How does a home become certified?
National Green Building Certification assures homeowners and the community that your projects meet the requirements of either the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines or the ICC 700-2008 National Green Building Standard, and truly are green. Builders interested in having their buildings certified should follow the steps outlined below.
Builder Process for Green Building Certification
| Step 1: |
Score the building using the online Green Scoring Tool. |
| Step 2: |
Export final Designer's Report from Green Scoring Tool and save locally as an Excel file. |
| Step 3: |
Hire an accredited verifier.
If there is not an accredited verifier listed for your area, contact the National Green Building Hotline - (877) NAHB-GRN - to let the NAHB Research Center know and/or to suggest a potential verifier candidate in your area. |
| Step 4: |
Forward Designer's Report to selected verifier and schedule rough inspection. |
| Step 5: |
Complete Program Participation Agreement and return to Research Center with required evidence of insurance. Builder's application packet is available by calling (877) NAHB GRN or contacting us via e-mail.
Only one Agreement is required for each builder regardless of how many buildings are ultimately submitted for certification. |
| Step 6: |
Meet with verifier after rough inspection to sign the verification report which will be sent to NAHB Research Center for review. There are Verification Reports for the Guidelines and the Standard. |
| Step 7: |
Submit green building certification fee ($200 per building for NAHB members, $500 for non-members, multi-unit building fee +$20/unit). |
| Step 8: |
Schedule final inspection with verifier and sign final Verification Report including certificate information. |
| Step 9: |
After final report review and receipt of the certification fee, the NAHB Research Center will issue the Certified Green Home certificate. |
The chart below details the steps and responsibilities for each involved party in the green building certification process. See a larger version, or download the certification flowchart in PDF format.
Verifier Role
National Green Building Certification accredited verifiers are critical in the home certification process. Get more information on the verifier process or how to become a verifier.
During the home certification process, the NAHB Research Center will:
- Review reports and any accompanying verifier comments/documentation
- Confirm that properly accredited verifier was used by the builder
- Invoice builder for certification fee upon completion of verifier's rough inspection
- Confirm builder's Program Participation Agreement, insurance information, and payment history are in order
- Issue Certified Green Home certificate and forward to builder in accordance with instructions noted and approved on final Verification Report
Ready to have a home certified? Contact us to get started.
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