- Community Home
- :
- Expert Insight and News
- :
- Small Business Matters
- :
- Changing the Construction Landscape - Become a Gre...
Changing the Constructi on Landscape - Become a Green Building Leader
Green is in the spotlight. And if you are in the business of construction, you should make it your business.
Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) homeowners now have tax credits
at their disposal to make their residences more energy efficient. In
addition, new directives for the design and construction of greener
buildings combine to create significant opportunities and challenges
for the construction industry.
But knowing where to start - from understanding and complying with new
green building codes, to positioning your construction company as a
certified "green builder" - will require some "time and materials"
research and investment.
The Changing Landscape of Green Construction
At the state and local level alone, there has been an unprecedented
increase in green-building leadership with ever-evolving green building
codes and policies. Many of these new measures require the adoption of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
standards in the development of new government buildings, while others
offer commercial builders tax incentives and expedited permits to
enforce green building policies.
Below is a brief overview of the most recent developments in green
building codes that impact the construction industry in the light of
government-mandated green building standards - as well as resources to
help you build these practices into your construction business.
1. New National Green Building Standard
The National Green Building Standard, known as ICC-700,
was approved in January 2009 as an American National Standard. The
standard allows builders, designers and communities to choose the
levels of high-performance green buildings that best suit their needs
and provides guidance for safe and sustainable building practices for
residential construction, including both new and renovated
single-family to high-rise residential buildings.
This is the first and only green standard that is consistent and
coordinated with the Code Council’s family of I-Codes and standards.
The Council sees ICC-700 as a benchmark for green building in the
residential market, serving as a new and needed starting point for
comprehensive approaches to green residential construction. Read more
about ICC-700.
As a builder or retrofitter, you can purchase a booklet about helping
homeowners achieve compliance with the ICC 700-2008 National Green
Building Standard (NGBS) here.
2. Recovery Act and the Construction Industry
In addition to the headway that states are making with green policies,
ARRA includes $3.1 billion in additional funding for State Energy
Programs. It includes the following mandates that impact the
construction industry:
- New State-Level Building Energy Codes - State and local governments are required to implement a building energy code for residential construction that meets or exceeds the 2009 IECC energy code, and for commercial construction meets or exceeds the 2007 ASHRAE 90.1 code. To find out what green building codes are being implemented in your state you should refer to your individual state’s government Web site. Reed Construction also maintains a useful Building Code Reference Library that provides detailed information on building codes for all 50 states, major cities, and some counties.
- Homeowner Energy Efficiency Tax Credits - Perhaps the most widely covered green initiative that residential construction companies can take advantage of is the much touted tax credit for homeowner energy efficiency improvements. This includes new windows, heating and cooling system upgrades, and improved insulation. To qualify for the 30% tax credit in tax years 2009 and 2010 the homeowner must meet the requirements of the 2009 IECC code.
Additional Resources
Here are some resources you can use to get more information and tools
to educate yourself and your customers about these new building codes
and energy efficiency improvement initiatives. Remember to use this
knowledge to differentiate yourself in the marketplace.
- Business.gov’s Guide to Energy Efficient Standards for the Construction Industry - This guide draws together information from a host of government Web sites including the Department of Energy and ENERGY STAR to help small businesses comply with the laws and regulations that apply to the construction industry. Follow them on Twitter too: https://twitter.com/BusinessDotGov.
- International Code Council - This body develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Their Web site includes training information and more.
- U.S. Green Building Council - Here you’ll find information and resources about LEED including LEED rating systems, project certification, etc.
- The Energy & Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA) - This is the best known organization for professionals from all aspects of sustainable design, construction and development.
- Growing your Business as a Team: 10 Ten Team Build...
-
SBA Small Business Loans Explained–
Availabili ty, E... - The State of the Union for Small Business – Pointe...
- Going Beyond the Hype, Managing the Risk and Findi...
- Tax Law Changes for 2010 – What’s New for Your Sma...
- Before you File your 2009 Tax Return – Take Note o...
- Google AdWords Explained – Growing Your Small Busi...
- Becoming a Freelancer – Assessing your Readiness t...
- Getting Started with Email Marketing: “The Most Po...
