Balancing Cost And Sustainability

Step 1: Reduce Waste

For every Dumpster you fill, the customer pays about $400. Bertasso says he's found everything from half sheets of drywall to bricks to tubes of fireproof caulk to R-6 flex duct. "The dollars are there," he says. "There's a lot of money in waste."

The solution is to plan more efficiently. For example, reducing your gypsum board count by 10 sheets equals a $500 savings.

Estimated savings: $2,000 (Bertasso says this is a conservative estimate and can be attained simply with capturing the low-hanging fruit.)

Step 2: Improve Operation Efficiencies

Efficient planning and communications can save a bundle in labor waste, Bertasso said. For example, providing subs with checklists can prevent extra trips to the jobsite. Even one saved trip per contractor per project can add up quickly.

Also, draw up detailed plans and avoid hand-written changes and notations. The more specific plans and drawings are up front, the less confusion, changes, and do-overs needed later.

Estimated savings: $1,000

Step 3: Install Cost-Effective Materials

Many green materials cost little to no extra money, particularly if you're willing to do a little research and work with suppliers. Many plumbing manufacturers, for example, offer WaterSense-certified faucets at the same price as traditional units. Engineered lumber earns a lot of points under green building programs and, while pricier, can save money in reduced labor and waste. Radiant barriers and extra insulation add cost but save money in reduced HVAC capacity.

Potential savings: $500

Step 4: Trim Admin Costs

Greening your company not only helps you walk the walk, it can reduce admin costs.

Recycling paper is the lows-hanging fruit that every company should be doing without hesitation. For an even bigger impact, consider moving to an electronic PO system, which saves Bertasso a ream of paper per project plus postage and labor to mail.

For marketing, think beyond the billboard, which works for brand recognition but isn't going to actually sell the house. You must invest in an attractive, easy-to-navigate website and utilize tools such as YouTube, a blog, Facebook, Flickr, etc. to increase your exposure to potential clients. Initial one-time setup costs can run $3,000 to $4,000, but will then pay for themselves quickly. After that, upkeep expenses are low and many social media services are free.

Potential savings: Varies