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Green Building Performance Goals - Defining and Setting Consumer Expectations

By Vincent J. Mangini

When a builder enters into a contract for the construction of a building, the builder needs to be sure and set realistic green building performance goals that are within the builder's reasonable control. It is also advisable to establish a mutually agreeable method for measuring building performance after construction is complete.  Builders should never represent in a contract that an energy efficient home to be constructed will produce specific energy costs or savings since the truth of such claims is dependent on factors outside of the builder's control, such as fluctuating utility costs and homeowner use patterns.

Taking time at the onset of a project to define and set expectations of green building performance goals will be instrumental in avoiding protracted disputes at the end of construction.

Full post as published by New Jersey Law Blog on May 20, 2010 (boomark / email).