As Builders Race to Go Green, La Jolla Pacific Expert Provides Road Map

February 01, 2008

Don Neff to Advise on Green-Building Programs at Upcoming Builders Show, Feb. 13-16 The International Builders' Show 2008 ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As builders race to build more environmentally sensitive homes, they face an expanding array of programs to guide their efforts, including the National Green Building Program from the National Assn. of Home Builders, debuting Feb. 14, 2007, during the International Builders Show. These programs present a maze of choices that impact builders’ cost, marketability, risk and profitability. In attendance at the show — taking place Feb. 13-16 — to assist builders in choosing the best fit is nationally known construction expert Don Neff of La Jolla Pacific, Ltd., a construction quality and risk management consulting firm in Irvine, Calif. In addition to the widely recognized LEED rating system, according to NAHB, there are currently approximately 50 locally grown green building programs across the country. Neff’s firm has been working with developers and builders on evaluating the sometimes-confusing array of protocols. “Builders want to know which program will give them the most bang for their buck in terms of appeal to homebuyers and long-term energy-savings and/or sustainability.” At the same time, it is important to validate design techniques, systems and qualifications of trade partners to ensure proper performance, limit liability and avoid “green-washing,” such as substituting inferior products for higher-priced choices. “These programs are valuable for offering guidelines to building design and product selection, with some requiring higher-cost materials and more rigor in terms of specifications and performance.” “Through performance standards and inspections, we aim to minimize the risk of construction defect litigation and maximize the probability that a good quality product will be built,” Neff said.

More