Going green is not only a great choice for the Earth it's also a big seller for custom home builders. Eco-friendly options abound for custom home builders: Save water in the kitchen, reduce electricity use in the office and cut back on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in building materials.

Custom home developers employ a multitude of techniques to decrease a home's carbon footprint. Some of the most common steps are installing solar panels and energy-efficient appliances and using low-flow toilets. But, there is much more available to developers of custom homes, such as installing a LiveRoof, using recycled building materials and installing radiant floors.

1. Educate yourself on the requirements to become a green custom home builder and to understand the constantly evolving greener home options.

2. Find local providers of eco-friendly materials. In custom home development, a contractor is more likely to keep customers happy by providing many options.

3. Custom home community developers benefit from building green homes because the entire neighborhood boasts a low carbon footprint.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Join a green building organization and increase your knowledge of green custom homes

The mark of qualified green custom home developers is a certification or membership with a green building organization. The U.S. Green Building Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to making green buildings more available. USGBC offers Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) reference guides and certification. This green building rating system uses four ratings--certified, silver, gold and platinum--and LEED-accreditation proves that you are a qualified green custom home developer. With this accreditation, you can provide customers the highest quality and most energy-efficient custom homes available. Build It Green offers member benefits such as discounts on educational opportunities, advertisement on its website and much more.

I recommend: Try downloadable tools at Natural Resources Defense Council. Register with the USGBC Become a Build It Green member to learn more about training seminars and green products.

Select green custom homes development contractors and suppliers

You can't be a green custom home developer without green contractors and suppliers.

I recommend: Visit GreenSource for a green contractor directory. Check out Green Building Supply to buy flooring, air purifiers and many more green building supplies.

Cut back on VOCs and increase renewable resources in your custom home

In custom home development, green materials are a necessity. They are also hot on the market. Using green and recycled materials cuts back on the VOCs that pollute the air and reuses materials that otherwise would end up in the city dump.

I recommend: Check out Greenhomebuilding.com for a list of sources for natural building materials. Visit EcoTimber Flooring to find a local dealer of EcoTimber products. EcoTimber offers LEED-approved materials. To help create energy efficient floor plans, use an energy simulation software such as eQUEST.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Green custom homes are often unorthodox, using recycled glass or rubber tires as the exterior of the home. The key to attracting customers seeking greener homes is applying ingenuity and durability.