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.

Rendering of what will be known as "Point Sea"

At the northern edge of the Barnegat Bay, a mixed-use commercial and residential building is currently undergoing massive renovations and remodeling. The building and surrounding property that sits on Mantoloking Road in Brick will soon be a showcase for leading sustainable and green technologies. The first floor of the building will be a commercial property, the second floor, residential.  Now known as “Point Sea,” it is the mastermind of the area’s premier architect and green builder, Paul Barlo.

GreenWorks Environmental was proud to be part of the wetlands restoration aspect of the project. The wetlands that buffer Barnegat Bay along the southern edge of the property are extremely sensitive and important to the quality of the bay and the surrounding environment. The restoration project increased the total amount of wetlands, improved the wetlands’ long-term viability and enhanced the environment to better reflect its original state. Of course, the wetlands will do their work and filter out pollutants, act as a natural buffer and provide habitat for many indigenous species.

Here are some the green technological highlights being deployed at Point Sea.

The front of Point Sea

Outside
Wetlands Restoration – Improves water quality, protects Barnegat Bay and provides a permanent wetlands to a sensitive and critically important buffer area.

Shell Driveway – Driveway is permeable meaning that water can flow through the surface and to the soil below. This improves stormwater quality. No paving on site.

Rainwater Harvesting – Provides a renewable source of water for landscaping, plant beds, flowers. Water bills are also reduces as the need for municipal water for lawns declines.

Solar Panels – Installed on an outdoor trellis, solar panels will provide 10KW of renewable, green energy to the residential property on the second floor.

Wind Turbine – Installed behind the main building, a wind turbine will provide 10KW of renewable, green energy to the commercial property on the first floor.

Point Sea from behind. This portion of the building faces Barnegat Bay.

Inside
High-Efficiency Heating, Venting and Air Conditioning – HVAC system improves indoor air quality and reduces energy consumption.

Foamed-In Insulation – Ensures year-round comfort and lowers energy bills.

LED Lighting – Drastically reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

Paints and Finishings Made From Non-Volatile Organic Compounds – Improve indoor air quality and health of the entire building….along with all its occupants!

Savant Home Automation System – Keeps all the home’s system continuously performing at their most efficient, saving money and guaranteeing peace of mind.

Bamboo Flooring – Harvested from sustainable sources while being extremely durable and attractive.

Non-Formaldehyde Cabinets - Give off very low toxins compared to cabinets that use formaldehyde.

Sun-Sensing Shades – Provide cool relief in the summer and warm comfort in the winter…automatically.

As you can see, Point Sea is a extremely innovative, environmentally-conscious “super green” project!The Jersey Shore hasn’t seen anything quite like this yet. It’s not only a visionary display of what’s possible, it’s also an inspiration to see how we can better live in balance with our environment.

Stay tuned for further updates as the Point Sea project progresses.

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.

New Online Permitting from NJDEP

A new electronic permitting program offered by the state Department of Environmental (DEP) Protection was successfully utilized for a GreenWorks-led project on Barnegat Bay. The new on-line coastal general permit program is the first of its kind for the DEP’s Land Use Regulation Program. Property owners or their contractors can apply on-line for permits and within minutes get decisions on projects to replace bulkheads with identically sized bulkheads or to replace docks in man-made lagoons.

That’s precisely what happened when GreenWorks was one of the first to use the web-based permitting system for a client in Brick. A bulkhead replacement and new dock project moved along efficiently once the required state permits were electronically acquired. The residential project would’ve taken weeks, if not months, under the previous paper-based system. The online permitting system provided by DEP is a welcome solution for projects that have minimal environmental impact but can tie up DEP resources that could be better used elsewhere, as DEP Commissioner Bob Martin stated.

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.

Initially, the deal almost didn’t happen when mold was discovered in the home. GreenWorks, a certified mold remediator in the state of New Jersey, was brought in to assess the situation and resolve the mold issue. Mold represents a potentially dangerous threat inside a home. Indoor air quality is negatively impacted by mold that can lead to respiratory conditions and potentially unhealthy air in the home. GreenWorks was able to remediate the mold and provided post-remediation sampling, demonstrating to the home seller and buyer that the issue was resolved.

The deal moved ahead, and buyer and seller were very happy with the outcome.

Don’t let mold or other environmental issues scuttle a home or property purchase. As soon as those issues surface, contact GreenWorks for a thorough assessment of the situation and a complete cleanup solution that will get the transaction back on track.

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!