Going green is bigger than ever but still some people worry that adding a little green to their next remodeling project will cost them extra money and cause more hassle than they can really handle. In the case of many elements of green remodeling though the exact opposite is actually true.

Here are some green remodeling projects that will actually put money back into your wallet while making your life a little easier at the same time.

Installing High Efficiency Windows

The new generation of energy efficient windows can cut your energy costs by as much as a whopping 50% annually, which means they will literally pay for themselves in a few short years.

If you are in the market for new windows you need to be looking for multiple paned windows, low e coatings, insulated frames and gas fills.

You should also keep in mind that good installation is every bit as important when it comes to achieving the highest possible levels of energy efficiency so make sure you are dealing with a reputable window installation company you can trust.

Installing A High Efficiency Heating System

This is another green improvement that can save you a small fortune on energy bills as well as help the environment by cutting down on fuel consumption. Look for a heating system that has AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) ratings of 90 or better and, again, remember that a poor installation job will sabotage all your efforts and investment.

Get New Kitchen Appliances

Just because that ten year old refrigerator can still do its job does not mean that it should. The new breed of Energy Star rated dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines and clothes dryers can help you score up to $500 in extra energy savings for every year that they are on the job.

Go Low Flow

Wasting water is as bad as wasting energy and the average home still wastes a lot of it. Low flow toilets and showers will help to reduce your water usage a lot and the newest models are every bit as efficient as their water guzzling older counterparts. How much water can you save? A lot. For example, just the simple act of installing a low flow shower head can cut your water bill by a third.

Insulate, Insulate and Insulate Some More

All the high efficiency windows, heating systems  and appliances in the world are not much good if your home is not properly insulated. Leaky windows and doors, and poorly insulated attic spaces are some of the most common causes of energy inefficient homes, so those are good places to start.

To be truly sure that your home is up to speed consider calling in a professional to conduct a full energy audit and help you determine where and how you should be adding extra insulation.

All of these are great measures and many of them come with an extra added bonus – tax rebates and allowances. Make sure you ask about all of them when you are making your purchases and then actually remember to file for them when tax time comes around!

Just because you have had to revise the amount you feel comfortable spending on your planned remodeling and the budget has shrunk a bit does not mean you have to give up on the idea of that great new kitchen, bathroom or basement renovation. All you really have to do is choose your options a little more carefully. Here are some tips to help you do so.

Go with Laminate, not Hardwood Flooring – You desperately want a hardwood floor for your new kitchen but the prices are making you cringe. Laminate is one of the most durable and versatile flooring options available today and in many cases it is very hard to tell it is not real hardwood. Apart from its lower price tag, choosing laminate over hardwood should also cut down on installation costs as it is far easier to lay than solid hardwood.

Reface Not Replace – If your kitchen or even bathroom cabinets are in generally good shape and you simply want something that looks more stylish, having your cabinets refaced rather than outright replacing them can save you a fortune.

Choose Fiberglass for the Bathtub – Rather than opting for ceramic tile, consider instead using a one-piece fiberglass unit or three-piece fiberglass wall panels to surround your bathtub. There are some very attractive options available and you will save a lot on installation costs as they can be installed in just a few hours.

Opt for Hollow Core Doors – If your remodel includes new interior doors opting for hollow core doors over solid ones will save money. One note though – hollow core doors are not a good choice for exterior doors as thy lack the security of their heavier counterparts.

Use Pre Finished Trim – If you opt for some of the wide variety of pre-finished trim options that many manufacturers offer, your contractor won’t have to spend time painting or staining it, which will cut labor costs down considerably.

Whatever your remodeling project may be, in order for it to be a success you cannot simply hire a remodeling contractor and then disappear, expecting to come back a few weeks later to a brand new kitchen or whatever it is you are hiring them to do. As the homeowner and technically an employer at this point, it is essential you stay involved every step of the way.

One of the most important conversations you can have with your contractor is the one about house rules. Define the hours that are suitable for them to actually come to work. Most contractors like to get started early in the morning but if you don’t want them to show up until you have had time for a couple of cups of java let him know right from the start.

You also need to decide whether or not you want workers in your home when you are not there (after all most families are two income these days) If you decide its okay or really can’t take two weeks off work and have no choice, you need to define what is and isn’t alright for the remodeling contractor and his employees to do. For instance, if you would prefer that they stay out of your master bathroom and use the one downstairs make that clear, they won’t be offended and it will avoid uncomfortable misunderstandings once the project is underway.

