Are spec consultants filling out forms on LEEDonline?

Specification & Product Discussions Sustainable Design Topics
1

I have a LEED consultant who sent me a spreadsheet of LEED points and their descriptions that I am responsible for. Then, she told me to log onto LEEDonline, go to the scorecard tab and access the forms that need to be filled out.

Besides the obvious that they are “credits” not “points” and that I am not “responsible” for any credits, have any of you, as specification writers, had to fill out forms related to the LEED process? I have worked on over 30 LEED projects, and have never been responsible for going online and filling out forms.

2

Yes - as well as the specification writer, I am also the LEED administrator for several of my projects. I coordinate the LEED process as well as complete template requirements.

3

Thanks Chris, but I was curious primarily about spec writers who are independent consultants, hired as spec writers, with a separate LEED AP acting as the LEED consultant. If you are the LEED administrator, of course you would be completing the templates.

Any independents out there have this come up?

4

I’ve never had to do this. In my opinion, it sounds like the LEED consultant is trying to unload some of their responsibility onto you.

Unless this responsibility was clearly outlined in your proposal or agreement with your client, I would treat it as an additional service.

5

Our independent spec shop does not submit information for credit approval. We recommend a LEED consultant, who we work with often, for firms who do not want to do it themselves. Why would you hire a LEED consultant, if they aren’t going to collect and submit the paperwork?

6

Another “green leech” who doesn’t understand construction documents or construction process and therefore wants irrelevant documentation.

Just out of curiosity, what credits did this person assign you responsibility for?

7

ditto with answers above. if there is a sustainability consultant, they are trying to pass off part of their job to you.
you can slyly get around this by informing your client that this will be an extra service.

8

This does sound a little strange, as I can’t really think of anything that a spec writer would be directly responsible for in any LEED system?

On the other hand, I always generally assign documentation to the person doing the work associated with it. It seems inefficient to have one person act as a conduit when everyone can simply load LEED-online themselves. Are you really saving time forwarding all the information to a consultant compared to simply loading the same info online?

I’m not an independent LEED consultant, but work for an architecture firm who handles the LEED management in-house. I’m really curious to know specifically what this consultant wanted you to load?