Everyone has questions. We have answers.

Have you ever picked up that phone and made the tough call to get help only to find out later that you didn’t know what you needed help with in the first place?

Let’s face it, we all have.

But when dealing with environmental matters, don’t become a victim of “DIY-itus.” Enviro issues are complex and the legislative, regulatory and municipal entanglements surrounding them even more so.

Consider mold, for instance. Did you know that many home owner insurance policies cover “water intrusion” which is a primary culprit in triggering mold growth? We do, and we write our reports to reflect that so your claim stands a better chance of being approved.

How about TCE? It’s the de-greasing agent in dry cleaning fluid (a real enviro nasty!). Groundwater contaminated by TCE does not break down naturally, and the surrounding neighborhood impacts can last for decades. Did you know that the contaminated groundwater “plume” moves over time and its residential “vapor intrusion” is the real hazard to homeowners. We do, and we detail the testing that’s potentially needed as part of a property transaction accordingly so that a proper assessment can be made and a deal can be done.

Got LUST? Leaking Underground Storage Tanks are a major headache to clean up. The tightly regulated tanks cost New Jersey homeowners millions every year. But, did you know that not all leaking underground storage tank are created equal? We do, and we quickly make that determination to aide in assessing potential impacts to a property which saves our clients time, expense and anxiety.

Want exceptional value?

Any firm that does not take the time to understand your overall project goal, in addition to what they were hired for, may not be giving you the service you thought you hired them for. GreenWorks understands that all decisions are strategic in nature, which is why we endeavor to give you only the service that you truly need. The success of your project, be it commercial or residential, is our #1 priority.

Property taxes are a major factor for homeowners in New Jersey

The world of municipal real estate tax appeals is unlike any other. Lawyers, politicians, residents and accountants all have a significant say not only in your property taxes, but also in the outcome of your property tax appeal. The deck is stacked against taxpayers before they even show up to their tax appeal.

How could that be?

A little something called the “Presumption of Correctness.”

The Presumption of Correctness is a legal doctrine in New Jersey that assumes the municipality is correct in how it levied its taxes against you. That means the default position where any tax appeal starts at is, you’re wrong. If the town had outdated information, improperly trained evaluators or just negligent or incompetent staff, unless you can prove otherwise, the town is presumed to be correct.

That’s a tough position for any homeowner to be in. You can see the results at the tax appeal hearings. The great mass of taxpayers’ appeals are routinely rejected because the town is presumed to be correct at the outset and the property owners are not properly armed with the data, evidence and facts needed to overcome the Presumption of Correctness. Overcoming the presumption of correctness is the golden key to winning your tax appeal.

But don’t take our word for it. Listen to what Sarah says about her tax appeal coordinated by GreenWorks.

Thankfully, he called GreenWorks.

We went to work immediately and coordinated with officials in Manasquan. The restoration work began and due to our highly-trained, productive team of professionals, the final price was 50% less than what was initially anticipated.

Additionally, the Borough of Manasquan was happy with the solution and the timeline met by GreenWorks, which was good news for the homeowner, for us and for local officials.

“GreenWorks was very cooperative and easy to work with,” said Patrick Callahan, heading of Zoning and Code Enforcement for the Borough of Manasquan. Callahan went on to say that working with GreenWorks was a “good experience” and the company did a good job presenting all the technical information and resolving the issue in a timely manner.

This example highlights an important issue that we encounter all the time: due diligence. A call to GreenWorks for an appropriate due diligence before the property purchase would’ve revealed the issues that were eventually required to be corrected.

When similar issues are revealed before purchasing a property, a due diligence investigation will identify them so the purchaser can make a fully informed decision.

A basic residential rainwater harvesting system

You probably know that rainwater harvesting is a smart step to a greener home and greener bank account. Using rainwater for watering and other residential uses conserves drinking water and lowers your water bill. It’s a win-win, especially for Jersey Shore residents who have high water bills.

But did you know that harvesting rainwater during storms and releasing slowly later on during non-storm events helps take the pressure off impaired waterways (like the Barnegat Bay) which get inundated with stormwater sheet flow from impervious surfaces. If every homeowner added a 50 gallon rain barrell to their property that quickly adds up to millions of gallons of water attenuation.

Now, GreenWorks is making it easier than ever to go green blue by giving away a free rainwater barrel for home use! The new rain barrel will introduce you to rainwater harvesting and begin saving you money right away.

How do you enter the contest?

1. Look for the free Coffee News publication at any of 800 local restaurants in Ocean and Monmouth County.

2. Find the GreenWorks ad and follow the directions to be entered into the drawing for a brand new, free rainwater barrel for rainwater harvesting at your home!

GreenWorks Environmental is a certified rainwater harvesting expert and is proud to work with RainXchange amongst other leading companies.

What can homeowners, business owners and concerned citizens do to have a positive impact on their environment AND their bottom line? Check out our 2011 Green Resolutions for ideas to get started!

1. Recycle Rainwater
2. Cook Local
3. Drive Green
4. Sip Energy
5. Reduce / Reuse / Recycle
6. Green Biz Strategy
7. Buy & Build Green
8. Plan Sustainably
9. Join a Community Supporter Agriculture Farm
10. Solarize

When the snow hits and our neighborhoods are covered in the white stuff, GreenWorks transforms into SnowWorks! Last year, we plowed and removed snow from residential and commercial properties throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

This year, we’re offering current clients and property owners a special “Snow Be Gone” package that will cover all your snow removal needs for one flat, affordable investment.

Let’s face it: if you’re negotiating a price to have snow removed from your property when there’s a foot of snow on the ground…well, as a property owner, you’re not exactly in the power position. Avoid the hassle of haggling then waiting for someone to show up. Take care of all your snow removal needs now, put some green back in your pocket and get the white stuff off your property this year without a care in the world…the SnowWorks way!

Welcome to autumn, one of our favorite times of the year!

Now, about that “backyard.”

Perhaps your backyard wasn’t all you hoped it would be over the summer. Those dreams of entertaining family and friends around a fire pit? Never happened. Converting that lawn to a “natural lawn”? Great idea. The cool embrace of the perfect pool on a hot summer day? Maybe next year.

Aha! Next year!

The time to plan for next year is now. Let’s face it, time passes faster than most of us would like. Before we know it, the holidays will be a memory and we’ll be thinking about Memorial Day cookouts. Let’s get the backyard ready for those cookouts and summer 2011 now.

A backyard upgrade or complete transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It’s important to have the time to do the proper planning and work that’s needed for a high-quality job that will provide decades of enjoyment. In fact, planning now can actually save you money in the long run by taking advantage of stock over-runs, end of year specials and advanced planning.

It’s time now to think about how you want to spend those summer afternoons next year. If you finally want to get more out of your backyard – more enjoyment, more value, more relaxation – then it’s time now to contact GreenWorks. Give Victor a call now at 732-223-2073.

This time next year, you’ll be glad you did.

The classes are expected to fill up fast with local environmental consultants, building service professionals, local municipal & county officials, green advocates and homeowners. The lectures and, accompanying information will be fully adaptable whether the end-use is residential, commercial, industrial or governmental. Even if you’re not currently planning to install a green roof on your property, the lectures will provide excellent, reliable information on green living and how simple lifestyle choices can make a big green difference for your home, your family and your community.

You can enroll online via the Ocean County College website. For more information or answers to your questions, please call the GreenWorks headquarters at 732-223-2073.