Over the past decade or so, green (or "sustainable") building has had its moments in the spotlight. But the down economy and a slow, uncertain recovery have left many project owners and contractors focused more on costs than sustainability. Or so it would seem.
Although the practice has certainly been affected by the economy and slower construction markets in many areas, green building is still right here and doing just fine. So it's important to stay familiar with the topic and be cognizant of its benefits and risks.
Complying with LEED
Generally, when we refer to a green project, we're talking about one certified under the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC's) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. LEED brings to bear specific measurement standards that define a given project as sustainable. It's undergone various changes since its introduction in 1998.
The latest version for new construction and major renovation is LEED 2009. Like previous incarnations, LEED 2009 awards a project points that qualify the job for graduating levels of sustainability. Before getting any points, however, a project must meet eight minimum program requirements. Specifically, it must:
1. Comply with all local, state and federal environmental laws,
2. Involve a building under the USGBC's definition,
3. Use a reasonable site boundary as defined under the LEED program,
4. Comply with minimum full-time equivalent occupancy and floor area requirements,
5. Comply with minimum occupancy rates,
6. Be registered and certified in compliance with reasonable timetables and the program's sunset dates,
7. Grant the USGBC access to whole-building energy and water-usage data, and
8. Comply with a minimum building area to site area ratio.
Assuming all of these basic criteria are met, your project can then earn various points based on specific job tasks and elements. The more points you get, the higher level of sustainability you may claim. Basic certification calls for 40–49 points; Silver certification 50–59 points; Gold 60–79 points; and the highest certification, Platinum, 80 points or more.
Building goodwill
If you're looking for a competitive edge in your market, LEED certification may just be it. Establishing yourself as a contractor capable of contributing to a green project — especially at the higher (Silver and Gold) levels — is a good way to differentiate your construction company from others. You'll also be able to build goodwill in your local community as a conscientious, responsible business.
The process of building under LEED may be more intensive than you're accustomed to. But, in the long term, compliance can streamline and perfect your building processes. For example, disposing of and recycling construction waste is a challenge on many projects. Tackle this task under LEED standards and you may very well find the ideal way to structure and execute it.
And, of course, there's the ethical dilemma many contractors face of unavoidably affecting the environment while trying to run a successful business. Again, LEED certification offers a formal structure under which you can minimize environmental harm in both the long and short terms. You'll reduce waste, conserve energy and water, and curtail ozone depletion.
Lowering expenses
Naturally, a LEED project must make financial sense for your construction company. With maintaining a strong cash flow more imperative than ever, no amount of potential community goodwill will justify committing to a green project that will demand too many dollars before bringing back a return. So don't compromise your selection of a job or bidding process just because the project is sustainable.
On an optimistic note, many green jobs offer the opportunity to lower some operating expenses. If you're consuming less energy (fuel, electricity) and water, you may see cost savings that can help you meet or even beat your job budget. Getting a strong buy-in from your project managers and work crews may also drive productivity on a LEED project.
Evolving with sustainability
If your construction company is already heavily involved in sustainable practices, kudos to you. But don't rest on your laurels — this is an evolving area. And if you're still tentative about incorporating green practices and materials, take a slow and steady approach. You don't need to jump in all at once. Just bear in mind that going green is quickly becoming an expectation, not an option.
