But there’s much more to it:

• While overall construction numbers are down, the demand for green building design and construction continues to boom
• With the boom in green construction, increasing numbers of builders are jumping in to satisfy this demand
• Companies and individuals throughout the industry understand that certification brings added value to their building projects
• Recent cost studies show that LEED certification can be achieved for minimal to no additional cost, as compared to traditional buildings
• Increasing numbers of local, state and federal authorities are establishing legislation mandating that new and existing buildings meet LEED criteria (a high-performance green building act is even pending in the U.S. Senate)

All of these factors add up to one conclusion: in order to stay relevant in today’s marketplace, you need to have the knowledge and ability to build LEED.

Building LEED demonstrates your company’s environmental commitment and leadership, and sends a strong message to the community that you can do well by doing good. According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED certified buildings:

• Are leading the transformation of the built environment
• Are built more frequently as designed and perform as expected
• Are healthy and comfortable for their occupants
• Have lower operating costsand increased asset value
• Increase worker productivity and help students achieve higher test scores
• Reduce waste sent to landfills
• Conserve energy and water
• Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions
• Qualify for tax rebates, additional zoning allowances, and other incentives in hundreds of cities
• Demonstrate an owner's commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility

At Green Depot, we understand the challenges of building green – but we also understand the rewards. Working on a LEED project? Bring your spec to Green Depot, and we’ll help you “flip it green” and maximize your LEED points. Call us NOW to find out how our trained professionals and Green Depot 360 Network experts can help you spec out your next LEED project.