What should be expected from a contractor?

• Ensure that the managing company and/or maintenance contractor has a good understanding of, and commitment to, sustainable projects and has been demonstrably successful. This would involve checking the quality of previous work and whether ISO-14001 certification has been gained.
• Require that locally sourced materials, local labour and skills training is used wherever possible.
• Put in measures to monitor environmental performance and ensure that actions are taken if targets are not met.
• Ensure that sufficient funds are made available for medium to long term management of habitats created as a result of development schemes.

How does the choice of materials/appliances affect maintenance?

• Assess future maintenance needs and ease of replacement, and devise a realistic maintenance programme at the design stage.
• Choose longer lasting materials and appliances (where costs permit) that can save on operational and repair costs over time. Techniques of life cycle costing will become steadily more sophisticated.
• Simplify heating controls, perhaps via zoning arrangements, and install accessible metering. (See Building Design and Specification).
• Beware of "maintenance-free" products that often involve the replacement of whole components rather than partial repair. Keep and check all manufacturers’ servicing schedules.
• Avoid herbicides and fertilisers that can damage soils and habitats. (See also Biodiversity).
• Adjust maintenance regimes to encourage wildlife and plant diversity

To what extent can future occupiers be educated about the optimum management of new buildings?

• For larger schemes, consider training sessions or courses where key occupiers or managers can be ‘targeted’.
• Provide a handover manual/ householders’ pack with particular emphasis on sustainable practices.This should clearly explain operating instructions for any innovative or unfamiliar systems, with the option of a demonstration at handover.
• Ensure active user or resident involvement in the management of larger developments, for example, in the analysis of energy and water meter readings, in saving waste and in the upkeep of grounds / gardens.
• Encourage evaluation and feedback about living and working conditions, especially if users were involved in the design process.
• Beware of undertaking repairs or making changes purely for cosmetic reasons.