Consulting: Your House

The short version is that we have experience with every aspect of the house building process, from conception to completion, and we can help you with any of it. Tim is the hardened veteran contractor who was building green before they called it that. Clarke, on the other hand, started as an idealist true believer and is constantly trying to bring the outskirts of the “green” biosphere into the mainstream. Together, we are dedicated to finding “green building” solutions to housing questions not only because they are more environmentally responsible, but because they simply improve your building. A “green” building lasts longer and costs less to run while creating a healthier, more enjoyable indoor environment. Contact us to fill us in on your situation, and we’ll tell you if and how we think we can help. In addition to all the run-of-the-mill stuff, we also offer some unique services:

Consulting Packages. We are all too aware of the expense of custom consulting and design. To be honest, we couldn't afford it. Our hearts and minds go out to all of those who are motivated to get things done without the modern free pass: lots of money. For you, we are in the process of developing a series of inexpensive consulting packages to help people on a limited or even tiny budget. You'll need to do a lot of research and leg work yourself, think of them as home study courses, but in the end you'll end up better off than someone who hasn't taken the time. We say that because we firmly believe that the more you're involved, the better your project will come out. Click here for more: consulting packages.

Constructing imagination. Though the name may conjure up images of crystals and incense, it’s actually a down to earth service we developed out of years of experiencing the Herculean struggle commly called "residential construction". Truth be told, most people who want a house know very little about them, and as a consequence their “dream home” is a blurry ghost hovering on the edge of their imagination. We can help you first identify then translate your needs into the basic language of building. It's an important, almost always neglected process that should take place long before you contact an architect, call a contractor, or attend a building workshop.

Green building construction detailing. Okay, pop-quiz. Who is responsible for making sure your that the edge of your radiant floor system is properly insulated to prevent heat from pouring out the edge of the slab? The architect, the contractor, the builders? Wrong, the answer is YOU. The best design is only as good as the details of its installation and, trust us, very often the construction details that will actualize the intent of a design will slip through the cracks. We can help by creating construction design specs that clearly define pivotal installation details. We can also work with your builders, and, if necessary, conduct on-site inspections: whatever it takes to make sure that the long lasting, energy efficient non-toxic building that you imagine materializes in real life.

Green building problem solving. Maybe you’re an inexperienced owner-builder or perhaps a client with a great contractor who is new to some of the green aspects of your design. Either way, we can smooth out the rough spots. Call us for solutions to specific construction problems, for advice on how to get out of a jam, or just to be a part of that “thought we would be done by now” pep talk and regrouping soiree.

Construction/budget focused design consultations. We also do just plain ol’ vanilla design work. Part of our team is an incredible card-carrying “green” architect, Greg Jackson of Topia Design. Greg is that rare breed of architect who has lots of construction experience, so the cool thing about getting us involved in a design project is that we come at it from the construction point of view. If we’re talking about a design, the realities of the construction process are in the front of our minds. This is particularly important in green building applications because often that thing that would be the most elegant green solution just won’t work in the present reality of the construction world we know so well.

Reality checks. There is nothing easy about building. It’s a BIG deal. Even if you’ve got everything under control, you might just want to call us to get a different perspective. We can go over your plans, your budget, your ideas, or whatever you’ve got and give you an honest, no-holes-barred assessment of what you’re getting yourself into. Once you open the flood gates, the building flood stops for no one, so let’s just make sure you’re ready.

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For rates and contact info:

consulting

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© Clarke Snell, 2005