Innovative: Carving a niche in the building industry

Innovative is a good way to describe John Plichta. So is daring.

In this economic climate, Plichta, of Petoskey, took himself and his business out on a limb by constructing one of Michigan’s first officially “green-certified” houses based on, at that time, newly implemented National Green Building Standards drafted by the National Association of Home Builders.

He built on a wide open piece of property across a quiet road from Crooked Lake, about 15 minutes outside of Petoskey where wildlife is still more prevalent than people. In 2008, he started work on the spec house, without a buyer but with a belief that green building is the right, responsible direction.

“The timing was right,” said Plichta. “I wanted to give it a go, so I said ‘Let’s just do it. Let’s walk the walk instead of talking the talk.’”

The 1,800-square-foot home includes features such as low VOC paints and caulk; a water-borne finish on the cabinetry; cement siding with a 20-year guarantee; bamboo flooring; energy-efficient Pella windows; and an ICF block foundation with an R-50 value. Behind the scenes, geothermal heating and cooling controls the temperature, recycled materials form the studs and floor joists, the blown-in cellulose insulation is made from recycled products, and all drywall glue and sealants are “green certified.”

When he opened the home for an open house in May 2009, he had earned the NAHB’s top green certification award, the Emerald Level Green Home. More than 130 people came out for the tour and Plichta and his firm, J.R. Construction, landed three new jobs from the craftsmanship and exposure.

In today’s market, it takes that forward-thinking approach for builders to be successful, Plichta said. He recently shared that message with a group from the local Little Traverse Association of Home Builders and suggested they work together to build clusters of “green” homes in Emmet County. It would put the county on the progressive map, he noted, and could serve as a marketing tool that will in turn help increase potential clients interested in new or reconstructive green-built homes.

“Everybody’s trying to find a niche. As builders, we can’t do things the way we used to,” said Plichta.

John and his wife Nancy, who is originally from Indian River, spent 21 years in California before returning to Northern Michigan in 1994. They landed at a 65-acre piece of property also out Channel Road, and they’ve wasted no time getting to know their new neighbors next door. Plichta sold the green spec house to one of their sons, Dan, who helped build it, and his wife, Julie; they bought it in large part because of her allergy issues. While green building techniques do add about 4-8 percent to the cost of the house, its life expectancy is about 150 years, compared with 75 for a traditional-built home.

Plichta hopes others will be encouraged to follow his green lead.

“We saw momentum when we moved back to Petoskey,” said Plichta. “We like the character of the people here. Petoskey people are health-oriented and active.”

That goes for inside and out.

Innovative: Carving a niche in the building industry

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