Commentary: Four Tips for Managing Subcontractor Risks on Sustainable Projects
As most green experts know, LEED credits frequently hinge on routine construction tasks.
Consider the contractor who must obtain indoor environmental quality (EQ) credit 4.2 as part of his contract with the owner but employs a subcontractor who uses high volatile-organic-compound paint for touch-up and punch-list work, dropping the project down a level of certification. If the credit was critical to achieving LEED Silver, which the owner needed to take advantage of tax credits exceeding $500,000, the contractor may be liable to the owner for significant damages.