Green Builder Certification

[Bob Jones]

Is there such a thing has a builder being certified to build green? If so, who provides the education and training?
Thanks
BJ

[Bob Kovacs]

Bob-

There are some local organizations that will certify you in their program, so I'd start be seeing what's avaiable in your area. Places like Seatle, Austin, and Atlanta are hotbeds for that kinda stuff, but since we don't know where you're from, I can't say what's available in your area.

The national organization to look into is the US Green Building Council www.usgbc.org , which adminsters the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) programs. While most of the programs are geared toward commercial development, they do have a program for new homes, and are supposedly working on a renovation program as well.

The USGBC offers what they call "LEED Accredited Professional" certification, which is a pretty tough exam to pass, but doesn't have any education/experience requirements- you just need to be able to pass the test. I got accredited back in 2003, and I teach the training programs within our company for everyone who wants to sit for the exam. Let me know if you'd like more info.

Bob

[Bob Jones]

Thanks much I will look at the LEED info,
also, I am in Maine.
BJ

[Dancing Dan]

Also, NARI just started a "Green Remodeling" certification. I'm a little suspicious of their motives, but making "green building" more mainstream is a good thing even if there is some cynicism.

I wouldn't bother trying to become a LEED AP unless you're a pretty big shop. I am also in Maine and we're lucky to be one of the centers of LEED activity, esp. in residential work. I would approach architects who are similarly inclined - I know of several in southern Maine who already have LEED AP's among their staff, and I'd say they are better set up to do that kind of work.

If you want, e-mail or PM me and I'd be happy to share what we've been doing. We're actually working on our first LEED project right now.

In general, I'd be more concerned about building green than iin being certified.

[Bob Kovacs]

In general, I'd be more concerned about building green than in being certified.

That's an excellent point Dan. The "being certified" part serves two purposes though, IMO:

- Where people are looking for "certified" individuals because they think that makes you more knowledgable on the topic, you win out over the competition.

- Just going through the process of getting certified forces you to undertake some studying to pass the test, which increases your knowledge of green building in general, once again putting you ahead of the competition.

There's a lot of information out there regarding "green building" and a lot of differing opinions on what "building green" is in the first place. That being said, working toward some sort of green practices sure beats ignoring the concept altogether., which is what much of the residential community has done.

Bob

[C&O Woodworks]

Dan, I am a carpenter/builder here in the portland area and wouldn't mind talking with you on this as I have pondered the LEED certification, which in the long run from a business stand point seems like a good idea.

[Dancing Dan]

I'm happy to talk to anyone about it - it's something we're very interested/involved in. Probably having a discussion about Portland or Maine on the thread is a little boring for everyone else, but my contact info is in my profile and feel free to contact me. And there's a very active Maine chapter of the USGBC - we just had a big awards party.

I agree with you, Bob (K), that certification has both an inherent and a "legitimizing" value - I considered the NARI certification for both those reasons. It could partly be because I hate the idea of "greenwashing" and I'm worried that it's going to become just another way to sell crap to H.O.'s. that I've avoided it.

I think LEED AP is a great thing to look into - I wouldn't want to discourage anyone. We're lucky in Portland to have some of the most cutting-edge LEED work going on, due to the hard work of a handful of engineers and architects (and contractors - not me, I have to say). But all the AP's whom I know work for architectural firms or big contractors. At some point it might make sense for me to consider having someone in-house who could do it, but I'd want to see how well LEED for Homes develops, how big a % of my work involved LEED, how much return on the investment, etc. For the foreseeable future for me, it makes more sense to treat it as a "subcontracted" piece of our work, particularly since we don't do our own design work.

[carpenter]

[QUOTE=Dancing Dan;270982]I'm happy to talk to anyone about it - it's something we're very interested/involved in. Probably having a discussion about Portland or Maine on the thread is a little boring for everyone else,

I would try to ignore references to Portland and Maine if you wanted to discuss it here. If I couldn't ignore them I would promise to try and stay awake anyway. Just trying to help.

Being an organic kind of guy I have been interested since first reading about the idea years ago. I even thought about starting a separate business to test the waters but anyone I spoke with around here looked askew at me. That was long ago, I hope it's changing lately.

Dave

[Lavrans]

Hey, I'm in the other Portland and I'm interested too. What is the primary aspect of working within the LEEDS parameters for you?

[Dancing Dan]

I'm not sure I understand the question.

[Lavrans]

You are working on a LEED project right now. It appears that the designer is LEEDS certified, but you aren't. You aren't interested in becoming certified at this time, especially as it isn't very developed for single family homes yet (either market or program). Given that:

What is it like working on a LEEDS project? What makes it different from other building styles for you? Is it just materials and design specific, or do you find yourself needing to learn new methods?

