LUA: Our Approach to Building Green

2.20.2012

Our Approach to Building Green | Santa Barbara Homes

LUA focuses on building and remodeling Santa Barbara Homes in an environmentally friendly manner.

See below for some general description. You can also visit our WEBSITE for information on our green building practices.

Building Green | Major Components
- Energy & Water Conservation
- Site Planning
- Material & Resource Use Reduction
- Indoor Air Quality Improvements

Building Green | Current Trends...
For 35 years, it has been our promise to build a home & relationship that will "last a lifetime." In order to do so, we must be very careful when implementing new building products/practices especially those considered as building trends. We will critically examine the products/systems in order to determine...

Our Approach | Careful Observation
- The home owner's expectations
- Energy and Water Conservation
- Health impacts
- Cost impacts
- Durability and reliability
- Is the application proper for that material?
- How will this product/system impact other building systems?

Unwanted Approach | Negative Green Building Trends
- Misleading efficiency promises
- Misleading cost impacts
- Claims related to water intrusion, for ex. improper install of vegetative roofs
- Owner's failure to achieve promised approvals, tax credits, utility rebates, etc.
- Potential defects with green materials and construction techniques
- Negative health impacts long term

Established in 1977, Leonard Unander Associates, Inc. is an award winning Santa Barbara general contractor. The custom homes built and remodeled by LUA in Santa Barbara, Montecito, Hope Ranch, and Santa Ynez are a lasting testament to the quality and craftsmanship that is the focus of each project. Our powerful team continues to provide discerning clients with the exceptional construction process and finish product that has made LUA one of Santa Barbara's premier residential construction companies.

For more information about LUA, a Contractor focusing on Santa Barbara Homes, please visit our website: www.unanderconstruction.com

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Testimonials

"LUA did a phenomenal job on our home. Their attention to detail was second to none. Always willing to work with us to make changes and come up with new innovative ways to solve problems without breaking the budget. Their documentation at each stage was excellent and always complete and detailed. We couldn't have asked for a better general contractor. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to build a new home."-Thomas Smead

"It has been a tremendous pleasure to work with LUA on my home. Their skill, professionalism, quality and attention to detail is amazing and I have been incredibly pleased with both the process and the result. Moreover, whenever any changes were needed, they have been tremendously diligent. I would unreservedly recommend them to anyone building a home in the area." -Richard Pollack

"We are pleased to say that from first impression through the two-year building process with LUA, it was one of the most pleasurable experiences relating to home building that we've had to date. With backgrounds in design, real estate, and building, we were quite frankly looking for perfection. We were not disappointed with our expectations of the LUA team and the various subcontractors that they brought to the experience. They introduced us to new concepts and materials, were organized, working in a timely schedule, and were cost conscious. During what can be a stressful process, they were a pleasure to work with and can be truly trusted to deliver not just a completed project, but a HOME."-Eric & Nina Phillips

"We have built &/or remodeled over 15 high end homes in 3 states (California, Hawaii, & Washington). Nobody compared to LUA in terms of quality & attention to detail. If you have high standards & you want to be assured of the best possible outcome, there is really no other choice.”-Rowland and Mary Hanson

"We chose LUA as the builder of our dream house because we were impressed by the family nature of the firm, their long experience in Santa Barbara, their good relations with the best subcontractors, their attention to detail and their integrity. They worked closely with our architect and our owner's rep early on the project, which enabled significant cost savings via value engineering. They never deviated from best building practices. The quality of the work and professionalism of the supervision and management was superb. We are extremely happy with the finished product, Villa Ravello. We cannot recommend LUA highly enough."- Floyd Bradley

"From the very beginning stages of digging and waterproofing our basement to the finish tile, Quality Work at the best "cost/value" relationship possible has always been the method of operation. Our experience with their billing process, accounting system, planning, bid tab process has been excellent. As a final note I must comment on the LUA moral compass and their level of personal and business integrity without blemish."- Mark & Cathy Zoradi

"LUA, Inc. is a professional organization of impeccable integrity. They provide a finished product of the highest quality as a result of their willingness to work closely with their clients."-Linda and Doug Wood

"We are so pleased with your work and want to say thank you for all your efforts. We were always informed of what would be happening, when there would be noise, when they needed to get in the house, etc. - thanks for your clear communication. The cleanup was amazing every single day and the finished project was beyond our expectations."-Gayle and Pam Beebe

"In my over 30 years of practicing architecture in Santa Barbara there is no contractor that I would rather work with than Unander Associates. Their quality and care, their attention to detail, their extraordinary efforts to please their clients and their determination to create beautiful enduring architecture is without equal. From my very first project working with Leonard Unander in 1987, our projects together have been a joy. Even when things get difficult and challenging, Leonard and his team always take the upmost care in resolving issues and ensuring a positive outcome. Each and every one of their clients receives truly extraordinary service.""I cannot more highly recommend Unander Associates!"- Brian Cearnal, AIA, LEED AP | Cearnal Andrulaitis LLP

"On behalf of Leonard Unander Associates, Clint Unander managed the remodeling of our new home in 2009 following the loss of our previous home in the Tea Fire of November 2008. Clint proved to be supremely well organized, an outstanding manager who responded immediately to any requests and could always be counted on to follow through. He has an excellent eye for detail and a real pride in quality of workmanship. And equally important, he has a pleasant and easygoing manner that makes him a pleasure to work with. We were also very pleased with the general contracting services provided by Leonard Unander Associates. The company's records were always precise and current, subcontractors were all first rate, and billing was fully backed up with all relevant documentation. We would recommend both Clint and Leonard Unander Associates with enthusiasm."- Benjamin J. Cohen and Jane S. De Hart

