodeling.
• Design/Build Contractors provide one-stop service. They see your project through from start to finish. Some firms have architects on staff; others use certified designers.

Important Guides in Hiring a Contractor:

1. Word-of-mouth is a good way to start looking for home improvement specialists. Check with friends, business associates, and neighbors for recommendations. You can also check with your local business bureaus for listing of established contractors.
2. Don’t settle for just one contractor, ask three companies to look at the job and give you a written estimate. Never accept an estimate over the telephone or without the contractor inspecting the area.
3. Be wise to ask for references, professional certifications, and state licenses – then check them out, even if the company has been recommended to by a friend. If references have been given, do take a look at examples of their work to see if they meet your expectations. Ask for past customers evaluations of their workmanship if possible.
4. It is preferable to deal with contractors that are fully insured. The contractor should carry workers’ compensation and general liability insurance. Lack of insurance could leave you liable for any injuries suffered on the job. Ask for a copy of their insurance certificates. Every contractor’s insurance should cover property damage, liability, and workers’ compensation.
5. It is important that the contractor has a reliable business record or is solidly established with sufficient capital to stay long enough to complete your project. Check with the contractor’s bank for the company’s general solvency. You don’t want a contractor to go bankrupt in the middle of your project.
6. It is equally important too that the contractor is knowledgeable in securing the necessary permits for the work.

The best contractors are those who care about the project as much as you do, and who can work around your schedule and your household’s routines. If you want to be involved in every decision, hire a contractor who’s comfortable with close supervision. If you want to leave the details to an expert, hire a contractor whose decisions you will trust.

Warning Signs:

Be wary when dealing with contractors who:

• Solicits door-to-door
• Offers you discounts for finding other customers
• Just happens to have materials left over from a previous job
• Only accepts cash payments
• Asks you to get the required building permits
• Does not list a business number in the local telephone directory
• Tells you your job will be a “demonstration”
• Pressures you for an immediate decision
• Offers exceptionally long guarantees
• Asks you to pay for the entire job up-front

Not all contractors operate within the law. You may be in for a potential rip-offs by a fly-by-night contractor.

The common reasons why people would want to remodel or improve their houses are:

• The potential increase of re-sale value after improvements in case the owner is planning to sell the house.
• The family has grown and needs a bigger space.
• The house really needs a face-lift.

If major renovations (bath & kitchen improvements, room addition, landscaping) are going to be made, it is best to hire the services of professionals to do the job. When it is almost impossible to handle the plumbing, electrical, and carpentry work, hiring people who have experience can save you money and time. Getting something done right the first time will give you value that lasts for years. The most common are the following:

Architect – If the job involves planning structural changes, or a complex design, an architect would be needed.
Contractor – This person oversees the nuts-and-bolts aspects of your home improvement project, such as hiring and supervising workers, getting permits, making sure inspections are done as needed, and providing insurance for work crews. Once you’ve chosen a contractor, make sure your contract specifies that you will pay in several stages. It’s customary to pay one-third when the contract is signed so that the contractor can buy supplies. The number and timing of other payments depends on the size of the job, but do not make final payment until all work is successfully completed, inspected, and approved.
Interior Designers - These specialists offer advice on furnishings, wall coverings, colors, styles, and more. They can help save you time (by narrowing down selections) and money (from the professional discounts they might receive).

The homeowner has the final say whether all or only one consultant is needed to do the job.