What Your Contractor Means When He Says...

Homeowner says: It's very important to us that we go green. We want to do our part to help the environment. So naturally we want to rehab these old cabinets and appliances and give them to a charity so they don't end up in a landfill.

Contractor says: We are dedicated in our company to a marginal carbon footprint and to using sustainable resources.

Contractor thinks: I'll have to add a grand for chasing around after pricier green materials, and we'll save only 20 percent on the first dumpster. Plus, we'll have to pick up and deliver the salvaged stuff to charity. Better add time and gas for that, too.