Well, I don't have the final report, but I was told that the "Green Built" inspector came through my parade house on Saturday and we did quite well. It turns out much of what we are currently doing is already "green building".
I hope we don't place to high in the final count since I don't have my official stamp to be a "Green Builder" yet. In order to be an official "Green Builder" I have to take a class and pass a test, and then I think take another class. Of course there is a several hundred dollar fee that goes along with that.
Sometimes I wonder what is more important. Providing the best product for my customer or marketing myself appropriately. I wish they would push harder on the merits of green building techniques, rather than the merits of being an official Green Builder.
I guess will find out when the results come out.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Always on Call
Today, my one and only day off, it rained. It rained hard... A homeowner called to let me know that the top soil that we just trucked in was washing down into the lake that we built his house next to.
First things first I called the landscaper and he went out to assess the situation and sure eneough, we needed reinforcements. We installed the silt fencing properly, but the storm was just to much. Unfortunately, it was going to rain again shortly and we had limited time to fix the silt fence and get some hay bails in place.
Just as we finished, the storm set in. I was certain it was a tornado. The wind came swirling in and the temperature dropped 5-10 degrees.
Monday, I will be back out there shoring up what we did yesterday, (my only day off) and hoping it will hold until the lawn can come in.
Several things building has taught me are as follows:
1. I am ever humbled at God's power. I don't care what precautions I take, some things I can't control and even at my best will not stop.
2. I am very happy with the skills I have been given. There is something about trying to fix a problem or getting into the mix of things that makes me feel "right". I can't explain it but I am certain most builders are like this. They like to get there hands dirty. I think that explains why my father... also a builder.... wanted to come with me. That and the free coffee I bought him after we left the lake.
3. Even though I am humbled every day, I am proud of what I do. My homeowners are happy and I know I have given them my best.
I guess that is not several things, but I am tired and tomorrow is a new day.
First things first I called the landscaper and he went out to assess the situation and sure eneough, we needed reinforcements. We installed the silt fencing properly, but the storm was just to much. Unfortunately, it was going to rain again shortly and we had limited time to fix the silt fence and get some hay bails in place.
Just as we finished, the storm set in. I was certain it was a tornado. The wind came swirling in and the temperature dropped 5-10 degrees.
Monday, I will be back out there shoring up what we did yesterday, (my only day off) and hoping it will hold until the lawn can come in.
Several things building has taught me are as follows:
1. I am ever humbled at God's power. I don't care what precautions I take, some things I can't control and even at my best will not stop.
2. I am very happy with the skills I have been given. There is something about trying to fix a problem or getting into the mix of things that makes me feel "right". I can't explain it but I am certain most builders are like this. They like to get there hands dirty. I think that explains why my father... also a builder.... wanted to come with me. That and the free coffee I bought him after we left the lake.
3. Even though I am humbled every day, I am proud of what I do. My homeowners are happy and I know I have given them my best.
I guess that is not several things, but I am tired and tomorrow is a new day.
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