By Talia Haller, Built Green Intern, University of Washington Student

Founded in 1999, the Built Green Program has grown a lot in the past 17 years. To date, Built Green has certified over 16,618 projects, representing almost 30,000 units. At Built Green, we’ve focused on growing in many different ways, but there are three core growth dimensions Built Green is especially proud to see on the rise.

1. Total Number of Built Green Certifications

   During Built Green’s first full year of certifying projects in 2001, 700 projects were certified Built Green, representing 971 units. Before the recession, Built Green™ was experiencing large volumes of project certifications. While the crash absolutely affected the program, we’ve been growing ever since, even in spite of the program also growing in rigor (such as updated checklists and third-party verification being required at all levels). Last year, in 2015, more than 900 projects were certified Built Green, representing 2,387 units. This year, we’re on track to beat last year’s numbers by a significant margin. With over four months left to go in 2016, Built Green has already certified 634 projects this year, which represents 1,578 units.
   
    
   
    
   
   
2. Total Number of Builders Involved
   
   While Built Green certified a fair amount of projects in 2001 (700 projects), all of this work was done by only two builders: Quadrant Homes & Habitat for Humanity. One of Built Green’s core objectives is to be an inclusive program, available and appealing to all builders whether they’re constructing multifamily homes or single-family homes, or doing a remodel or another type of home building project. In 2005, when the housing market was on the rise, Built Green had expanded its reach more than 10-fold: During 2005, 26 builders certified more than 1,200 projects. Even better, the number of builders using Built Green to certify their projects has only continued to increase as the Built Green program gains legitimacy and recognition, as builders increasingly grow to see the importance of environmentally-friendly construction, and as demand continues to shift towards more sustainably built homes. From 2001 to 2015, the number of builders increased almost 50-fold, with over 100 builders certifying their projects last year.
   
   
   
   
3. Total Number of 4-Star & 5-Star Certifications Increasing
   
   When the program started in 2001, there were no 4-star or 5-star certified projects completed – only 2-Star and 3-Star. In fact, the program hadn’t even created parameters for these higher levels yet. But, as can be seen in the graphics below, over the years, more and more builders are shooting for ever-higher star-levels in their projects. 5-Star projects in particular are on the rise, as can be seen in the very bottom graph. At the moment, 4-Star makes up the bulk of our certifications, despite it representing a significant jump in requirements from 3-Star. Higher star-levels indicate increased energy and water efficiency measures, homes built with a larger amount of sustainable materials, and homes that will have better indoor air quality.
   
   
   
   
   
   

Takeaways?

Over the years, Built Green has been slowly building its popularity, credibility, and value in the Puget Sound region. We are proud of both the growth we’ve already achieved and the growth we see coming in the future. Stay updated on Built Green activities by following our blog! The next blog in the Built Green Growth series will explore:

• How Seattle’s Hot Housing Market Can Benefit Built Green

By My Edmonds News

Chermak Construction is going to be showing off one of its remodeled homes in Edmonds this Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 8 and 9, as part of the 2016 Remodeled Homes Tour.

Darylene Dennon, CEO of Solid Energy Inc. and MBA member since 1999, shares some of the surprising professional and personal benefits of being an active MBA member.

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Shannon talks to new MBA member Jeff Bumgardner of CityBldr about the benefits and opportunities that come with MBA membership.

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By The Money Hour with Tina Mitchell

Leah Missik with Built Green has been the program manager for about two years. As the program manager, she has grown the certification, conducted a green home study that received national attention, and was nominated for a Northwest Emmy Award for a public-facing ad campaign on the advantages of living in a Built Green® home. Prior to Built Green, Leah worked as a Renewable Energy Analyst, supporting a small-scale renewables program where a utility bought back energy at a premium rate.  In The Money Hour segment today, Leah talks about the importance and benefits of green homes and Built Green.

By Terry Phelan, Architect, Living Shelter Design Architects

Driven by increasing energy costs and a growing awareness of health risks associated with indoor air quality, there has been an increase in interest in sustainable home design choices. Studies show homeowners are willing to pay 4 to 7 percent more for sustainable upgrades, especially for those that create direct savings. Here are a few ideas you might consider that fit the bill:

Health and Ease of Maintenance

A healthy home can reduce medical bills and time missed from work or school. Improve indoor air quality with healthy building products, from glues to floor coverings. For finishes, choose easily cleanable and maintainable products made from sturdy non-toxic materials such as stone, tile, wood, recycled glass, and metal. Look for ecolabels on the materials and products you purchase.

Heating and Ventilation

Before adding the cost of a heating system upgrade or other technology to your wallet, be sure to improve the shell first—don’t put a new motor on a leaky boat! An energy assessment and a day sealing energy-wasting cracks is a wise investment for a remodel.

Heat from the Sun

Passive solar design can balance summer-shaded southerly windows with inside thermal masses, like a tile floor or stone fireplace. The thermal mass absorbs heat during the day and radiates it at night, flattening out temperature fluctuations. Even without a designated thermal mass, sun in a room can help save money on winter energy bills. Indoor thermal shades help keep heat in overnight.

An approach to outdoor shade that works well is a simple trellised deciduous vine. The leafless vines will allow the sun’s warmth in through chilly winters and the leaves filter sun in the summer.

Natural Light

Natural light can improve our mood and lower the amount of power used for electric lights. Tubular skylights are a nice way to light utility spaces like hallways and bathrooms; they are less expensive than rectangular skylights and are more energy efficient. Some find rectangular skylights more attractive, but they are hard to shade from summer sun, so use them judiciously. These offer the option of opening for natural ventilation and come in egress sizes, which can be useful for attic bedrooms.

