Another important consideration when hiring a General Contractor is that his/her company has the ability to handle the particular size and scope of your project. A GENERAL CONTRACTOR (GC) with a large resource base of architects, suppliers, and subcontractors, add value immediately to the project. Never hire a builder or GC without knowing that their license is active.

• Additions: Additions are the best way to stay in your existing home while adding living space. With this type of renovation, a homeowner can expand on their existing home without uprooting their family. Different types of additions include Building up, Building out, adding a new garage, and/or putting on an exterior deck.
• Finishing basements: A finished basement is another way to provide extra living space in a home. Adding a laundry room and/or creating a play area (club space) for children or grandchildren are common uses for finished basements. This is another type of popular renovation for people who want to stay put, but need that extra space. A finished basement can add a good return value onto your home.
• Energy-Star Retrofits: When being more energy efficient is of concern, or when saving money on utility costs sounds appealing, this is a desirable renovation. Ways to achieve Energy Star certification are through insulation, window and exterior door replacement, and air sealing. Harbor Builders works with energy star consultants to obtain final Energy Star certification for Residential Projects in Washington, DC, Baltimore, and Central Maryland.
• Kitchen and Bath Renovations: Kitchen and bath renovations improve the aesthetics and quality of a home, while also increasing its value. Harbor has experience with custom kitchen work including installing granite and marble countertops, replacing appliances, and modernizing fixtures and finishes.
• Minor Upgrades or Repairs: Minor upgrades or repairs to a home may include masonry repairs, new mechanical systems -adding a tankless hot water heater (an energy cost saver vs. a traditional hot water heater), or putting in a central air system.With extensive experience in Interior/Exterior remodeling projects and licenses in both Washington, DC and Maryland, Harbor Builders, LLC is a capable General Contractor (GC) and Builder for projects of any size. Harbor has most recently completed interior and exterior renovation projects for clients in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Baltimore City and in Northwest, Washington, D.C.

The basic steps are outlined below:

1. Perform Vision Casting & Budgeting. We meet with you to understand every detail of what you want, and what your budget will allow. A prospective budget for the project is prepared and reviewed with you.
2. Commission Architectural Drawings. With your input, experienced architects will produce professional drawings for your project. By detailing our drawings, we prevent costly delays and unexpected surprises for you down the road.
3.  Select Products & Materials. A meeting takes place in our show room, where you view different options of products and materials. You get to fully customize your project.
4. On-site Meeting and Analyzing Bids. The Harbor Development team conducts an on-site “Q&A” session with subcontractors and suppliers. We require everyone to comply with our proprietary, standardized methodology for submitting bids, which allows for competitive pricing on your project.
5. Establish Project Timeline & Finalize Budget. Timeline estimates are entered into our Project Scheduling tool. We know how long the project will take, and can predict and avoid potential points of delay. Being on time is always our #1 priority.
6. Project Scheduling and Construction. We use sophisticated project management software to create a custom schedule for your project. We are able to pinpoint at any given moment what is happening on your project, and what will happen next.
7. Celebrate Your New Space. Whether you’re turning the key in the front door to your new custom home, or crossing the threshold to your new addition — welcome to your new space.

• Sourcing green building materials
• Managing construction waste
• Installing green building materials
• Advising on the constructibility of green systems
• Working with the design team in the planning phase of the project

The contractor has relationships with design professionals that are also committed to building green, such as Energy Star Consultants, as well as vendors and suppliers who offer energy efficient materials.

Green contractors “think green” from the time a project begins, though the final stages of the project. Green contractors make recommendations even before architectural plans are complete regarding efficient plumbing systems, window placements, and rooflines. During the material selection phase, green general contractors are mindful of such factors as indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency, and this guides them when selecting materials and appliances.

A green general contractor is knowledgeable and experienced in using green construction materials and methods. Let’s start out by talking about green materials. Both the contractor and Architect have to work together in the planning phase of the project and be committed to green. The designer must be environmental continuous in his design; utilize south light, efficient window systems, efficient wall assemblies, HVAC systems and water heaters.

The contractor will have relationships with design professionals that are also committed to building green, such as Energy Star Consultants, as well as vendors and suppliers who offer energy efficient materials. Green contractors “think green” from the time a project begins, though the final stages of the project. Green contractors make recommendations even before architectural plans are complete regarding efficient plumbing systems, window placements, and rooflines. During the material selection phase, green general contractors are mindful of such factors as indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency, and this guides them when selecting materials and Energy Star appliances to show their client.

• Better air circulation: temperature regulation means a more balanced indoor environment with stable temperatures and light throughout, and less wasted air.
• Improvements in energy efficiency also tend to improve air quality and circulation, which add a significant level of comfort for the occupant.
• Materials used in Green building are more durable and do not need to be replaced as often.
• Green Buildings are on average 60% more energy efficient leading to a dramatic decrease in utility bills for the occupant.

The owner can feel good about a commitment to having a responsible symbiotic relationship with the environment.

Green buildings are very marketable and tend to produce higher rent and/or increase re-sale value. If the owner chooses to lease the property, he or she will see the property lease up faster and achieve higher rental rates compared to other properties. In the event of a sale, the owner will might see higher resale price.

Energy Star and LEED aim for efficiency improvements of at least 15 percent over conventional construction — and both programs can earn a variety of tax credits and other incentives.(1)
The benefits that come from reducing pollutants and waste on our environment is perhaps the greatest reward and motivation of all for building green.

1. Zeller, Tom. “Can We Build in a Brighter Shade of Green?” NY Times. N.p., 9 Sept. 2010. Web.