- Getting Started with Social Media Marketing
-
CaronBeesley
- Caron Beesley has over 15 years of experience working in marketing, with a particular focus on the government sector. Caron is also a small business owner and works with the Business.gov team to promote essential government resources for small business owners.
-
SeanGallagher
- (1)
- 2008 tax law changes (1)
- 2008 tax return (1)
- 2009 tax law changes (1)
- 2009 tax return (1)
- 2010 tax filing season (1)
- 2010 tax law (1)
- 7(a) loans (1)
- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act contracting opportunities (1)
- American Recovery Capital Loan Program (1)
- ARC Loan Program (1)
- ARRA (1)
- assessing a franchise opportunity (1)
- bankruptcy (1)
- bankruptcy options (1)
- bankruptcy resources for small business (1)
- be your own boss (1)
- become a green building leader (1)
- becoming a freelancer (1)
- business exit strategy (1)
- business forms (1)
- business mileage rate (1)
- business partnerships as a business structure (1)
- business planning (1)
- business property tax (1)
- business review (1)
- business structure (1)
- business vehicle tax deductions (1)
- buying a policy (1)
- buying government surplus (1)
- CAN SPAM Act compliance (1)
- changing business direction (1)
- chasing payment (1)
- choosing a business location (1)
- choosing a business name (1)
- collecting from non-paying clients (1)
- complying with business laws in your state or city (1)
- complying with restaurant industry laws (1)
- coping and surviving in the recession (1)
- copyrighting (1)
- customs broker (1)
- defense contracting (1)
- developing a business elevator pitch (1)
- developing a customer service policy (1)
- developing a marketing budget (1)
- disabled business owners (1)
- disaster assistance loans (1)
- disaster preparedness (1)
- distributing and selling organic produce (1)
- doing business with the federal government (1)
- email marketing (1)
- email-marketing software (1)
- employee benefit plans (1)
- employer insurance (1)
- employment tax (2)
- energy efficiency (2)
- energy efficiency programs (1)
- energy efficient business (1)
- energy tax credits (1)
- environmentally-friendly office (1)
- essential government forms (1)
- export financing (1)
- exporting (1)
- exporting basics (1)
- federal contracting (1)
- federal government marketing (1)
- filing a complaint (1)
- financing (1)
- finding a franchise opportunity (1)
- finding the right funds for your non-profit (1)
- finding the right grants and loans for your needs (1)
- finding the right policy (1)
- fitness business (1)
- free small business advice (1)
- fund raising for your non-profit (1)
- generating online business traffic (1)
- get your business Web-ready (1)
- getting a small business license or permit (1)
- getting business financing (1)
- getting started (1)
- going green (1)
- Google AdWords (1)
- government auctions (1)
- government forms for small business (1)
- government resources and programs for small business (1)
- government subcontracting (1)
- green (1)
- green building codes (1)
- green business (2)
- green commuting (1)
- green home office (1)
- green office (1)
- green technologies (1)
- greening your business (2)
- grow customer relationships. use market data and demographics (1)
- growing a business (1)
- growing your freelance business (1)
- H1N1 (1)
- handling customer complaints (1)
- handling employee layoffs (1)
- Handling Forms of Customer Payments (1)
- handling late-payment (1)
- hiring foreign workers (1)
- hiring your first employee (1)
- holiday marketing tips (1)
- home based business (1)
- home-based businesses (1)
- how do i contact the government (1)
- how to register your business (1)
- how to start a business blog (1)
- how to start a food concession business (1)
- how to start a non-profit (1)
- implementing a telework policy (1)
- import and export trade (2)
- importing (1)
- in-person small business assistance (1)
- incorporating a non-profit (1)
- incorporating a small business (1)
- independent contractor (1)
- industry regulations (1)
- intellectual property (1)
- investigating a franchise opportunity (1)
- investing in a franchise (1)
- IRS 2010 Tax Calendar (1)
- is business partnership right for you (1)
- labor laws (1)
- liability insurance (1)
- licensing your small business (1)
- loan application process (1)
- loan eligibility explained (1)
- loans (1)
- managing cash flow (1)
- marketing support (1)
- marketing tips (1)
- marketing to the government (1)
