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NAHB Required Inspections Summary

This table lists the inspections required for the various types of certification sought by builder/remodeler/developer clients for National Green Building Certification.

Certification to the National Green Building Standard
Type of Construction Rough Inspection Final Inspection Notes
Single Family New Construction X X
Multi-Family New Construction X X
Addition to a Single Family Home X X
Building Renovation X X
Single Family Renovation plus Addition X X
Remodel of pre-1980 building using Green Remodel Path X X Rough inspection only needed to verify 903.4.1(1) (no mold). No rough report required; all requirements listed on final report.
Land Development Certification to the Standard
Completed Land Development X Includes document review of design/plans
New Land Development for Letter of Approval Only document review of design/plans
New phase of previously certified land development X
Certification to the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines
Single Family New Construction X X
Single Family New Construction - Energy Star Certified X Option for only final inspection if enough points can be verified at final.

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How does an NAHB Green 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: The builder scores the building to be certified 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: As construction begins, select 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 5: Meet with verifier after rough inspection to sign off on the correct version of the verification report which will be sent to NAHB Research Center for review. There are Verification Reports for the Guidelines and the Standard.
Step 6: Receive invoice for green building certification fee ($200 per building for NAHB members, $500 for non-members, multi-unit building fee +$20/unit).
Step 7: Complete Program Participation Agreement and return to Research Center with required evidence of insurance. Documentation is included in a builder's application packet, available by calling (877) NAHB GRN or contacting us via e-mail.
Only one Agreement is required for each builder regardless of how many buildings are ultimately submitted for certification.
Step 8: Schedule final inspection with verifier and sign off on final Verification Report including certificate information.
Step 9: After final report review and receipt of the certification fee, the NAHB Research Center will issue the 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.

How a home becomes certified. Click to see a larger version of this flowchart.

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 (donnagilmoresc@gmail.com) to get started.

NAHB Green Verification Process for Accredited Verifiers

Steps to Follow When Verifying New Construction

The instructions below are for verifiers confirming points claimed by builders of new construction. Instructions for builders seeking National Green Building Certification for new construction are outlined on the Building Certification page.

  1. Meet with builder and agree to fees and services to be provided
  2. Obtain designer's report from builder for building to be verified
  3. Download verification report spreadsheet - available from the Verifier Update e-newsletter - for the specific scoring path noted in the designer's report and transfer information and points claimed from designer's report (provided by the builder); print copy to use as your guide for the inspections.
  4. Schedule rough inspection with builder and notify the NAHB Research Center
  5. Confirm with builder at beginning of rough inspection points claimed and level of certification targeted
  6. Complete rough inspection following instructions in Verifier's Resource Guide
  7. E-mail rough verification report (on or before day following inspection) to NAHB Research Center; MUST be signed by both verifier and builder; MUST include designer’s report and photo of building's front elevation at rough
  8. Schedule final inspection with builder and notify the NAHB Research Center
  9. Complete final inspection following instructions in Verifier's Resource Guide
  10. E-mail final verification report (same day as inspection) to NAHB Research Center; MUST be signed by both verifier and builder; MUST include photo of building's front elevation at final

Steps to Follow When Verifying a Green Remodel

The instructions below are for verifiers confirming points claimed by builders following the Green Remodel Path from the National Green Building Standard™. Instructions for builders seeking National Green Building Certification are outlined on the Building Certification page.

  1. Meet with builder and agree to fees and services to be provided
  2. Obtain designer's report from builder for building to be verified
  3. Download verification report spreadsheet - available from the Verifier Update e-newsletter - for the specific scoring path noted in the designer's report and transfer information and points claimed from designer's report (provided by the builder); print copy to use as your guide for the inspections.
  4. Schedule inspection with builder and notify the NAHB Research Center
  5. Confirm with builder at beginning of inspection points claimed and level of certification targeted
  6. Complete inspection following instructions in Verifier's Resource Guide
  7. E-mail verification report (on or before day following inspection) to NAHB Research Center. The report MUST include designer's report, complete water comparison chart for the before and after water use estimates, output report for the before and after annual energy use estimates and a list of assumptions used in both calculations, and photo of building's front elevation. The verification report MUST be signed by both verifier and builder.

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