I've been reading about green building for a while. I have some friends who have been investigating cob & clay plasters, hay bale & other alternative building systems. Combining those older systems with newer engineering design seems interesting, at least on an intellectual level at this point. So I'm curious how others are working "green" concerns into their building styles, systems, portfolios.

Sorry, that ran on a bit.

[Dancing Dan]

OK, got it.

There's been a little bit of extra paperwork, but mostly the architect (who in this case happens to be the H.O. as well) has handled it. We've had to be a little more careful than usual about waste disposal - the job is a reno and we keep demo wood and new construction waste separated and document the waste (which so far has meant taking pictures of the garbage cans before we go to the dump).

Otherwise, so far it's just been a heightened attention to detail. I think LEED is set up to make you think about the details as a system - I've been impressed with how well thought out it is. But there's less room for improvisation - you need to have things worked out early, but I think that's probably for the best.

So in my brief experience it hasn't crimped my style. But I'm sure there are others here with more experience.

As far as "working it in" to my work, we've been obsessing about insulation and weatherproofing for years - most of our work is on old houses, so there's usually no place to go but up.

[BigLou80]

Dan,
any more thoughts on the nari green certs ? its something I believe in and I don't think any other contractors around here are doing, yet i think it would be very popular in this area. lots and lots of hippies. how did you find architects who were leed certified? I would be interested in seeing and hearind more about this project.

Lou

Lou

[Dancing Dan]

Lou - You're in groovy building central out there in the Happy Valley (or are you further west than that?)

Anyway, I met the architects just from being out there. We've been doing a lot of "green remodeling" for years, and I guess you just get your name out there. I would also encourage you to get involved with the appropriate civic associations. If there's a chapter of the USGBC anywhere near you, I would definitely get involved with that - I've met some great people, learned a lot, and frankly done some good networking. As I mentioned in another thread, I'm co-chair of the board for a Habitat project- our local group's first "green home," which has also been good for business (although of course for both ethical and practical reasons I wouldn't get involved for that reason - I think people can smell opportunism).

I don't think it's that hard to find architects who want to build better performing houses, and all the ones I've talked to are very happy to meet contractors who want to do the same - I think you need to know what you're talking about and convince them that you are obsessed with the details. And of course that you can work well with architects - that's a whole separate topic. We like architects, and like collaborating on projects, but not everyone does, and if it's not your thing it's better to know that going in.

As far as finding LEED AP's, I haven't looked at the USGBC website, but I'm sure you can search it for local members. But I will also point out that LEED for Homes is, as far as I know, still a pilot program, and I don't know if it's happening everywhere - we're lucky to have a lot going on here in southern Maine, and I don't know if it's true everywhere.

I don't really know anything about the NARI certification - I got a little info and decided it wasn't for me. I'm sure it would be valuable, but as I said before I'm somewhat suspicious of NARI's motives - I think they see the market moving in that direction and want to be part of it. There's nothing necessarily wrong with that, and I would encourage you to check it out. I'm sure the marketing opportunities would be great.

In general, though, I wouldn't do either LEED or the NARI certification for their own sake - if green building (a very amorphous term) is something that interests you, I'd focus on finding out what's going on locally and being a part of that. Especially in your part of the world I would guess there's a boatload of knowledgeable people eager to find good builders.

Holy cow, did I run on. Sorry - it's something I think about constantly so I have a lot to say on the subject.

[BigLou80]

Dan,
have you ever been here ? the valley is an interesting place to say the least.

I do not think there is a usgbc chapter anywhere around here mights as well join the portland one.Being green is so far from our local habitats mind that I can't stand to work with them. tried that their "construction manager" in typical form for the valley thinks he knows it all. they waste time they waste material thier construction is shoddy at best. I tried to work with them on two seperate occasions and now I refuse to return their phone calls. I was trying to give them some pointers about things like not installing double 2x10 headers in non baring walls and they just didn't care. Mr construction manager even came right out and said we are more concerned with our volunteers having a good experiance then we are with getting anything done. it takes this chapter YEARS to get a single house up and running. ok done.

I am into doing things green because its something I belive in. I am in this business because its something I am passionate about. after 3 years I am just now learning how to make money at it. I am not sure that there is a lot going on locally. I have never seen a mention of it at the local HBA meetings
there are a few nari members but no local chapter. The home show is in a few weeks same weekend as JLC live maybe I will see something there about it.

I was thinking of drafting a letter and sending it out to local architects expressing my interest in working with them on projects. I like architect, real ones not "building designers". I think it would be a win win situation for me and an architect to work together from the start.

I also think a lot about it been reading everything I can about it. I was at whole paycheck I mean foods today and I think your right with lots of hippies 5 colleges with in 20 miles I think I should have no problem finding eco friendly work.

Lou