Allen Matkins Construction Trends Survey
 

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.

LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. 

LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

 
Chambers and Partners
Allen Matkins
#1 Real Estate Law Firm in California
Chambers and Partners
2002 - 2006
 
Allen Matkins Related Practices
- Construction
- Land Use, Environmental
& Natural Resources
- Real Estate
- Litigation
- Hotels & Resorts
- Retail
 

LEED Certification: by the end of 2006 there were…

715 Certified projects totaling 88.7 million square feet of floor space

5,119 Registered projects totaling approximately 640 million square feet of floor space (an area that is equivalent to a one-story building the size of Manhattan)

 

Part 2: The Concept of the LEED Green Building Rating System is top of mind. Is it being used?

 

At the December 2006 Construction Super Conference, Allen Matkins surveyed approximately 100 attendees on their perceptions of building environmentally friendly green projects. How did industry experts feel about building green projects compared to building LEED certified green projects?

To obtain this certification, a builder, developer or contractor must go through an arduous process known as the LEED Green Building Rating System. This system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council and provides a list of standards for environmentally sustainable construction.

Summary

  • 88% of respondents think it’s worthwhile to build green while a surprising 84% of the owners, developers and contractors thought it was worthwhile to be officially LEED certified.
  • 61% of those responding told us that LEED construction added less than 3% to total costs.
  • 44% percent told us it was extremely or very beneficial to achieve LEED certification.
  • Participants thought the “feel good” benefits of improved health, quality of life, reduction of waste and community goodwill ranked higher as benefits than potential financial benefits.

Is it worth the time to build:

  Yes  No
Green Projects:   88%  12%
LEED Certified
Green Projects:		  84%  16%

Of the benefits LEED certification brings to projects, which are most important?

Feel Good Benefits

 Total Field
Who Agreed
Improved health and quality of life 
 17%

Increased environmental awareness

 12%

Good will throughout local community

 10%

Reduction of waste in the environment

 10%

Financial Benefits

Total Field
Who Agreed
Energy savings – long-term 
 11%
Tax breaks, rebates and grants
 7%
Increased positive marketing results
 7%
Energy savings – short-term 6%

What is the cost of LEED certification relative to the project?

61% said LEED projects added 3% or less to the total project cost.
1-2% of the project costs    28%
2-3% of the project costs    33%
3-4% of the project costs   18%
>4% of the project costs   21%

How beneficial is it to achieve LEED certification?

44% report it is extremely or very beneficial to obtain LEED certification.
Extremely beneficial    19%
Very beneficial    25%
Marginal benefits   32%
No benefit   24%