One decision that you shouldn’t shy away from is to acquire LEED certification.
Running a business is hard. It’s probably one of the most difficult career choices anyone can make. But one decision that you shouldn’t shy away from is to acquire LEED certification. While this process involves a great deal of time and effort, in the end, it will be worth it. Are you unsure of what this certification means and what the acquisition procedures entail? If that’s the case, you are in the right place to learn more!
Begin the Registration Step
We begin at the registration step. What this means is that you’ve indicated your intention to secure the certification. The prerequisites you must complete are complying with all applicable environmental laws, ensuring the building is complete, and that a reasonable site boundary is in place. Although the standard preliminary review deadline for 2021 (Sept.3) has come and gone, that shouldn’t discourage you from continuing with your application. That’s because the standard final review deadline for application submission and payment clearance happens on Nov. 9. According to the USGBC, “all project teams hoping to achieve review milestones by a certain date should inform GBCI of their specific needs as early as possible.” Expedited reviews are possible, but they come with an additional surcharge on top of the certification fees. These deadlines are coming up in November and December, with buffers for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year.
Submit the Application Form
LEED v3 rating systems, including the LEED 2009 arrangement, ended on Oct. 31, 2016. However, the rating system sunsetting date doesn’t occur until Jun. 30, 2022. That means you still have plenty of time to get everything taken care of; LEED 2009 sounds behind the times, but it is possible to upgrade to v4 or v4.1 without any additional fees attached to them.
Engage with the Review Process
Engaging with and participating in the final review process is another crucial phase. After your application submission and fee payments have cleared, the GBCI is responsible for completing a comprehensive technical review. Without timely communication (matters are not entirely out of your hands), the entire endeavor could fall apart!
Accept the LEED Certification
Once you have verified that you’ve completed the necessary prerequisites, you can accept the finalized LEED certification. After the review process finishes, you’re left with an important choice: shall you accept the final review report or appeal it? Another option is to have another supplemental appeal review conducted. However, once you’ve accepted the certification, you waive your ability to make requests or contest the decisions rendered. In other words, you can’t change your mind.
Crockett Facilities Can Help!
Crockett Facilities Services, Inc. (CFSI) is committed to helping building owners, property managers, engineers, and facility professionals navigate the post-COVID-19 environment. We can develop a cost-effective, customized program for your building that will mitigate the potential health risks of COVID-19. Click Here to Request a Quote!
To learn more about the importance of reopening your building safely, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at 202.600.2787 or sales@crockett-facilities.com. Our PM contract customers receive priority treatment with 24/7 emergency service in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, and Pinterest!