Price Per Square Foot: Compare Apples to Apples (Part II)

“Green Apples”
So in Part I we talked about why it is hard to compare the price per square foot between builders and their homes. Now, the next question usually is “how much more does green cost?” or “how long is your ‘payback time’ for energy efficient features?”.

That answer is pretty tough to answer in one sentence as well.

Scenario 1
If a builder thinks all this “green stuff” is a bunch of hooey and builds to the Construction Code and not a penny over it, chances are it will cost thousands of dollars to get to the level of green certification for LEED for Homes®, EPA ENERGY STAR®, and NAHB's Green Building program.

Scenario 2
If a builder does good work, builds a tight, efficient homes and is responsible with resources, then green shouldn’t cost that much more.

Scenario 3
If a builder (perhaps one named “GreenLife Homes™”) builds all homes to LEED for Homes®, EPA ENERGY STAR®, and NAHB's Green Building program, then green is their baseline. You can go up from there depending on just how green you’d like to be, but you’ll know that you start out with a healthy, green home you can afford.

We aren't snobby enough to think we are the only builder in America who can build you a healthy, green home. But we are willing to give you our honest, best effort. No hidden motives. We just want to build your family a home we can be proud of.

Okay, you want actual numbers. Well here is what I was told at the US Green Build Council's LEED for Homes® class regarding pricing:



So the money you save every month on energy and water will make up for the increased monthly cost on your mortgage payment. Looks like a wash. Under this scenario, you get your "energy efficiency payback" every month!

GreenLife Homes™ only builds homes that are certified by a third party under programs such as LEED for Homes®, EPA ENERGY STAR®, and NAHB's Green Building program. So when you compare our product to other builders, make sure they are building to the same level of sustainability, otherwise you may not have a realistic comparison.
Bottom line: Make sure you make a decision based on good research and not by comparing apples to lemons.