• The Environment
  
  
• Have you factored environmental considerations into your plans? See the S.F. Department of the Environment’s Home Remodeling: Green Building Guidelines. To find producers and sellers of eco-friendly construction materials, see Green Building Incentives. Plus, “Green Building Partners” lists even more resources.
  
  
• Read through the S.F. Public Utilities Commission’s How Your Home Projects Affect the Bay, even if you're only considering a small painting job. You’ll want to make sure that you’re disposing of toxic materials properly and not inadvertently polluting natural resources.
  
  
• Hazards
  
  
• Be aware of potential hazards in remodeling: for example, you don’t want to disturb asbestos insulation or lead-based paint. Unwittingly knocking out or modifying weight-bearing walls can also pose a serious danger. For more information, see AsktheBuilder.com’s various articles on load-bearing walls.
  
  
• Finally, if you need a “bin-by-the-day” or a “debris box” for all that you’re replacing, contact your regular trash collector –– request an online quote from Sunset Scavenger Company or Golden Gate Disposal at (888) 404-4008. A neat construction site is a safe one. Be sure to ask about recycling debris box contents, too.