•    If the subcontractor does mechanical work, its experience with commissioning and working with a commissioning authority.

•    The subcontractor’s submittal/documentation management process. 

•    The subcontractor’s management process for waste and recycling.

Increased Project Documentation

LEED and other green certification standards require extensive documentation to ensure credits are awarded. Because this documentation is typically required from the party purchasing or installing the materials (i.e. suppliers and subcontractors), contractors should meet with subcontractors and suppliers to review the increased documentation requirements in detail early in the project. Meeting minutes should be generated and circulated to document such reviews.

Compiling a matrix for the project that lists each targeted credit, the documentation required and the party responsible for it is an efficient way for a contractor to track each subcontractor’s responsibilities. Such a matrix should be attached and incorporated into relevant subcontracts and fully communicated to the subcontractor in scope-review meetings.  In order to avoid surprises, a contractor should require its subcontractors to periodically submit all documentation as the project progresses, and not wait until project closeout.

LEED-Specific Onsite Training

Contractors should develop and implement a LEED-specific training program that addresses what subcontractors are supposed to do and what subcontractors are not supposed to do on green projects. For instance, field personnel must understand what the green project recycling goals are, which materials are recyclable, where to put recyclable materials and how to document them.

Contractors should require unproven subcontractors to submit a plan for training field personnel and monitoring their crews to ensure that they are adhering to the green processes to achieve certification. If a subcontractor is new to green construction, the contractor should assist the subcontractor in preparing a training plan and provide training materials, including the current LEED Reference Guide.

One option is to provide this training in conjunction with toolbox safety talks or weekly subcontractor meetings.
Using scheduling software to set reminders for certain tasks on the project like painting and priming can help alert project managers to review green requirements with subcontractors just before beginning the task.

Mistakes on green projects can be costly, especially when one credit can make the difference betweengaining or losing certification, tax credits and other green incentives. Proactive planning and prudent project management can reduce risk and increase the likelihood of a successful green project.

Logan Hollobaugh is a member of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC’s Construction Industry Practice Group in Chicago. He has been a LEED-accredited professional since 2009. Website: www.ogletreedeakins.com.