If there are pets and or small children in the house it is really your responsibility to make sure that they stay safe during the course of the remodeling project. If you have to leave your pets in the house make sure they are secured away from all the action but that the people working in your house know where they are, so that someone does not accidentally open a door that should have remained closed and Fluffy gets out and gets lost or hurt.

Children should be kept away too. Kids are curious creatures and all the activity could look like something they would love to explore but of course they too could get hurt. Before the remodeling work begins explain what will be going on to your children and then make a plan for what they will do and where they should play when the work begins.

Once the project is underway it’s a good idea to keep a casual eye on things but try not to get in the way too much. If you have a concern or question it is fine to voice it but second guessing every move the remodeling contractor makes will drive him insane and get you marked down as a “problem client”.

Finally, when the work is complete review it all carefully and if you see something wrong say so while your contractor is still there, rather than three weeks down the line when he has gone on to other jobs and will not have the time to come back and fix the problem for months. And of course if you’re happy with their work, tell them. Like anyone else , they are people trying to do a good job and they take great pride in what they do for a living too.

One of the biggest considerations any homeowner has to look at when planning larger remodeling projects such as a new kitchen, bathroom or a room addition is exactly how they are going to pay for it all. There are several ways of doing so, all coming with their own set of pros and cons. Here are the most popular and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Cash – Not literally of course, you should never pay your contractor with the actual folding stuff but, if you can save up the money to pay for your remodeling project, you will essentially be cutting the cost of the project as you will not be accumulating interest charges on borrowed money. Most reputable contractors agree to a payment schedule with various amounts due at set points in the project’s progress, which will give you time to put in a few extra hours at the office to pay for it all.

Second Mortgages and Home Equity Loans – Many homeowners choose to take out a second mortgage on their homes to pay for larger remodeling projects. Others opt instead for a home equity loan, which is a line of credit that is secured against your home and accessible when it comes time to pay your contractors. These loans still tend to have fairly low interest rates but there is a danger that you may spend more than you really need to so you should certainly proceed with caution.

Sweat Equity – It is a rare remodeling project that can be paid for in full in this manner but you may be able to slice a chunk off the final bill by pitching in and literally lending a hand. This could include getting a discount because you agree to deal with all the cleanup or, if you are a DIY fan, doing some of the easier work yourself.

However you choose to pay for your remodeling project, sticking to your original budget as closely as possible is essential. It is easy to get sidetracked and spend more than you intended as the project progresses. Before you do, consider if the return on your investment is going to be worth it; you may love that retro refrigerator that costs considerably more than the model you originally picked out but it will do very little to add to the value of your home.

Choosing the right remodeling contractor is not always easy. Most professionals are honest, diligent and hardworking but, just like in any other industry, there are one or two bad eggs. Here are some signs that you may be dealing with one of them.

Scare Tactics – When looking at the roof of your home (which has been a bit leaky recently) the contractor says things like

Well, that chimney looks like it’s about to fall on someone’s head. That would be a big lawsuit. Better start tomorrow or someone will be a goner.

If a contractor uses scare tactics like this the best thing to do is to avoid him. Even if a repair is urgent a good remodeler will not use these kinds of doom and gloom tactics to get your business. They may indeed point out the possible consequences that could arise if the repair is not made; for instance “your roof could develop some leaks within the next year” is a reasonable statement for a good contractor to make to a prospective client but “that roof is about to cave in” is not.

Hasty Quotes – The contractor pulls a grubby notebook from his back pocket, scribbles a few hieroglyphics and proclaims “I figure $9,800 should do it.” If this scenario occurs when you are requesting a remodeling estimate,  show the contractor the door and start your search again.

Reliable contractors do not doodle estimates on pieces of paper but instead thoroughly examine the problem and provide a written breakdown of the cost for labor and parts written on letterhead and back at their office, not while standing on your front lawn.

Refusing to Provide References – If a contractor is reluctant to provide proper, checkable references using lines such as “we don’t give out customer names. We respect their privacy. You understand, don’t you love?, move on. A satisfied customer is usually happy to provide a referral for a job well done and a good contractor will have obtained their permission to share their information.

