8 Lessons from a GBC

If you’re contemplating pursuing either LEED or WELL certification for your design and construction project, there are things you can do to make that pursuit more feasible out of the gate. Read on for eight great lessons from a green building consultant…

1. Clear and specific sustainable goals other than just getting certification are important.

There are always choices to make with respect to how projects navigate these programs and which options they choose to pursue. It’s always preferable to dovetail sustainable strategies with owner goals and commitments as much as possible.

2. These programs are paperwork intensive.

The value of the certification as a brand is dependent on the rigor of the requirements and the evidence provided to demonstrate compliance. Rigorous documentation doesn’t just have to do with design calculations and energy simulations. These programs require documentation that can impact not only consultants but also subcontractors and vendors. Some project teams are relatively informal when it comes to submittals and product sourcing. That will not do when it comes to LEED or WELL certification. Appropriate product information must be available. Whether the product in question is “sustainable” or not, suitable testing or attestation documents must be provided for that product or material to contribute to the certification of the project.

3. They can be costly particularly at the higher levels of achievement.

Every project starts by leveraging the low hanging fruit and those strategies that are already dictated by code or program or owner commitment. For many projects, those things can go a long way toward the points needed for basic certification. But when the target is Gold or Platinum, the project will almost certainly have to undertake some strategies that are difficult and/or costly to achieve. One might argue that is what makes the project worthy of the higher level of certification. It’s important to align the level of certification with the level of owner commitment.

4. Familiarity with the specific program is helpful.

This one sounds obvious but cannot be overstated. Sustainable strategies are not rocket science and variations on similar themes will be found in all of these programs. However, the nuances do matter when it comes to executing and documenting the strategy in a way that is cost effective and compliant with the guidance of that program. Many strategies need to be implemented at a particular stage of the design or construction process. Often consultants or verifiers providing sustainable services need to have specific credentials or experience. Folks who have been through the process before and have seen different review comments and alternate compliance paths have an advantage when offering guidance.

5. Having a policy may not be enough.

For those strategies that involve operational plans or policies, many owners will find that what they already have may not comply with all of the particulars that these programs are looking for. The rigor of the documentation requirements can extend past content to format, reporting, measuring and monitoring practices. Templates can be particularly helpful in these cases though they are not always available.

6. Reviewers can be inconsistent.

These programs struggle with consistency when it comes to reviewing the documentation that is provided. When requirements are complex and nuanced, reviewers are challenged to be expert enough in design, construction and operation themselves to interpret the information that they are being given. Many of them operate under stringent time constraints and from a standard playbook of items that they are looking for. It can be easier for them to fall back on the letter of the law, rather than spending the time or effort to understand the spirit of what was done and why.

7. Give them what they ask for – no more and no less.

It’s often tempting to provide lots of context and extra information when answering documentation requirements. Don’t. Reviewers are looking for specific things which are usually clearly outlined in the requirements. Don’t make them wade through volumes of documents to find the one page they need. They don’t appreciate it. And they might see something you didn’t in those other pages that raise unnecessary questions. 

8. Make sure you have a buffer.

One of the most effective ways to ensure success is to have a buffer of extra points over and above the number needed for the level of certification being sought. As an overall strategy that is straightforward enough. However, buffer points can be very expensive at the higher levels of certification. Once the project has already incorporated all of the low hanging fruit and the feasible, cost-effective measures, what is left by definition is not so feasible or cost effective or just simply may not benefit the project. It’s a fine line between what is needed and what is just extra dollars.

These programs are worthwhile when aligned properly with owner goals and expectations. Sustainable strategies can improve occupant health and productivity, decrease operating costs and carbon footprint, and increase asset value. These benefits do have a price tag attached. But a properly focused LEED or WELL pursuit doesn’t have to break the bank—or the budget!