Connecting to Nature

Everyone loves a view of nature and integrating the inside and outside expands living space without adding more square feet. Covered porches and low fences are gaining popularity, as are herb and vegetable gardens. Keep a sunny garden space in mind when planning a house or addition to increase your options for healthy, local food.

These ideas add value to any project, whether you’re building new or remodeling. The market demand for healthy, energy-efficient homes continues to grow and including these options now will protect your biggest investment. A little creativity goes a long way and comfort and human delight will never go out of style!

Terry K. Phelan is the president of Living Shelter Design Architects, a woman-owned architectural firm specializing in energy efficient custom homes, home remodels, cottage communities, and smaller community buildings. Phelan is a contributing writer to HomeMatters, a consumer publication of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties.

This week, Shannon speaks about events at the MBA with our new Events Manager, Gina Tucci.

View upcoming MBA Events

HIGH-END EASTSIDE HOME BUILDERS

Terrene Homes is a family-owned, Bellevue-based company specializing in residential building, specifically single-family and multifamily construction. Most of the 13-employee firm’s projects are on the Eastside and include both spec and design/build projects, at the higher end of quality and price. Terrene designs homes that “emphasize livability without sacrificing style, power, luxury, or comfort.” Danielle wears lots of financial and administrative hats at Terrene. “I’ve been with the company for eight years. My official title is accountant, but I also handle HR and I’m the liaison between employees and EPK Benefits, which administers our MBA Health Trust plan.”

THE MBA HEALTH TRUST PROVIDES AFFORDABLE RATES FOR SMALL FIRMS

Danielle says that it is tough for small businesses to maintain affordable health insurance. “As a company with a small number of employees, it’s hard to find coverage with affordable rates. We joined the MBA Health Trust eight years ago,” says Danielle. “We had just four employees when we first got health insurance and we now have 13 who are currently enrolled. And while remaining a relatively small firm, we’ve been able to keep insurance affordable during that whole period.”

Terrene is now enrolled in a Regence BlueShield PPO plan that provides competitive premiums. “We looked at other options,” Danielle says, “but it was most affordable through the MBA. Our monthly premium is significantly lower—around 10% savings.”

REGENCE BLUE SHIELD EXCELLENT FOR PREVENTIVE CARE

Terrene’s coverage includes Delta Dental of Washington, along with Regence, and Danielle says employees couldn’t be more pleased. “They are very happy with the Regence coverage and the flexibility and ability to see doctors they need to see, particularly in the preventive care area. We’ve had instances where employees were pleasantly surprised at what they had initially thought would be expensive out-of-pocket fees for preventive care, but they didn’t have to pay much at all.”

RESPONSIVE ADMINISTRATORS

EPK is the third-party organization that administers the plans for the MBA Health Trust. “They are extremely helpful and responsive,” says Danielle. “If there is a question of coverage, they are very quick to solve the issue.They are a great middleman for us and our employees to use as a resource.”

TERRENE ALSO PARTICIPATES IN THE MBA GRIP PROGRAM

The MBA also provides access to the GRIP program, which helps improve safety and reduces the overall cost of workers’ compensation for MBA members. “It’s a great program for loss prevention,” says Danielle. “And the GRIP safety team was just out here to do an overhaul of our current safety procedures. It’s a fantastic resource for safety and injuries, though we have never had to make that call.”

In order to ensure the process of purchasing, building, or remodeling your new home is an enjoyable experience and your home is well constructed, it is important that you take an active role from the beginning. To help achieve satisfaction and avoid misunderstandings, homebuyers and homeowners who are remodeling need to take steps so there will be no unpleasant surprises. There are several things homeowners can do to ensure their home meets all their expectations.

• The importance of choosing the right builder for you cannot be underestimated. When you look for a builder, find someone with whom you can communicate and develop a positive working relationship.
• Make sure your builder is licensed, bonded, and insured. Ask for references from previous clients.
• Ask the builder for a copy of the warranty and take time to review it before you begin the design phase or during the inspection process.
• Prepare a good contract that covers all the issues of payment, performance, warranty schedule, and dispute resolution.
• Don't necessarily take the lowest bid. A contractor who is the right fit for your project will usually give you the best value—without cutting corners.
• Meet with your contractor regularly during the course of construction to resolve any problems that come up during the course of the work (e.g., change orders, cost overruns, modifications in design, changes in specified materials).

For more information on how to avoid costly problems and to resolve disputes, visit the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.

The MBA and the homebuilding industry in the city of Seattle won a decisive victory recently. In the matter of Bendare Dundat v. City of Seattle (Master Builders Intervenor), Judge Barbara Mack issued a decision overturning the City's 'qualifying lot' design review ordinance for being in violation of RCW 82.02.020.

The Court determined that the ordinance imposes direct and indirect costs on projects and developers that are neither reasonably necessary nor the direct result of the proposed development. As the Court stated, "It is hard to fathom how costs and fees could be reasonable and necessary for the smaller project, but not for the first, more impactful project on the adjacent property." Finally, the Court found the city admitted that the ordinance was designed to mitigate collective impacts, not the impact of any individual project—this is the very thing that violates RCW 82.02.020.

The MBA is very happy to have been able to provide financial support to pursuing this matter in court, and the outcome is a collective benefit to developers and builders in Seattle. The MBA will continue to identify ways in which it can work to improve housing affordability within Seattle.