{"id":2156,"date":"2022-04-15T02:56:47","date_gmt":"2022-04-15T06:56:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecotocongroup.com\/?p=2156"},"modified":"2025-05-29T10:48:42","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T10:48:42","slug":"what-is-leed-certification-steps-for-getting-a-certification","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/what-is-leed-certification-steps-for-getting-a-certification\/","title":{"rendered":"What is LEED Certification &#038; Steps for Getting a Certification"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div><p>[vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/what-is-leed-certification-steps-for-getting-a-certification\/#How_LEED_Certification_Started\" >How LEED Certification Started<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/what-is-leed-certification-steps-for-getting-a-certification\/#LEED_Today\" >LEED Today<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/what-is-leed-certification-steps-for-getting-a-certification\/#LEED_Requirements\" >LEED Requirements<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/what-is-leed-certification-steps-for-getting-a-certification\/#Preparing_For_The_Certification\" >Preparing For The Certification<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/what-is-leed-certification-steps-for-getting-a-certification\/#The_Process\" >The Process<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_LEED_Certification_Started\"><\/span><strong>How LEED Certification Started<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">It started in 1989 with an environmentally conscious architect, Bob Berkebile from Kansas City who happened to start an entire movement that revolved around sustainable architecture. In a very bold move consequently, the American Institute of Architects was petitioned to study how architects to potentially exercise optimum integrity with regard to the environment by designing environmentally responsible buildings.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Within a few years, the United States Green Building Council (the \u2018it\u2019 organization promoting sustainable architecture) developed \u2018Leadership in Energy &amp; Environmental Design, or LEED &#8211; known globally as the standard rating system for sustainable buildings.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"LEED_Today\"><\/span><strong>LEED Today<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is the most widely used &amp; acknowledged rating system in effect worldwide. It applies to all building forms &#8211; commercial and\/or residential. The certification signifies a building \u201cthat creates healthy, highly efficient, cost-saving green buildings&#8217; &#8216;.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The framework for every project &#8211; new construction &amp; interior fit-outs, to sustainable operations &amp; upgrades, is grouped into five categories mentioned below:-<\/p>\n<p>1. Building Design and Construction (BD+C)<br \/>\n2. Interior Design and Construction<br \/>\n3. Operations and Maintenance<br \/>\n4. Neighborhood Development<br \/>\n5. Homes[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"LEED_Requirements\"><\/span><strong>LEED Requirements<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The certification process is rather complex and comprehensive, that involves extremely detailed standards and guidelines. The checklist used to evaluate scores in a point system includes the following:-<\/p>\n<p>-Sustainable sites<br \/>\n-Water efficiency<br \/>\n-Energy &amp; atmosphere<br \/>\n-Materials &amp; resources<br \/>\n-Indoor environment quality<\/p>\n<p>The pointer system operates with 4 major results:-<\/p>\n<p>1. Certified (40-40 points)<br \/>\n2. Silver (50-59 points)<br \/>\n3. Gold (60-79 points)<br \/>\n4. Platinum (80+ points)[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Preparing_For_The_Certification\"><\/span><strong>Preparing For The Certification<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is essential that substantial planning and strategizing go into preparing for the certification well before the registration begins. With more than 100,000 commercial buildings that have either been granted the certificate or are awaiting one, stand out by ensuring the following steps:-<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>1. Start budgeting<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The certification can be an expensive deal with minimum charges starting from $2,900 that only shoot up because after all the certification is an investment. For larger projects, the fees alone can be up tp $1 million, along with additional project costs. However, various government incentives and rebates are available too.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>2. Know your target level<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">This is crucial to identify all the resources you will need and evaluate your choices. The objective is part of the initial design phase essentially and it\u2019s recommended to enter the construction information in the management software you use.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>3. Have a competent team<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You will need a highly skilled team of planners, engineers, and architects who can guide you optimally in this pursuit and develop a tangible certification strategy. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecotocongroup.com\/contact-us.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Cotocon Group<\/a> has extensive experience in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecotocongroup.com\/leed-certification.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LEED Certification<\/a> with a team of experts capable of tending to your needs.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Process\"><\/span><strong>The Process<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The whole process of application, review and certification process is done online. The certification is granted by a LEED accredited third party.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Step 1: Register Online<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">On the official LEED website, select the rating system most applicable to your building or project type from the choices &#8211; Building Design and Construction (BD+C), Interior Design and Construction, Operations and Maintenance, Neighborhood Development, Homes. The website also gives you various options and resources to successfully submit your application.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Step 2: Uploading Information &amp; Documents<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">This is also in accordance with the specific points and credits you wish to acquire. It is recommended to double-check that all information entered is accurate. This might seem generic but the checking of estimates, bids, regulatory compliances etc., needs to be rigorous.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Step 3: Submit The Application<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">This can be in one step, using a LEED standard review. It can also be in as many as four separate steps if you are applying for a BD+C and ID+C project (see step 4 above). In these cases, the application can be split into a design review and a construction review, each of which can be further split into a preliminary and a final review. So that makes a total of 4 possible review steps\u2014but only for BD+C and ID+C projects.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">We, The Cotocon Group, have a proven history of providing compliance services in New York City to building owners that helps acquire LEED certifications of all categories. Our highly skilled team ensures building owners meet all the requirements from strategizing, budgeting, and handling documentation along with curating the information that needs to be shared by conducting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecotocongroup.com\/energy-audit.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">energy audits<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecotocongroup.com\/retro-commissioning-nyc.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">retro-commissioning<\/a> to generating and submitting the Energy Efficiency Report within the deadline. We will demonstrate that the greatest return on investment for building owners is investing in energy efficiency.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text] How LEED Certification [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2157,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[21,32,8],"class_list":["post-2156","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-green-buildings","tag-energy-audits","tag-leed-certification","tag-retro-commissioning"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LEED-Certification.jpg",800,511,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LEED-Certification.jpg",800,511,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LEED-Certification.jpg",800,511,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LEED-Certification-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LEED-Certification-300x192.jpg",300,192,true],"large":["https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LEED-Certification.jpg",800,511,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LEED-Certification.jpg",800,511,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LEED-Certification.jpg",800,511,false],"bdpp-medium":["https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LEED-Certification.jpg",640,409,false]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"thecotocongroup","author_link":"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/author\/admin\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/category\/green-buildings\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Green Buildings<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"[vc_row row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text] How LEED Certification [&hellip;]","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2156","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2156"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2156\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5461,"href":"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2156\/revisions\/5461"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2157"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2156"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2156"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2156"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}