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 4A: |
(First Certification Only): If this is the Builder's first certification, the Builder's application packet will be sent once the verifier has scheduled the rough inspection. Before the final inspection, complete the Program Participation Agreement and return to the Research Center with required evidence of insurance.
The Builder's application packet will be sent directly to the builder once the verifier has scheduled the rough inspection and notified the Research Center of the scheduled inspection. The builder should return the following back to the Research Center for processing:
- the completed application form
- all pages of the Program Participation Agreement
- the required evidence of insurance
- the certification fee for the first building
The certification fee for single-family homes is $200 per building for NAHB members, $500 for non-members. The multi-unit building fee is $200 per building + $20/unit for NAHB members and $500 per building + $20 per unit for non-members. For subsequent homes, builders will be invoiced when the Research Center receives the Notice of Inspection from the verifier.
Only one Agreement is required for each builder regardless of how many buildings are ultimately submitted for certification.
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| Step 5: |
Meet with verifier after rough inspection to sign the verification report which will be sent to the Research Center for review. |
| Step 6: |
(For 2nd and future certifications): Receive payment notice and remit certification fee. ($200 per building for NAHB members, $500 for non-members, multi-unit building fee is building fee + $20/unit) |
| Step 7: |
Schedule final inspection with verifier and sign final Verification Report including certificate information. |
| Step 8: |
If the builder application, agreement and insurance is on file and the certification fee has been paid, the Research Center will review the report and issue 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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