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Steve Thomas is the host of Planet Green's Renovation Nation, a program that focuses on making green renovations to homes across the country. In his regular column on PlanetGreen.com, Steve goes behind the scenes of the show and offers additional tips and insight on green renovation.
On the Tucson episode of Renovation Nation we featured a father-and-son contractor team. The son, Nathan Kappler, was poised to take over his father's business. Working with your father can be rewarding. However, from a business standpoint, working with your father is always challenging, because you're going to want to establish your independence as a young man.
Nathan wanted to take his father's business and move it in the direction of green renovation. His father has a good name. He's been around a long time in Tucson. So it's a great opportunity for Nathan to take an existing business that's already established and move it in a slightly different direction.
How to Green Your Family Contracting Business
If you are a part of a contracting business and you are looking to push it in a green direction, you should start your case by showing your father the numbers. The only businesses right now that are in building, renovation and design that are succeeding are ones that have embraced green building.
I would also talk to my father about energy efficiency and the right way to build. ( Remember my 5 Green Bubbles? ) It's important to build small, build right and build tight.
Build it Right
Build it right means using proper techniques and good workmanship. That's green, because buildings that are built correctly require less maintenance.
Build it Small
Building it small keeps the structure's footprint down. Why use materials and spend money that you don't need to?
Build it Tight
Building it tight means that it is built energy-efficient and it will cost less to run.
Those are solid Yankee values that have been around forever. It might be called green building now, but it's just the right way to build.
Looking for a Father's Day gift? Consult our green gift guides:
Great Green Alternatives to Traditional Gifts for Dads and Grads
Trehugger: Father's Day Green Gift Guide: 10 Presents Dad Will Adore
More on Steve Thomas's Travel Journal
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