Comments on: What do Green Consultants and Brain Surgeons Have in Common? http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2010/04/02/what-do-green-consultants-and-brain-surgeons-have-in-common/ Learn, Network, Invest Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:59:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Allison A. Bailes III, PhDhttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2010/04/02/what-do-green-consultants-and-brain-surgeons-have-in-common/#comment-81075 Allison A. Bailes III, PhD Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:36:14 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/?p=12231#comment-81075 Interesting approach. I like the inclusion of so many different pieces in the package you offer, Jim. I'd like to make two recommendations for any homeowners or homebuyers:1. You can finance a lot of this work with an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM), sometimes called an Energy Improvement Mortgage (EIM). See this description of them for more info: http://www.energyvanguard.com/energy-efficient-mortgage/. You can also use a 203k loan to cover improvements not allowed by an EEM, and they can be used in combination.2. There are two certifications for home energy auditors: RESNET/HERS and BPI. Before hiring someone for an energy audit, ask if they have one or both certifications. If they don't, they may not have much understanding of building science and may not even know how to do diagnostic testing for infiltration and duct leakage. Interesting approach. I like the inclusion of so many different pieces in the package you offer, Jim. I’d like to make two recommendations for any homeowners or homebuyers:

1. You can finance a lot of this work with an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM), sometimes called an Energy Improvement Mortgage (EIM). See this description of them for more info: http://www.energyvanguard.com/energy-efficient-mortgage/. You can also use a 203k loan to cover improvements not allowed by an EEM, and they can be used in combination.

2. There are two certifications for home energy auditors: RESNET/HERS and BPI. Before hiring someone for an energy audit, ask if they have one or both certifications. If they don’t, they may not have much understanding of building science and may not even know how to do diagnostic testing for infiltration and duct leakage.

]]> By: Stuart Cowanhttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2010/04/02/what-do-green-consultants-and-brain-surgeons-have-in-common/#comment-81043 Stuart Cowan Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:07:32 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/?p=12231#comment-81043 Jim Simcoe makes some great points about selecting green consultants that can genuinely increase real estate values, tap into available resources, and make sensible choices about what kind (if any) of certification to pursue. However, often the best green consulting studies are ignored or only partially carried out because of the specialized project management skills required to coordinate multiple contractors in a busy building. Full lifecycle green retrofit providers can determine the optimal portfolio of retrofit measures based on a client’s internal investment models, manage the retrofit and commissioning process, and even stay on board for long-term green operations and maintenance. Some are even offering external financing options that eliminate any upfront cost to owners. Jim Simcoe makes some great points about selecting green consultants that can genuinely increase real estate values, tap into available resources, and make sensible choices about what kind (if any) of certification to pursue. However, often the best green consulting studies are ignored or only partially carried out because of the specialized project management skills required to coordinate multiple contractors in a busy building. Full lifecycle green retrofit providers can determine the optimal portfolio of retrofit measures based on a client’s internal investment models, manage the retrofit and commissioning process, and even stay on board for long-term green operations and maintenance. Some are even offering external financing options that eliminate any upfront cost to owners.

]]> By: Jim Simcoehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2010/04/02/what-do-green-consultants-and-brain-surgeons-have-in-common/#comment-80839 Jim Simcoe Mon, 05 Apr 2010 20:16:25 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/?p=12231#comment-80839 Hi Josh,Annual cost savings should be in the 30-75% range.Thanks..jim .-= Jim Simcoe´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.jimsimcoe.com/2010/03/29/hiring-a-sustainability-consultant/" rel="nofollow">Hiring a Sustainability Consultant</a> =-. Hi Josh,

Annual cost savings should be in the 30-75% range.

Thanks..jim
.-= Jim Simcoe´s last blog ..Hiring a Sustainability Consultant =-.

]]> By: Joshua Dorkinhttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2010/04/02/what-do-green-consultants-and-brain-surgeons-have-in-common/#comment-80837 Joshua Dorkin Mon, 05 Apr 2010 19:18:42 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/?p=12231#comment-80837 That's definitely helpful, Jim. What kind of annual cost savings could a quality consultant expect to help a homeowner/landlord achieve? That’s definitely helpful, Jim. What kind of annual cost savings could a quality consultant expect to help a homeowner/landlord achieve?

]]> By: Jim Simcoehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2010/04/02/what-do-green-consultants-and-brain-surgeons-have-in-common/#comment-80831 Jim Simcoe Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:51:18 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/?p=12231#comment-80831 hey Josh,Thanks for the question. The fees typically depend on the scope of the project. A really simple strategy on a single family residential can cost anywhere from $350-$1000. Some consultants bill hourly (I don't) and they usually charge $50-$75/hour.For what's it worth I base my fees on how much money I am saving for the client and always shoot for a very high ROI on my services.Hope that answers your questions..Jim hey Josh,

Thanks for the question. The fees typically depend on the scope of the project. A really simple strategy on a single family residential can cost anywhere from $350-$1000. Some consultants bill hourly (I don’t) and they usually charge $50-$75/hour.

For what’s it worth I base my fees on how much money I am saving for the client and always shoot for a very high ROI on my services.

Hope that answers your questions..Jim

]]> By: Joshua Dorkinhttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2010/04/02/what-do-green-consultants-and-brain-surgeons-have-in-common/#comment-80809 Joshua Dorkin Sun, 04 Apr 2010 18:58:43 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/?p=12231#comment-80809 Hey Jim - What does a green consultant typically cost? Hey Jim – What does a green consultant typically cost?

]]>