The 8 Most Popular Green Building Certificates

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC), a non-profit organization, created Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) as a certification system for sustainable and environmentally sound buildings. LEED certifications are awarded in levels ‘Certified’ through ‘Platinum,’ based on points earned for sustainable sites, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, material selection, water efficiency and waste reduction. Some categories are required, others are optional.

There is a LEED certification suitable for all building types in all building phases. For individuals wishing to have a new construction home built to achieve LEED certification they can complete the following five steps themselves or have their builder complete them on their behalf, however all certification costs are the responsibility of the homeowner.

1. Register the project with the USGBC for a flat fee between $325 to $525.
2. Hire a Green Rater certified through the USGBC to oversee the project. Costs will vary depending on the scope, size and locality of the project. Walker Wells, a sustainable building expert at Raimi and Associates, a San Francisco area consulting firm, says homeowners should expect to pay a Green Rater, “between $10,000 to $20,000 depending on the level of certification that is being pursued, what green features or materials need to be reviewed and what on-site tests are conducted.”
3. Verify project milestones and achievements through on-site Green Rater inspections.
4. Submit the LEED application to USGBC for review. This is included in the registration fees.
5. Receive the certification from USGBC, which can be used during home sales to verify construction elements to prospective homebuyers.