Spec writers working w/ LEED Consultants

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Author Message Robin E. Snyder Senior Member Username: robin Post Number: 137 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 - 09:32 pm:    For those of you that are not LEED AP's and work with LEED consultant's, how does the process typically work? For example, I have some basic LEED info in my specs, but then the LEED AP reviews the specs and sometimes provides specific suggestions and comments, but most of the time, gives some broad comments and makes it clear that they have no responsibility or liability for the specs. Since I am not a LEED AP, nor do I profess to be one, it seems that the LEED AP should be taking a stronger role. How have you seen it work? Anonymous   Posted on Thursday, September 27, 2007 - 02:43 pm:    You are working with very smart LEED consultants! In my neck of the woods, it's the opposite - we get demands from these consultants that all sorts of crapola be inserted into just about every spec section in the Project Manual. Can't tell them anything. The Green Jeans evidently give them automatic expertise about specs and contract documents. Trust me, you want the type of green consultant that you currently deal with, and not the uppity know-it-alls that I am burdened with. Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 650 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, September 27, 2007 - 04:45 pm:    I've seen it work both ways, and when it works the wrong way, I "clarify" who is taking on the liability for the documents and their preparation. I think what their role (advisory) is should be stated clearly in the contract and what their responsibility is for review and comment on the documents, and when they need to be inserted into the process -- for example, before the first pricing exercise on the job. Also, it helps to be pretty knowledgeable about what they are doing and make them do what they say they will do -- for example, if they want points for recycled content and the 500 mile distance for materials, then it is their responsibility to demonstrate those are achievable. And also be sure that they know what their deadlines are for deliverables and comments; they need to be on the same schedule as the rest of the team.