Back to school for “Green Certificate”??
Finklemeyer
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
I’m currently an under employed remodler in california. I’m considering doing something to improve my business for the future.
U.C. Davis extension is offering a “certificate” program in “Green Building” It would probably take me 1-2 years to comlpete, $6 grand out of pocket plus time and gas money.
Does anyone have an opinion on this? Does a certificate have any value? I think I could learn quite a bit but from a business point of view would I be better of spending that money on marketing and some books???
Just curious what folks think.
Replies
Friendly bump.
I'll be interested to hear other's opinions.
Edited to add:
Do you live in the area?
Edited 4/30/2009 5:24 pm ET by Grier
Not too far.
I don't know too much about it but there are easier routes that would get you a "green certificate". LEED-H is one that is well known. Another is the NAHB-Green CGP. Google those.
"Does anyone have an opinion on this? Does a certificate have any value? "
My heavens yes!!!
It's absolutely the wave of of building & reno now. You are smart to do this. There are bajillions of older inefficient homes out there that need to be reno'd & retro'd with green building techniques. It's where things are going now.
I have been involved working with a licensed green builder for the last 3 years or so and I'm telling you, recession or no recession, it's what people want. This guy writes articles in the local & bigger papers (Philly Inquirer).
There's always naysayers and those who love to poke & be negative, and it may be slow at first, but I strongly encourage you to go for it with the green building.
Besides...it makes total sense.
I'm all for the green building but what I'm really curious about is if the certificate itself has any value or meaning. Is it any better than just simply saying " hey I'm a green builder" ? Thanks...
I can't say I know anything about green certification, but it seems to me you should be able to find programs/seminars/conferences that could offer you some kind of certificate that would cost you less than 2 years your life and $6,000.
Have you done a search through this folder? You are sure to find many differing opinions on the green subject. Also, you can probably track down some of the "certified" people, and perhaps post them some questions.
I have no idea as to whether or not the certificate itself would definitely be helpful, but I'm sure the info would be. "Build It Green" offers instructive weekend seminars with certificates ($350.00?). PG&E, our local utility, offers excellent courses in building performance (free) - http://www.pge.com/stockton. I recently attended their three day Green Home Energy Upgrades Level I class and walked out of there both greatly humbled, having been made aware of my past, ignorant blunders, and greatly excited about the new eyes through which I will be viewing my building projects.
It seems to all be an evolution -- the science of building performance, our skills and awareness as builders, and the awareness of the general public of what is "quality" and what it's worth. I would say Green Building is reaching critical mass on all fronts; continuing our evolution towards this end could only be helpful, not only for our planet and our customers, but for our businesses as well.
Good luck!
I think form a business standpoint it should be a focus and one should get as knowledgable as one can.
The USGBC however, is basically an organization cashing in on the new found interest and really having NO competition. They have seminars, books, tests, some initials you can put after your name etc. but everything is high priced. WAY over the top.
And of course there's required continueing education AFTER you get certified, so don't think your cost or time stops with you getting a certificate. You'll be spending considerable time and money EVERY year to keep those initials after your name. I heard from another architect (now I just heard it, not confirmed it) that all the old guidelines that everyone purchased for $300 back in '07 are being "redone" and will require a new purchase from the USGBC so to be "up to date"......convienant.
I'm an architect and roughly the same situation occured back in the late '90's with the advent of online continueing education. Most states started requiring it and, at that time, the only show in town was the AIA. They chraged an average of $60 per hour and most states required 12 hours a year. Pretty hefty but when you're the only approved show in town, who cares? It's a big money maker. Well now a bunch of other groups offer them and they're all FREE!! In my peer group, no one, not even AIA members, use the AIA seminars for their CE requirements.
I think green building will go the same way.
But you should learn about green building. Can't hurt anybody or their business.
Runnerguy