Reduce your carbon footprint with permit ready plans for beautiful, green, functional, small buildings

30% of our landfill is from construction debris. Send less to the landfill, saving you money and keeping the worksite more clean and safe. Check with your county solid waste division for a recycling directory. Give your contractor a list of items you want recycled to make it easier for them to know what can be done and where it goes. Bins or labels can make it even more easy.

Buying local stone, tile and wood, and other materials and fixtures, saves you in transportation costs, environmental impact from shipping, waste in packaging, and saves you time in your build. Plus it helps the local economy and community thrive. Win win for everyone.

A leaky toilet can cost a homeowner $200 a month! There are many toilets and faucet options now that conserve water. Replace the whole fixture with a water-saving fixture or add an aerator to the faucet. Well placed lighting helps to reduce the need for excessive lights. Light tubes, solar, insulation, sealing, to name a few energy and water conservation tips. 

Use reclaimed materials for a more creative look while reducing the need for new materials and less waste in the landfill. You can find excellent wood from old houses or barns from 100 years ago when wood was so much stronger, plus it now has a beautiful patina. Visit your local building salvage store for items from doors and windows to sinks, molding, and glass knobs. So many treasures and cost saving prices!

When selecting materials, be sure to not only choose durability, but also products with low-VOC for a healthy you and healthier planet. Vinyls, latex, carpet, caulk, insulation, pressed woods, and other engineered products contain many toxic substances that pose a risk to humans, pets, and the environment. Be sure to ask for low-VOC and non-toxic options that do not off-gas in your living space over time. If they are not sure, ask for the MSDS sheets for more detailed info.

Do the products and materials you are looking at stand up to wear and tear over time? Spending a little more on something that will last much longer will save you money and save from more material going to the landfill.