I had the pleasure of speaking to Veronica Montelongo of A&E’s Flip This House about a recent episode where the famous house flippers “went green.”

If you haven’t seen it yet, Flip This House is an hour-long reality show where real estate developers buy, fix-up and sell homes that are usually in desperate need of repair. They make a profit of course, if all goes according to plan, but the best part is that they greatly improve a neighbourhood with some TLC.

Veronica is part of the very successful Montelongo House Buyers in San Antonio, Texas with her tough (and sometimes controversial) husband Armando, brother-in-law David and sister-in-law Melina.

Here is a synopsis of the “green episode” called Veronica Montelongo for Vice-President:

Business is booming at Montelongo House Buyers. Despite his busy schedule, Armando is now trying his hand as an author and is looking to sign his first national book deal. With Armando gone, Veronica has to step up to the plate. For her first flip as Vice-President of Montelongo House Buyers, Veronica is flipping it green. The Garden Ridge house is the perfect candidate for an environmentally friendly makeover. While Armando tries to reach the masses with his book Veronica struggles to reach him when the project threatens to go awry. Is Veronica up to the task of turning this little house into an eco-friendly gem?

Greenthinkers: In your first flip in your new role as Vice President of Montelongo House Buyers you went “green.” What made you go green?

Veronica Montelongo: Scott, as you know I love nature. As there is more awareness towards “going green” it made me open my eyes to doing our part. It’s a fine line between fixing up houses which improves neighborhoods and using materials that take away from the earth. I decided that we can help communities locally by fixing up neighborhoods and the overall global community by “going green.” Ultimately it pains me to think of the state of our environment so I was moved to be more conscious of “going green.”

GT: Did you face resistance from others involved in the project? If so, what were the concerns?

Veronica: I did originally face some resistance. This was because like most people out there, it is a simple lack of knowledge as to cost and the effectiveness each one of us can have on the environment. The resistance came from a different source than you might think. Most people would think it was Armando, but actually once I explained my concerns to Armando he was the first to step up to the plate to support my idea. This is the stuff that you don’t see on TV. He is growing more aware and concerned about our environment everyday.

The subcontractors actually showed lots of resistance because they would rather “rip it out” of the house and replace it later. It’s a time issue for them. I had them take things out, save and store, then re-use. About half-way through the project all the subcontractors were on board and looking to save things that actually couldn’t be saved. However, we raised awareness on one project!

GT: What are some specific things you did to be more environment-friendly with his house?

Veronica: This was the exciting part! We re-used insulation instead of buying new. There is only a certain amount of insulation that can be re-used, but we saved as much as possible. If you re-use insulation that has lost it’s ability to retain heat or cold, you are actually hurting the environment more, so it is that fine line again. We also put in energy efficient light bulbs and appliances. The dishwasher we used is low energy and uses very little water while cleaning. We also used an eco-friendly paint which if people want I can get the name as it is not overly expensive and is less damaging on the environment.

GT: In the end, do you think you spent more money on the project by going green?

Veronica: I think overall it was about even. It takes a little more time if you don’t know the products to go with that will help save the environment. However, everything new in life has a learning curve. By the end of the project we were in full “green mode.”

GT: Did any particular part of the project cost significantly more or less by going green?

Veronica: Not at all. Again, it took a little more time learning, but it is well worth the effects.

GT: Will being more environment-friendly be a focus of Montelongo House Buyers from now on?

Veronica: Absolutely! We are creating a list of standardized items that we use in every project and we are replacing them with eco-friendly products. You may not always see it on TV, but the “green theme” will be in our projects from now on. Also, there are lots of projects that we do that you don’t see on TV. However, we feel it is important to continue to bring the subject to light so we will do so every few episodes.

GT: Will you ever let Armando use the bulldozer on one of your flips again!?

Veronica: NEVER! This doesn’t mean he won’t try again, it just means I won’t tell him if we have large machinery on a project. The funny thing about Armando is he can get a house flipped in a few weeks but he couldn’t build anything with his own hands. We’ll leave the thinking to him and the driving to someone else.

Greenthinkers Note: If you saw the episode you will remember the “bulldozer incident” I am referring to…

GT: Now the big question. Do you think you can convince Armando get rid of his Hummer!?

Veronica: He is currently talking to a company that installs bio-diesel engines in Hummers. He told me that he is committed to doing more to help the environment. He is starting with the engine in his Hummer as well as going with more enviro-friendly products on our projects. He also said we will continue to use our public platform to make the public aware of the need to “go green.” He cares much more about these things than you would ever imagine.


Watch Flip This House Saturday nights on A&E.