Current industry perceptions of the role of the contractor in the LEED certification process

Abstract

LEED certification has been rapidly adopted on the Front Range of Colorado as the primary green building rating system. LEED has required project teams and contractors to adopt new tasks and management activities in order to meet LEED requirements and owner expectations. It is understood that contractors are critical to successful implementation of the LEED process and ultimately meeting the LEED goals of a project. This research was designed to help determine what opportunities exist for contractors to better add value to the LEED process on future projects, and to identify differences among architects and designers, green building consultants and contractors in their perception of the contractor's role in LEED. A survey was distributed to building professionals with LEED experience on the Front Range of Colorado asking for feedback about the contractor's role, opportunities to add value and factors that may limit contractor success in LEED. Findings confirm that contractors have significant impact on the LEED process, and that there is opportunity for contractors to further add value to the process in the future. Also, that difference in perception of the contractor's role and contractor opportunity to add value does vary among the three main research groups: architects and designers, green building consultants and contractors. Key opportunities for contractors to better add value to the LEED process include: engagement in an integrated design process, taking on leadership in the LEED process, better LEED related cost estimating and management, better or expanded use of technology, better tracking tools and LEED management processes, and continuing education and LEED credentialing. Contractors and green building consultants often have closely aligned perception of the contractor's role in LEED, however each group showed variation in their perception of the contractor's role that was specific to their area of professional practice.