Go gently on the site
Careful planning and supervision can minimize disturbances to the building site.
Damage during construction must be repaired later, and in some cases may be irreversible. Strategies include making designated parking areas, storing building materials inside a garage, and protecting trees with fences established at the drip line. On undisturbed sites, protect native vegetation. Consider incentives for excavation contractors to protect the site (or penalties for damage). Where disruptions are unavoidable, existing plants can be relocated. Measures to control erosion during construction should be taken, and and check to see that heavy equipment isn't leaking fuel or hydraulic fluid.
Green points
LEED for HomesLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED for Homes is the residential green building program from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). While this program is primarily designed for and applicable to new home projects, major gut rehabs can qualify.
: Prerequisites include erosion control during construction; 1 point for developing a tree or plant preservation plan or following one of several other guidelines to minimize the amount of land that is disturbed (SS 1).
NGBSNational Green Building Standard Based on the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and passed through ANSI. This standard can be applied to both new homes, remodeling projects, and additions.
/ICC-700: 12 points for meeting several erosion control guidelines (403.4); 25 points for meeting various requirements to protect vegetation and trees (403.6, 404.2), 22 points for meeting various requirements to limit soil disturbance and erosion (404.3).
Learn more in the Green Building Encyclopedia
Further resources
