To the surprise of many, the government tries to modify our behavior through monetary strategies and the same is true for promoting green construction. In this case, we are talking about funding a green project.

There are numerous sources for the funding of green project research and construction. They exist on the National, State, and local level. They include grants, tax credits, and loans. The important thing to understand when you begin a search for a source of funding is that the government and society in general is very anxious to assist you with your green project. We are not just waking to the global dangers. Our leaders are already wide awake and know that green construction is an essential element of the future health of our nation. They want to help, particularly on the state level.

The central clearing house for Federal Programs is the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). This website based catalog gives information of all federal programs that supply funds to state agencies, local agencies, and non-profit organizations. They also list programs that are available to private developers and even individuals. This catalog can be accessed online and application made online as well.

There are over $400 billion dollars offered in over 1,000 Federal Grant programs. These programs are all listed and explained on the grant [dot] gov website. In addition to full information, application forms for the grants can be downloaded from the site, and the final submission can be entered there as well. Grants are not as easy to get as some people think, but they are possible. They also have the major advantage over loans and other funding sources because they do not have to be repaid in most cases.

There are several national green construction funding opportunities. One is the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Obviously, this office is interested in Energy Efficiency in building construction use and also of the use of renewable energy sources. They will provide funding for research and the demonstration of these two things in green construction. Green Communities is a five year and $555 million dollar initiative to build a total of 8,500 environmentally health houses for low income families.

There are also several Foundations dedicated to green construction funding. The Home Depot Foundation is one, and another is the Kresage Foundation. There is help available on the State and local level also. The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) is one example of a State level resource. There are also a large number of local based incentives as well. Green construction is an interesting meeting between those looking for funding and those agencies willing to provide it.

When it comes to new construction techniques, grants are often a way to cut costs. Federal grants for green construction are plentiful with billions literally available.

A federal grant is an award of financial assistance from a Federal agency. It is intended to carry out a public purpose or support or stimulate a purpose that is authorized by a law of the United States. Federal grants can be found and applied for electronically. The site Grants.gov is the central clearing house for Federal Grants.

There are twenty six different agencies that offer over 1,000 grant programs. The grants that apply to green construction are mostly offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The total amount of grants available exceeds $400 billion dollars. The grants offered by the feds fall into twenty one categories. The categories that have the most impact on green construction are Energy, Environmental Quality, and Health.

Most of the grants are directed toward specific geographical areas. Some of the major concerns of the grants include water quality improvement and the prevention of urban storm water runoff. Many of the grants are connected with the Leeds certification program. Leeds stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is a program that is run by the United States Green Building Council and it establishes green construction standards and awards certificates to those that maintain these standards.

Although there are federal grants available, it is on the state and local level that the large majority of grants can be found. The green movement is a grassroots type of thing that appears to be strongest at the local level. Environmental concerns are often very local, and the problems that have been caused by the neglect of the environment are local as well. The pollution of waterways is a good example of this. grant programs exist that are directed at the Great Lakes or at Puget Sound, for example. States that are bordering these waterways usually offers these grants. The idea of environmental impact areas has led to the localities that border or are inside the impact area being the best source of funds for projects that will address the problems.

Private foundations like the Kresage Foundation are among the best sources of green construction grants. The Kresage Foundation has been offering grants under their Green Building Initiative Program. It is specifically geared toward the area of planning and design. While it is true that State, local, and private foundations are the major sources of grants that can be considered pure green building, the federal government is also a source. Research is the key to finding a grant for your project, so take the time to explore the various options mentioned above.

The new-construction boom has crated thousands of new condominiums. Some are well built and some utilize questionable building techniques. Before you sign a real estate purchase contract, be aware of some beyond the surface construction flaws that should make you run not walk from the development.

-Before falling in love with a builder, ask for the addresses of other projects they’ve completed. Talk to condo association board members on the track record of the builder. Warranty issues should have been corrected in a timely manner. And, don’t be afraid to ask if they had to file lawsuits against the builder.

-Concrete or cinder block construction, requires ongoing waterproofing maintenance. If moisture seeps through, mold in addition to structural damage will result.

-Ask for 2 coats of finish paint over 2 coats of primer. Less, and you’ll be painting sooner than you expected. Tops and bottoms of doors should be sealed and painted, to eliminate expansion in humid weather. Run your hand over painted walls, if it’s bumpy, the wall wasn’t prepped properly.

-Exposed kitchen and bath cabinets should have finished, matching end panels, not particleboard with wood-look laminate. All drawer and door pulls should be in the same place. Look for dovetailed drawer construction and drawers that roll all the way out, both quality signals. Doors should hang square and hinges should be adjustable.

-All plumbing and electrical pipes should have finish plates that screen holes through walls or cabinets. Irregular and large holes are signs of a sloppy contractor and a mediocre builder.

-Phone and cable jacks in every room. If one room wired is standard, it’s a sign that the builder will nickel and dime buyers. Ditto single clothes bars and shelves in closets. If 100 amp electric service is a minimum code requirement, but the builder has installed 200 amp service, it’s a sign that they do things right.

-Do your homework on appliances, furnaces, air-conditioners and hot water heaters. There are wide ranges of price points, and some builders know that consumers don’t know the difference between a low-end and a top-of-the-line furnace.

-All ceramic or glass tile should feature on all outside edges a rounded corner “bull-nose”. And, grout should be sealed. A quick test to check the seal is to sprinkle water on grout, if it beads up, it’s sealed, if it’s absorbed, it’s not.

-Windows are not all created equal. This feature is one commonly discounted in building budgets. Ask the brand name of the windows and do a search on the Internet to determine quality. Metal-framed windows conduct cold. Wood framed windows are considered best.

-Finish moldings and trim. Inexpensive, out-of-scale, or non-existent baseboards, window and door trim work all say the builder cut corners. Baseboards should have quarter-round where the baseboard meets the floor.

Beware of allowances and pricey upgrades when looking at specifications by architects, designers and contractors when remodeling or considering a new construction home. Standard features and specifications should be included any construction contract. If you’re considering a mid-priced home or remodel, mid-priced appliances, cabinets, flooring, lighting, plumbing, and windows should be standard, not an upgrade or an allowance.

-An allowance is a monetary value attached to an item of work in a new or remodeled home. If a contract stipulates $1,000 for kitchen countertops, any amount over that, comes out of your pocket as an extra. So, if you decide you want granite countertops, and the allowance is for $1,000, which is for Formica, the difference is your expense. These overages can add up quickly in either remodeling or new home. Allowances can be deceiving if you are not armed with knowledge of what specific home features cost. The largest culprit of low-balled allowances is in the lighting category. Do some comparison-shopping and create a spreadsheet before talking with a builder or contractor for everything from appliances to fireplace mantels. I prefer working with new home- builders and remodeling contractors who don’t feature low prices just to turn around and say almost everything is an upgrade or exceeds unrealistic allowances.

- Upgrades are a profit center for new homebuilders. The pedestal sink you see in a model home could be an upgrade from the standard vanity with cultured marble top. Even sink faucets and door hardware can be extras. Sometimes the fireplace is standard, but a mantel and hearth are upgrades. When visiting sales enters, always ask if the model is finished with standard or upgrades. A follow up question when comparing the lure of advertised prices to what you see in a model home is; “how much is this home as we see it?” You might be surprised at the spread between advertised and actual pricing.