Services

Design and bidding. I assemble a design team of the owner, a designer, often an interior designer and myself. I have worked with and can recommend several designers, from draftspersons to architects, to work directly with the owner. I make the design phase more efficient by keeping the project within the owners’ budget, contributing my experience in technical design and pricing, and avoiding time-consuming and expensive rebidding. When the plans are final I develop a list of costs for the design.
Construction. As a general contractor, I assemble a team of sub-contractors and manage the construction or renovation of your home. Every new home is “commissioned” — receiving a comprehensive performance test by an independent auditor, so that you are assured that all the energy related systems of your home are performing as expected.

I’m available for consultation on home performance problems, such as moisture, durability, indoor air quality, lack of comfort and excessive energy bills.

I rely on an independent firm to diagnose and quantify home performance issues. This thorough testing examines the building envelope – walls, roof, floor, windows and doors, and pinpoints air leaks and lack of insulation with thermal imaging. Testing also includes the heating and cooling systems and airflow in all of the ductwork. I can arrange for and coordinate the work to remedy the problems identified.

I am delighted to speak to groups of interested homeowners and industry professionals on most aspects of energy efficient and environmentally friendly home building. I chair IAEE, the Iowa Association for Energy Efficiency and am a board member of IRENEW, the Iowa Renewable Energy Association, and past board member of EEBA, the Energy and Environmental Building Association.