Real Estate Library

Work With Your Contractor for Environmental Awareness

Category: Construction/Remodeling

It is hard to build anything these days without intruding on somebody else's environment. It could be his air, his land, his water or his view. That is one of the prices we pay for living closer together.  Construction Hazards Did you ever think about the simple principle that soil from construction sites can move downhill when it rains? This can clog streams filling lakes and reservoirs. During dry spells, dust from earthmovers annoys neighbors. Cluttered, junky building sites are offensive. Misuse of farmlands, fish and wild life areas, historic or archeological sites, and woodlands is not acceptable.  Some contractors bury construction debris at the site. This can be dangerous and cause you, the homeowner, difficulties down the line. Old wood underground can be a source of termites and other wood- eating insect pests which can migrate to your house. Buried bricks, shingles, and concrete can surface when you are digging for a garden and cause you untold headaches when you are the one left to cart the debris to the dump. Insist that your contractor haul all debris from the site prior to final settlement.  Site and conservation management practices can reduce or eliminate these environmental hazards. Many times there is little or no extra cost to the contractor for environmental friendliness. These practices work well in cities and suburbs as well as the country, if they are planned as part of the job from the beginning. They help bring the contractor into conformity with the law and frequently make the contractor's job easier and more profitable with less liability. Trees left in place increase property values; soil left in place makes it easier to grow grass and shrubs. Berm areas screened by trees enhance the view and make for better recreation.  Good construction management preserves stream channels, fish and wildlife habitats, and results in cleaner water with less sediment downstream for someone else to clean up. You can contact the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 for the Pamphlet: Environmental Do's and Don'ts on Construction Sites.