Payment Up Front – The contractor says that the cost of the materials to be used in your remodeling project are expensive and he is going to need payment up front to get the job started. This is one of the loudest warning bells you will ever hear when it comes to remodeling and contractor scams.

Reliable contractors have accounts with their suppliers and once a contract is signed between the homeowner and the contractor for the work to begin they may well ask for a down payment – about 30% is usual – but never for the full amount on day one.

Shady Stuff – “I’ll give you a good deal if you pay cash” the contractor says and indeed the figure he mentions sounds good, but do not be tempted. If a contractor wants cash that usually means he wants to avoid paying taxes or worse, he plans on moving to another state next week. Problem is, you will have no real record of the payments made (anyone can buy a receipt book from Staples) and if something goes wrong you won’t have a legal leg to stand on.

When remodeling contractors are hired, every remodeling project should be guided by one essential tool, the remodeling contract.

If you were to do a little detective work you would find many horror stories on the net about what happened to homeowners who failed to insist on a proper contract being executed before their remodeling project began and almost as many stories about contractors left footing the bill when homeowners make change after change to the original plans.

A solid remodeling contract protects both parties involved in the transaction and any good remodeling contractor will not only be happy to draw one up but will actually insist upon it.

What should be in that contract? At very least the following:

• The date the contract is being executed
• Names and addresses of all parties plus phone, fax, and email contact details
• Contractor’s License Status and Number
• Description of the property, including the street address or lot number
• Planned start and completion date of the remodeling project
• A complete descriptive narrative of the work to be completed, including all drawings, plans and blueprints
• The total monetary amount of the contract
• The terms of the payment schedule
• Any liability waivers
• Policy regarding change orders
• Specifications for all products, fixtures, fittings and appliances to be installed
• A clear substitution policy
• Exclusions to the contract
• Authorized delay conditions
• Penalties or fines for non-compliance and non-performance by the contractor or nonpayment on the part of the homeowner
• Written agreements covering what licenses and permits need to be obtained and by whom
• Warranty and guarantee conditions

This is the bare minimum that should be included, larger projects may well involve even more detail.

Most remodeling contractors are used to drawing up a contract that covers both the homeowner and themselves fairly but, if you have any doubts about the contract you are being asked to sign, consult with an attorney before you sign on the dotted line.

If you are considering commissioning a larger remodeling project such as an attic makeover, it is always a good idea to do some research on your local real estate market to find out if your project is likely to produce a good return on your investment when it is time to sell. Larger remodeling projects should really only be undertaken when you intend to stay in your current home for several years but it still doesn’t hurt to look to the future.

The latest nationwide figures published in the 2009 Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value report provides a little insight for homeowners into which remodeling projects provide the best return on average.

The big surprise for many last year was just how popular attic additions and remodels had become and just how much of a great investment they could represent. 1n 2008/2009 the average attic remodel scored a 83.1% cost recoup rate. As a comparison, kitchen remodeling was found to have a recoup rate of 57.9% of the investment with bathrooms just beating that with 61.6%.

With that in mind, if you are looking to add extra functional space attic conversions can be a great way to do just that. There are a number of things to consider before you commission the project and hire a contractor though.

The first thing you need to determine is what exactly you want to use the space for. Do you want it to be a master bedroom, a guest bedroom, a kids playroom, a cozy library, or a home office?  Quite often these spaces make for a unique loft that you can use as a multimedia entertainment area or game room. In fact, if you think about the attic space in the same way as you would a basement, even more  new ideas might begin to pop up – a pool table, a wet bar, or even a small apartment for an adult child returning to the nest, which is quite a common occurrence these days.

Once you have decided what you want to use the attic for it is time to call in some contractors to walk the space with you and help figure out what is and is not possible and, of course, what it all might cost.

There can often be obstacles to overcome when converting an attic that do not arise during a basement remodel. For example, the pitch of the roof may present problems, extra windows or skylights have to be added and how the attic is space is eventually going to be accessed is a big part of the planning process as well.

The contractor you pick (see Hiring a Residential Contractor for info on that) should also pay attention to making sure that the finished space is up to code and will pass a building inspection. There are a number of specific building codes that apply to attics but a good remodeling contractor will be aware of them all and how to meet them effectively.

Once all the details are ironed out and the work finally begins, attic conversions are a fun and unique way to add useful, livable square footage to your home, as well as provide a good return on all the money you invested if and when you decide to move on.