Green Building Unwound Part Two

• Membership in the U.S. Green Building Council, the primary industry association has increased from about 600 corporate members at the end of 2000 to more than 5500.

• Over 350 projects were completed under certification by the LEED green building rating system.

• In excess of 2,400 projects were registered for certification under LEED representing 50 states and 13 foreign countries including Canada, India and China.

• It is interesting to note that nearly 30% of the LEED registered projects are in California, Oregon and Washington.

• Over 30,000 professionals have taken the all-day LEED Technical Review Workshop covering the basics of LEED.

• Somewhere north of 21,000 building industry professionals have passed a national exam and have become LEED Accredited Professionals.

The total green effort includes things outside of contractors’ effect such as car emissions, sea pollution, cooking fires, and bovine’s contribution. However, we all are in this together. We very much affect each other with our daily actions. You may not agree with the politics of green but, you should agree with the intent and spirit of it as there is no practical option other than living on this planet.

The great news for contractors is that the Green Building market is unsettled. Owners and Designers are in their "storming" or early adopter stage. Uncertainty is high. When there is uncertainty, clients go to the trusted, established source. A construction firm is in the "pole position" when it is known as dependable and careful with its building process including what they represent as their capability. This firm may not have the most experience but, they are trusted due to their professional character.

Any growing market allows new entrants easily. Existing contractors service existing volume. Since we are in a variable cost business, there is less interest in new, higher volume. Most construction firms know they have to focus on the business at hand and drive the cost side of the equation. Profit does not equal volume in construction, cost side discipline does. New staff only assures missteps, miscommunication and very expensive rework. This proper caution of an established firm is an opening for a new entrant.

Starting small and building a single low profile project is a patient approach. As the market is certain to become larger, some contractors don't feel in a rush. They wish to get it right and make sure their people gain valuable, low risk experience. In the future, profits and market share are sure to come with knowledge, business understanding and a craft skill in building green.

We hope that there will never come a time when LEED measures have to be mandated. However, if people are not sensitive to this earth, there is no other choice but to enact strict laws.

We are borrowing the present from our grandchildren. Contractor's as well as others. These youngsters will certainly let us know how we did when they are of an age to speak to us as adults.