What Builder Certifications Mean for Your Home

While looking for a custom home builder, you may come across various building or green certifications. Of course, unless you’re in the industry, you may not know exactly what all these different certifications mean. More importantly, you may not know how these certifications benefit you.

Below is a short list of common certifications you might see – and a quick guide to what these certifications mean for your future home.

• Certified Graduate Builder—This exclusive designation certifies the builder’s business and project management skills. Certified Graduate Builders have a keen understanding of today’s home building industry, and they go through continuing education to keep up to date with all developments in the industry.

For You: When you have a well-qualified project manager on your side, you can rest easy knowing your home will be built on time and within budget. Cunningham Building and Development has two Certified Graduate Builders on staff, helping us exceed all standards for your project.



• NAHB Certified Green Professional—As a Certified Green Professional, a builder demonstrates the highest level of knowledge and skills for incorporating green building principles into homes without increasing construction costs.

For You: This certification means you’ll get an energy-efficient house that’s good for you and the environment. At Cunningham Building and Development, we have two NAHB Certified Green Professionals on staff—a distinction few builders in all of Texas can boast.



• LEED—Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) is a worldwide standard for green building. This certification provides third-party verification that a home was built to be energy efficient, water efficient, reduce CO2 emissions, achieve high indoor air quality, and more.

For You: LEED certified homes have a smaller footprint on the environment, and that’s something you can feel good about. At Cunningham, we combine energy efficiency and luxury design to deliver a home that meets LEED green building standards.



• Energy Star—Energy Star is a government-backed program aimed at helping to protect the environment through advanced energy efficiency.

For You: Energy efficient building practices can help you save money on your energy bill while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Cunningham Building and Development can create a home for you that meets the Energy Star standards.

Have questions about these building certifications? Just leave a comment and we’ll be happy to respond.