Construction Law

Steps to Gaining LEED Certification featured image

Steps to Gaining LEED Certification

Sustainability and reducing energy consumption has become a focus for consumers here in Birmingham and throughout the United States. Green buildings and homes are popping up everywhere and allowing consumers to experience energy cost savings as well as tax incentives. The overarching standard for which sustainability is measured is LEED Certification The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification is given by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and denotes compliance with conservation standards for water usage, air quality, building materials and energy conservation during and after construction.

Four Levels of LEED Certification

From highest to lowest, the four levels of LEED Certification are:

  • Platinum (80 points or more)
  • Gold (60-79 points)
  • Silver (50-59 points)
  • Certified (40-49 points)

Construction projects earn points based on how well they comply to standards for the following categories:

  • Energy and atmosphere
  • Sustainable sites
  • Materials and resources
  • Water efficiency
  • Indoor environmental quality

Steps to Gaining LEED Certification

For companies seeking LEED certification for their projects, our Birmingham construction lawyers can offer the following tips:

  • Determine your LEED certification level: There are several categories and levels of certification. Based on your project, stakeholders can make a decision on what works best for them.
  • Register your project: Projects must be registered with the USGBC. This process can be done online. A full breakdown of fees can be found at http://www.usgbc.org/cert-guide/fees.
  • Get help from LEED experts: LEED certification is an investment. It’s worth finding architects or engineers who are well-versed in this process.
  • Submit application: There’s a great deal of information that needs to accompany the application. It helps to have someone in your office that’s dedicated to this project.

To request a consultation with an experienced Birmingham construction lawyer, please submit our contact request form.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.