Contractor

Selecting a contractor and home performance professional

• Review our checklist of questionsDownload PDF 400 K to ask when hiring a contractor.
• Determine the scope of your project before you start and make it a priority to stick to your plan.
• Start with a home performance assessment to determine which upgrades will help you save the most money, reduce waste and improve indoor air quality, comfort and durability.
• Conduct a blower door test to identify and quantify air leakage paths in the home. A blower door test uses a fan in the front door of the house to depressurize the inside of the house. A pressure gauge is used along with a flow meter to estimate how leaky your house is. This is now a code requirement for new construction in Washington State and many green building rating systems require a very tight threshold along with well-designed fresh air ventilation.
• Hiring an architect can save you money in the long term if your remodel is complex and requires structural changes. Many local architects are experienced in green strategies and fluent in the Built Green checklist. Visit the Built Green website external link for a list of architect members and projects.

Additional resources

• "Hiring a Pro" Green Remodeling GuideDownload PDF 750 K – from the King County Solid Waste Division
  Offers information to help you pick the best contractor for your home remodeling project