- marketing your business with a blog (2)
- measuring marketing ROI (1)
- microbusiness (1)
- minority-owned businesses (1)
- National Small Business Week (1)
- new business tax laws (1)
- non-profit fundraising (2)
- non-profit fundraising planning (1)
- non-profit marketing (1)
- online marketing law (1)
- open government (1)
- open government and small business (1)
- opening a fitness center (1)
- opening a restaurant franchise (1)
- operating a restaurant (2)
- optional employee benefits (1)
- outsourcing options for freelancers (1)
- owning a fitness center (1)
- pay-per click advertising (1)
- paying business taxes (1)
- perfecting your elevator pitch (1)
- permission-based marketing (1)
- planning new ventures (1)
- preparing employees for change (1)
- preventing and dealing with sexual harassment in the work place (1)
- preventing late paying clients (1)
- producing (1)
- recovery act (1)
- Recovery Act Loans and Refinancing Options (1)
- registering and protecting your businesss name (1)
- regulatory guidelines (1)
- relocating your business in a new state (1)
- required employee benefits (1)
- resources for disabled entrepreneurs (1)
- resources for minority-owned businesses (1)
- resources for womenn business owners (1)
- restaurant compliance (1)
- retirement planning (1)
- running a restaurant (1)
- running a seasonal business (1)
- sales tax (1)
- SBA loan eligibility (1)
- sba loans and small business (1)
- search engine marketing (1)
- seasonal labor market (1)
- selling to the government (1)
- selling to the military (1)
- selling your business (1)
- selling your invention (1)
- smal business (1)
- small business (1)
- small business accountants (1)
- Small Business and Government have a Two-Way Discourse (in Plain Language) (1)
- small business and the recession (1)
- small business and the recovery act (1)
- small business assets (1)
- small business exporting (1)
- small business financing (1)
- small business guide (1)
- small business insurance (2)
- small business loans (1)
- small business location (1)
- small business marketing (1)
- small business plan for "going green" (1)
- small business planning (1)
- small business preparedness (1)
- small business questions (1)
- small business registration (1)
- small business resources (1)
- small business size standards (1)
- small business sizing (1)
- small business tax (1)
- small business tax changes 2008 (1)
- social media (1)
- social media for business (1)
- social media marketing (1)
- start-up advice (1)
- starting a business (1)
- starting a food service business (1)
- starting a green business (1)
- starting a home-based food or catering business (1)
- starting a non-profit (1)
- starting a restaurant (1)
- starting a restaurant franchise (1)
- starting a retail business (1)
- starting a small business (2)
- starting an e-commerce business (1)
- starting an online business (1)
- starting and operating a concession stand business (1)
- state of the union address (1)
- staying compliant with occupational health and safety programs (1)
- steer how government helps you (1)
- steps you need to take when hiring employees (1)
- succession planning (1)
- swine flu (1)
- tax changes for 2009 (1)
- tax changes for 2010 (1)
- tax deductions (2)
- tax planning (1)
- tax preparation (1)
- tax season (1)
- telecommuting (1)
- tips for getting your business loan approved (1)
- tools for the veteran-owned business (1)
- trade regulations (1)
- trademark protection (1)
- trademarks (1)
- training (1)
- types of bankruptcy (1)
- using consumer credit reports (1)
- using personal vehicle for business (1)
- veteran-owned business (1)
- virtual assistants (1)
- Web-based services (1)
- what license or permit does my business need (1)
- Where do you get business advice (1)
- year-end review (1)
-
FranchiseKing
on:
Going Beyond the Hype, Managing the Risk and Findi...
- steers82 on: Google AdWords Explained – Growing Your Small Busi...
- dirkbansch on: Becoming a Freelancer – Assessing your Readiness t...
- davesdomain on: Getting Started with Social Media Marketing
- actws on: Greening Your Home-Based Business – Saving $, Savi...
-
Pennystockalert
on:
Taking Stock of the Business Year – How to Conduct...
& Plan for the Year Ahead - Roofing on: Starting & Growing Your Business: 5 Valuable Lessons Learned...
-
chuckblakeman
on:
Cultivatin
g Sound Business Practices with the Help... - Johnz on: Running a Seasonal Business – Thriving and Survivi...
- johnstevens97 on: Opening a Fitness Center – 7 Steps to Making Your ...


