Building an Eco-Friendly Construction Company: Where Should You Start?
Anyone with an interest or experience in construction and a love for the environment might consider building an eco-friendly construction company. Combining the two could lead to a fulfilling career, especially if you want to own a business.
Read this guide to learn what to consider as you start your new professional journey and a few things to avoid. You’ll have greater success launching an eco-friendly construction firm because you’ll better understand what it takes to open your future front doors to clients.
1. Get Your Licenses Organized
Every enterprise needs some kind of legal licensing to provide goods or services. It’s how consumers know they aren’t giving their money to scam artists. Licenses also prove a brand is as sustainable as it’s promising.
You’ll need a standard business license to operate within the jurisdiction where you’ll work. Your state government will file the paperwork after you file and pay any related fees. You’ll also need to acquire a contractor’s license, which requires passing an exam proving you understand standard safety protocols and construction operations.
Building an eco-friendly construction company also requires green certifications. You could apply for numerous types, like the Green Seal Certification, which recognizes sustainable services and products based on its high standards for a business’ health and performance. Green America, Green-e and the Green Business Bureau are other opportunities to certify your environmental intentions for your future clients.
2. Talk With Your Accountant
It’s always a good idea to keep in touch with an accountant while planning and launching a brand. They’ll guide you through the legal process of registering your business and answer essential tax questions like:
- How should I structure my business?
- How much should I set aside for quarterly or annual tax payments?
- How should I maximize my cash flow and accurately assess my liquidity needs while projects are less frequent?
- How can we work risk management strategies into my one or two-year business plan?
- Which green tax credits would benefit my business?
Your company may qualify for specific tax deductions thanks to the sustainable steps you take within your headquarters or on each project site. An accountant will consider everything while recommending the best financial path forward so you sees long-term success. Skipping this step could result in paying too much in taxes, preventing you from investing that money back into your business.
3. Connect With Suppliers
You’ll need sustainable materials to provide green construction. Research local and national suppliers to average the costs per material compared to traditional suppliers. You could form a spreadsheet of prices for things like:
- Recycled concrete
- Upcycled wood
- Bamboo
- Cork
- Mass timber
Industry leaders also research finishing materials like paint and carpeting that don’t have non-biodegradable chemicals. Although the clients will have the final choice for many of these details, you’ll need these estimates and supplier quotes to provide a price point for each site.
4. Upgrade Your Equipment
If you build a home with sustainable materials but your equipment generates excessive pollution during construction, the site won’t be as green as your clients might desire. Consider investing in green construction equipment or upgrading what you already have if you’re transitioning your existing construction brand to a sustainable business.
Standard excavators require excessive amounts of gasoline, but you couldn’t start a project without them. Switching to mini excavators will make your team more fuel-efficient and potentially open the doors to a hybrid option with an electric battery.
Aluminum trailers are a greener alternative because the lightweight material requires less gas to drive the same distance compared to a steel trailer. Seemingly minor changes like that make a significant difference for any company going green, especially eco-friendly construction ones driving to various sites daily.
Don’t forget about on-site electricity generation. Although you could plug your site into the local power grid, it would contribute to the CO2 generated by the nearest power plant. You could set up solar panels or a temporary wind turbine to create your own electricity and minimize the site’s carbon footprint.
5. Advertise Your Company’s New Services
The construction industry is full of leading enterprises already dealing with high demand. You’ll need to break through the noise with your eco-friendly construction company, so advertise your new services across multiple channels.
Consumers have to know what type of construction you offer, where you’ll build and what sets you apart from traditional brands they could choose to work with instead. TVads and social media ads can paint a clear picture where consumers are already spending their time.
Every business must have a website. Your ads should point consumers toward your site and professional phone number. If they can easily reach you or learn more about you through a website, they’ll request project quotes more quickly.
6. Hone Your Brand’s Identity
Your company provides sustainable construction, but why? Narrow down your professional identity with a mission statement and defined core values such as:
- Professional and environmental integrity
- Safety
- Accountability
- Diversity
- Sustainable innovation
The commitments you make within your core values and mission statement should become part of your website, too. Potential clients can read more in-depth materials about why those matter to you before deciding if your interests align with theirs.
Uplift consumers with a positive tone so employees and clients know they benefit just as much as you. They’ll even help the surrounding community. After all, sustainable changes in the local environment result in cleaner air, less polluted water and a brighter future for everyone in the area.
These details will become part of your marketing campaigns, packaging and even email newsletters. The key is striking the right tone so interested consumers feel encouraged to become part of your green movement.
7. Network to Grow Your Company
Networking is a powerful tool for new business owners. Meet with local contractors and architects to see if they’ll refer interested clients to you in exchange for future work. Construction trade shows could help you meet people and form a supportive team of local business owners who are also interested in green construction. As your professional network grows, you’ll gain more resources for crucial factors like mentorship and on-site support.
8. Look Into Expanding Your Team
Whether you’re moving an existing construction team into the sustainable building industry or starting from scratch, you’ll need to expand your team to get busy with project sites. Hire traditional contractors with experience, and those with specific eco-friendly titles like environmental engineers, eco-friendly roofers or green construction inspectors.
You can also upskill your existing staff with the right construction NVQs (national vocational qualification) to help them gain the skills they need for your eco-construction company.
Employing people with an environmental education or experience sets you apart from competitors. You know they’ll keep your projects on track and aligned with your sustainable core values. Your new team members will also fill your organization with industry leaders who will pave the way for future new hires ready to follow in their footsteps.
Start Drafting Your Eco-Friendly Construction Company Plans Today
When you’re ready to start building an eco-friendly construction company, use these steps to move your career forward. After filing the necessary legal paperwork, defining your brand values and formulating an advertising strategy, you can hire new team members to build incredible projects that make you an industry leader.
