SEBC 2020 Virtual Exhibitor Showcase First Edition | Page 32

FGBC Certifying Agent Bill
Kachman verifies compliance
to FGBC standards.
“The designation represents
achievements in a number
of categories, such as energy
efficiency, water conservation,
site preservation, indoor
air quality, materials, and
durability, including disaster
mitigation,” added Kachman.
Some green builders are
taking advantage of fasttracking
permits and reduced
permit fees. They also find
they have entry to land they
would not have had access to
otherwise.
A certified green home
demonstrates to the buyer
and to the community
a commitment to the
environment, the homeowner,
and the community. The
third-party certification
process means that it is not
just your word standing
behind your product, but that
you have the support and
credibility of FGBC as well.
geology, resiliency,
and natural disasters.
“It’s almost become the norm
that a homeowner is looking
for some type of certification
or some type of sustainability
engagement by the builder,”
said Drew Smith, the founding
president of FGBC and owner
of third-party green home
certifier Two Trails Green
Consulting.
Builders of all sizes are
making a commitment to
offer certified green homes.
Lakewood Ranch-based Neal
Communities continues to be
one of the top green builders
in the state.
Lennar is building in Babcock
Ranch where developer Kitson
& Partners has created an ecocentric
town, raising the bar
on responsible development
with residential and
community-wide standards.
All homes at Babcock Ranch
must receive a Bronze
Standard of Certification or
higher from FGBC.
For more information
contact the Florida Green
Building Coalition at info@
floridagreen.org, visit www.
floridagreenbuilding.org call
[phone].
Mike Bonts is a member of
FHBA and president of Mike
Bonts Public Relations, a
Jacksonville, Fla. based fullservice
agency offering public
relations, digital marketing,
branding, media relations
and go-to-market strategies
for builders, developers and
luxury real estate.
FGBC certification provides
guidance and a pathway
to build green homes.
FGBC is by far the largest
certifier of green homes
and developments in
Florida. Unlike national and
international standards like
USGBC LEED and Green
Globes, “Florida Green”
standards take a scientific
approach and are developed
with state-specific criteria.
They address Florida’s
hot-humid environment,
distinctive topography, unique
The “Florida Green” standards required by Florida Green
Building Coalition certification mean that single-family
homes are saving resources, water, energy, and, in turn,
money.