"I have had the fortunate opportunity to collaborate with LUA on more than one project, each has been an exercise of superior quality, conscientious decisions, and management clarity leading to beautiful results."- Mark Shields | Senior Project Designer, DesignARC

"I have been fortunate enough to work with LUA on numerous custom residential projects and they are consistently my premiere choice when it comes to choosing a general contractor. From the on-set of each and every project and throughout the construction process, every member of LUA is dedicated to being part of the overall team. They diligently work with the clients and designers to ensure that the project is run as smoothly and seamlessly as possible. This type of dedication makes the often daunting task of building a home, a delight. Their attention to detail and craftsmanship are bar none and I can say without a shadow of a doubt, that when I refer LUA, my clients will be in the best hands possible and that the end result will not only be beautiful, it will be exceptional. There is no one else I would rather work with."- Bree Medley | Bree Medley Designs

"I have known Leonard since first moving to Santa Barbara in the late 1970's, and was fortunate enough to retain him on a rather unique master bathroom addition and remodel at my own house. Over the last 30 years, we have worked closely with LUA on at least a dozen very exceptional projects. I would consider their work to be the gold standard in the arena of high profile residential construction. Their overall integrity coupled with attention to quality, detail and stellar service support their fine reputation."-Gregory K. Van Sande | Van Sande Structural Consultants, Inc.

"LUA, Inc. is well known in the Santa Barbara and Montecito communities for their integrity, attention to detail, and passion for their work. Their financial stability, coupled with a 40 year track record of satisfied clients, makes them one of the very best."-Andrea Borgioli, Vice President & Sr. Investment Manager, Wells Fargo Private Bank

"Our firm is the oldest and one of the largest in Santa Barbara. We have worked with many architects, general contractors, and owners on high end residential projects. There is no question that LUA, Inc. is one of the very best. The quality of work, professionalism, and approach to problem solving consistently exceeds expectations of their clients and win them well-deserved praise. We would highly recommend them for any residential project."-Christopher E. Haskell | Price, Postel & Parma LLP

"While living in New York at the time, my wife and I interviewed many general contractor firms before ultimately deciding on LUA, Inc. We were looking for a company that had an excellent reputation in Santa Barbara for delivering a high quality custom product with a focus on detail. It was also very important to have someone we could trust given we were 2500 miles away while our project was being built. And, we really wanted a firm that was known for keeping the construction site clean and would be respectful of our neighbors during construction. We were thrilled with the results!"-Tom Kenny & Susan McMillan

"Having worked with LUA on several projects, I find that their level of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and integrity to be of the highest standard. Each member of the staff is eager to accommodate not only the client, but the designer and architect as well. LUA understands that each project is a team effort with the goal of producing a well built and beautiful home for the client."-Chris Moore | Chris Moore Interior Design

"I couldn't have imagined a more pleasurable experience than working with LUA. With absolute devotion to both the client and their craft, they provide the highest level of service, and yet also find a way to meet and exceed the demanding expectations of the highest quality residential details. They are at the top of our preferred contractors in Santa Barbara, and not surprisingly have made the experience of building a new home a pleasurable one for many a client."-Domiane Forte | Principal, Forte & Associates

"RPM Architects has found Leonard Unander Associates to be simply the best general contractor in the Santa Barbara area. They are extremely competent, trustworthy and work at the highest level of their trade. They successfully translate our designs into reality to the great satisfaction of the owner."-Robert Peale Mehl | RPM Architects | www.rpmarchitects.com

"Their attention to detail was exquisite. They have all been a pleasure to work with."-Mrs. Dorothy Roberts

"In over 40 years of practicing interior design I have never had a better experience with the contractor than I had on the Lilac Project with LUA. Your complete attention to every aspect of the project and your team spirit and willingness to jump in and try to solve any problem (no matter if it was your problem or not) was a revelation to me and the people with whom I work. Your attitude and ability was also evidenced by all your amazing subs. Leonard, it was a JOY working with LUA...I congratulate you on being one of the very best. You deserve all your great success."-Patti Skouras | Patti Skouras et Fille

"Stonemark has worked for 3 years with LUA, Inc. through all phases of a new, large major estate project. As we served as the Owner's Rep, we know their team very well. From early pre-construction to post-construction closeout, they exhibited an uncompromising commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Their flexibility in performing whatever was needed for the project and level of service to the client was unparalleled in my experience. I highly recommend them and look forward to working with them again."-Bart Mendel | President, Stonemark Construction Management

"We wanted someone with a creative vision that would translate our dream into a functional and aesthetically pleasing home that was built with attention to detail. We will always appreciate the hard work, ingenuity, honesty, craftsmanship and care that Leonard put into making our house a beautiful home."-Mr. and Mrs. Nagler

"Our new home is a modest contemporary; smaller in scope than a typical LUA project. Even with our scale and design, there was enthusiasm and attention to detail with every aspect our project. The team lived up to a reputation of being first class in service and execution, and stood firm in the belief that the highest standards are nothing less than acceptable. Working through the design build process with LUA gave us the assurance that we were making smart decisions and the result is a home that we love. Family friendly service is rare in todays world, and we have the best of the best in our own community."-Andrew & and Cindy Bermant

2.20.2012

Our Approach to Building Green | Santa Barbara Homes

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