Ratings are performed by certified GreenPoint Raters, independent professionals who are trained and certified by Build It Green. The rating process is a non-invasive physical examination of building systems, structures, materials and components to assess energy and water efficiency, indoor air quality, resource efficiency of materials and construction methods, and construction quality.*

The rater will generally engage in at least four of the five following activities during the course of project design and construction: Plan check, Rough inspection, Final inspection, Supporting documentation review, Performance testing.

* The rating process is not intended to be technically exhaustive and should not be relied upon to identify potential construction defects.

Process

1. Find a Rater. Our online directory helps you find a Rater in your area. Ideally, you should hire your Rater before you start your remodel.

2. If your project is already green, your Rater may be able to get started on the rating process right away. Most older homes need some work before the rating can begin.

3. The Rater calls an orientation meeting for all project participants and makes sure everyone understands and agrees to build to GreenPoint Rated quality standards.

4. The Rater uses the GreenPoint Rated Checklist to create a customized list of construction practices that will to be used in your project. Your checklist reflects the minimum point values needed in each of our five categories, as well as your client’s personal goals. For example, if you are primarily concerned with creating healthy living environments, the Rater will include extra practices that give points for indoor air quality.

5. When everyone has agreed on the checklist, the Rater submits a project planning score sheet to Build It Green and the construction team uses it to guide the project. The Rater now works primarily off-site, but is always available as a resource.

6. The Rater and the construction team coordinate appointments for verification that everything is being done correctly.

7. The Rater compiles documentation, calculates scores, and, when the project is finished, submits all necessary documentation to Build It Green for processing.

8. Build It Green mails the GreenPoint Rated certificate to your Rater, who then provides it to you. Be sure to specify up front whether the rater should provide certificate copies to anyone but you (e.g., lender, realtor, home owner, or public agency).

Please see the GreenPoint Rated Builder Handbook for additional program information.

Fees

Rater Fees

GreenPoint Raters work as independent contractors, setting their own rates and service packages. Contractual terms and fee structure are solely between the client and the Rater to negotiate.

A typical rating fee (excluding consultation and travel) ranges from $1200-$1500 for a single family home and $3750-$6000 for a 30-unit subdivision or multifamily project.

Build It Green Administrative Fees

These fees help cover the administrative services provided by Build It Green. A Rater may include these fees in their service package, or may ask you to pay them directly to Build It Green. We usually recommend that the Rater pays the processing fee and handles all transactions with Build It Green on your behalf.

* A reissue occurs if a project has already been mailed hard copies of the certificates. Typically a reissue will occur if a Rater submits the incorrect information (e.g. mailing address not correct, project address incorrect, etc.) on the Data Collection Form

*All fees for projects submitted after August 5, 2013 will be subject to the updated fee structure.