10 Steps for a Successful LEED Project Close-out

In the pursuit of LEED certification, maintaining accurate records and ensuring all documentation is up-to-date is crucial. This guide provides a comprehensive list of best practices to help you through the quality control process ensuring a successful LEED project close out. By following these steps, you can help ensure your project’s compliance with LEED standards and facilitate a smooth certification process.

Steps

1. Quality Check
   • Export the entire submittal log from Procore or your designated system (see our app in Procore!).
   • Narrow down to divisions 3-10; use this and the finish schedule as a roadmap.
   • Ensure all relevant products are entered into Green Badger, especially those in low-emitting categories as outlined in your Project Cheat Sheet.
2. Low Emitting Product Check
   • Ensure anything on the Materials and Resources side is entered into Low Emitting (if inside the weather barrier) for any product categories you are pursuing (check out our Low Emitting Cheat Sheet).  
3. Check for Expired Documentation
   • Export your product data sheets and check the dates to ensure compliance within your project’s construction period.
   • Request updated documentation from subcontractors for any expired items.
4. Costs, Volumes, and Surface Area Data
   • Enter all costs for Sourcing of Raw Materials (orange tags in Green Badger) if pursuing that credit.
   • Record all costs/volumes/surface areas for low-emitting categories.
   • Export the material log and low emitting materials tracker. Collaborate with subcontractors to collect outstanding data or require them to complete the LEED cover sheet.
5. Waste
   • Complete all waste reports and ensure the Construction Waste Management Plan is available for LEED online or uploaded to Green Badger.
   • Update any templates used from Green Badger, changing red text to black.
6. Inspection Reports
   • IAQ
     • Ensure all IAQ inspections are completed, covering all SMACNA measures (check out our IAQ Template!).
     • Include a variety of areas in your inspections and have photos of no smoking signage.
     • Select six sample IAQ reports (beginning, middle, and end of the project) for LEED online submission.
     • Ensure corrective action documentation is available if needed.
     • Ready the prepared log of filter changes for submission.
     • For more information on IAQ, you can read this blog that includes a detailed checklist!
   • Erosion Sedimentation Control (ESC)
     • Select six sample ESC reports (beginning, middle, and end of the project) for LEED online submission.
     • Ensure corrective action documentation is available if needed.
     • Upload the civil team’s ESC drawing to Green Badger or ensure it is available for LEED online submission.
7. IAQ Flush Out/Testing
   • Confirm with the team if the owner expects Indoor Air Quality flush out/testing. 
   • If so, download our Flush Out Worksheet & Sample.
   • Download our flush out/testing IEQc4 eBook for more details.
8. Send Exports to Architect
   • Once data is finalized, export Calculators, Product Data Sheets, and Product Log for each credit page and send them to the architect/consultant.
9. Commissioning
   • Confirm commissioning details with the relevant team member.
10. Celebrate your project completion!
    • Ensure Green Badger is specified for your next LEED project and pop a cold one.

Completing these steps will not only streamline your current project’s path to LEED certification but also set a standard for future projects. By leveraging tools like Green Badger and maintaining rigorous documentation practices, you can ensure compliance, enhance sustainability, achieve your certification goals, and celebrate a successful LEED project close out. Specify Green Badger for your next LEED project, and once everything is in order, take a moment to celebrate your hard work and dedication with a well-deserved break.