My electric bill? Yikes. My water bill? Yikes. Seriously, prices aren’t just going up on groceries, they’re going up on everything. I’m totally scared to see what my bill is going to look like this summer.

I’m thinking investing some money now will save money in the long run. There are several things to do to save here, that also are good for the environment, like using recycled greywater or installing solar panels. It’s actually not as cost prohibitive as one might think- check the links.

And how does one save money on this kind of remodeling? This post at the Calfinder blog has some great ideas:

Selecting the right contractor for the job is a big step – although the guy that will work the cheapest isn’t necessary the best man for the job. That is why it is important to get at least three estimates to compare
and contrast each contractor’s price, quality of work, and reputation.
With a good selection, you should be able to find just the right guy to
save money and still get quality work accomplished.

Another way to save money is to take the time to shop around for the best deals on materials. Your
contractor may be able to help you in this area by getting discounts
from preferred suppliers. Additionally, many suppliers actually court
the bigger contractors, trying to get their business, and, in the
process, offer significant discounts. This is one benefit of choosing a
successful contractor that does a high-volume of work. If you have the
time, make it a fun weekend activity to shop sales and discount
warehouses to find deals on materials, fixtures, and appliances.

There’s a lot more at the actual post, but this is worth exploring. Finding a contractor that is right on the money, is trustworthy, and knows the business is so important. When I worked as a manager at an auto repair shop, we often had people come in with their cars that they had tried to fix, and failed. It ended up costing them way more money than if they had had a professional do the job right the first time.

There is plenty that you can DIY, but some things probably ought to be left up to the pros. Go with a pro for your green remodeling, and you can’t go wrong.