An article in a recent issue of Constructor Magazine, the publication of the AGC of America, makes a point that I have been making for a while, namely that sustainable building is here to stay.

The article quotes several contractor members of the AGC and essentially concludes that

Green is the new gold

I agree. Especially in tough economic times such as these, contractors and subcontractors need to distinguish themselves. Owners need to save money through more sustainable and energy efficient practices. Possibly more importantly, government is jumping into the breach to require such building practices, whether through building codes or LEED certification requirements.

Not only is such activity a moral imperative, but it makes good economic sense. For this reason construction professionals must learn how to “talk the talk” of sustainability. To miss this train could mean bankruptcy or worse given current trends.

Of course the risks must be taken into account. Contracts must be drafted in such a way that those performing the work are not held accountable for uncontrollable human interaction with a building so that contractors and subcontractors will be ready to do what is necessary for a sustainable building future. A qualified construction attorney can help.

In short (like that isn’t too late at this point), while construction professionals must learn to build “green” to survive, they also need to make sure they don’t die trying.

As always, I strongly encourage comments below. Also, please check out my Construction Law Musings for other information on sustainable building and other construction topics.