Built Green

What Built Green does

Built Green is a voluntary green home certification program founded in 1999 as the official initiative of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS), headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. The program certifies single-family homes, townhomes, multifamily buildings, remodels, and residential communities across the Pacific Northwest against proprietary point-based checklists organized into categories covering Site and Water, Energy Efficiency, Health and Indoor Air Quality, and Material Efficiency. Projects are rated on a star framework (3-Star through 5-Star), with Emerald Star representing the highest tier that requires net zero energy performance verified through energy modeling and ongoing utility data sharing. The Net Zero Energy Label, launched in 2017, extends the program's reach into performance-verified renewable energy projects.

The core technology is a set of evolving proprietary checklists (Single-Family/Townhome, Multifamily, Remodel, Home Refit, and Communities) updated periodically to align with Washington State Energy Code revisions, most recently in 2024. Certification requires independent third-party verification by an approved verifier network that includes firms such as BEE Engineers, Balderston Associates, Evergreen Certified, O'Brien 360, Ecoe Company, and Green Dog Enterprises. Built Green's distribution is anchored in its parent association: MBAKS membership channels, the City of Seattle's Priority Green Expedited program (which links Built Green 4-Star certification to expedited permitting and floor area ratio bonuses), and a utility partnership with Puget Sound Energy offering builders $750-$2,000 per home for achieving certification levels.

Built Green operates as a membership-based certification program with two primary revenue streams: recurring annual membership fees ($100/year for MBAKS-affiliated members, $250/year for non-affiliated) and transactional project enrollment fees ($25-$200 per project or unit depending on type and member status). The program reports 480+ member companies and 35,000+ certified units cumulatively, representing 73% of new single-family home construction in Seattle and 32% of new homes in King County as of 2016.

Name

Built Green

Legal name

Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties

Website

https://builtgreen.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Built Green is a regional green home certification program operated by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, certifying single-family, multifamily, remodel, and community projects across the Pacific Northwest via proprietary checklists and third-party verification.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Green Building Certification

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Green / High-Performance Home Construction (Net-Zero, Passive House) (IMAFABAH)

Keywords

• Green home certification
• Residential sustainability rating
• Energy efficient construction
• Sustainable building standards
• Green building program

Headquarters

HQ city

Bellevue

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Built Green charges annual membership fees to companies and individuals involved in the green building industry. Fees vary by membership type: MBAKS/HBA members pay $100/year while non-members pay $250/year. Membership provides access to certification, marketing benefits, and networking opportunities.
2. Project Enrollment Fees: Fees for enrolling projects in the Built Green certification program. Single-Family projects are $75 for members ($200 for non-members). Multifamily projects range from $55-75 per unit depending on volume. Community projects are $25/lot for members ($75 for non-members).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Built Green provides third-party verified green home certification for residential new construction and substantial remodels in the Pacific Northwest. Builders earn certifications across tiered ratings (3-Star, 4-Star, 5-Star, and Emerald Star) based on environmental performance in energy efficiency, indoor air quality, resource conservation, and site design. The program is membership-based and operated under the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS).

Product overview

Built Green is a voluntary green home certification program operated by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. The core offering consists of multiple standardized checklists (Single-Family/Townhome, Multifamily, Remodel, Home Refit, and Communities) that evaluate projects across categories including Site and Water, Energy Efficiency, Health and Indoor Air Quality, and Material Efficiency. Projects achieve Star ratings from 3 to 5 stars, with Emerald Star representing net zero energy performance as the highest tier. The program offers the Net Zero Energy Label for projects demonstrating annual net zero energy balance. Supporting products include the Eco-Cool Remodel Tool (interactive planning tool), downloadable Handbooks (detailed compliance guides), and research publications including white papers and post-occupancy studies. All certifications require third-party verification by approved HERS Raters and green building consultants. The annual Built Green Conference provides education and recognition for members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Emerald Star: Built Green's highest certification level, requiring net zero energy performance
• Net Zero Energy Label

Products and services

• 3-Star Green Home Certification Entry-tier third-party verified green home certification for residential new construction and remodels covering baseline environmental performance including energy efficiency and resource conservation, designed for builders seeking a recognized sustainable building credential.
• 4-Star Green Home Certification Mid-tier green home certification requiring enhanced performance in energy efficiency, indoor air quality, water conservation, and sustainable site design for residential builders and developers in the Pacific Northwest.
• 5-Star Green Home Certification High-tier green home certification recognizing superior environmental performance across all Built Green categories, intended for premium residential projects pursuing strong sustainability outcomes.
• Emerald Star Green Home Certification Top-tier Built Green certification recognizing net zero or near-net zero energy performance and exceptional environmental stewardship, targeted at the most ambitious green residential projects.
• Built Green Builder Membership Membership program for residential builders, developers, and remodelers administered by MBAKS that grants access to Built Green certification, marketing tools, education, and the regional green home network in Washington state.

Quantifiable outcome

• 221 million gallons of potable water saved annually by Built Green certified homes
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• DTG RecyclingminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Presented the 2022 Built Green Conference as title sponsor.
• Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilt Green is the official green home certification program of MBAKS. The association provides administrative infrastructure, member network, and institutional resources. MBAKS creates and administers the Built Green program in partnership with King and Snohomish counties.
• King CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Snohomish County and MBAKS to create Built Green program, providing consumers with an easy-to-understand rating system for identifying environmentally friendly building projects.
• Snohomish CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with King County and MBAKS to create Built Green program for green home certification.
• Puget Sound EnergycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUtility company offering incentives of $750-$2,000 per home for builders achieving Built Green certification levels. Partners with certified home raters (many are Built Green verifiers) through their Contractor Alliance Network.
• City of SeattlecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe city's Priority Green Expedited program offers shortened permit times and floor area ratio bonuses for projects achieving Built Green 4-Star certification or better. Seattle was awarded the Moving the Market Award in 2018.
• Shift ZerominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZero net carbon policy coalition that Built Green advocates work with to promote net zero building practices. Rose Lathrop serves on both Built Green Executive Committee and Shift Zero.
• Sustainable ConnectionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWhatcom County organization providing green building advocacy and the Community Energy Challenge program. Rose Lathrop serves as advocate bringing Built Green message to Bellingham builders.
• BEE EngineerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproved third-party verifier providing green building consulting and energy modeling services for Built Green certification. Listed as verifier on multiple case study projects.
• Evergreen CertifiedcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproved third-party verifier providing green building consulting and certification support. Verifier on projects including First Lamp LLC, Green Canopy, and Dwell Development projects.
• Balderston AssociatescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party verifier specializing in building science and green building consultation. Verifier on Lopez Community Land Trust and Juanita Farmhouse Cottages projects.
• Green Dog EnterprisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party verifier with Pam Worner providing verification services for Built Green projects including MRN Homes and Johnson & Carr developments.
• O'Brien 360coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party verifier providing residential services work and multifamily energy modeling. Alistair Jackson serves as Built Green Pioneer award winner.
• Ecoe CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party verifier with Elizabeth Coe providing HERS rating and Sustainable Building Advisor services for Built Green projects.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Phius (Passive House Institute US): Phius certifies Passive House standard buildings in North America, with CPHC certifications and PHIUS+ certification for high-performance, ultra-low-energy residential and multifamily projects. It overlaps with Built Green's Emerald Star/Net Zero tier in the high-performance residential segment and competes for builders pursuing rigorous energy-performance branding.

Broad incumbents

• DOE Zero Energy Ready Home: Zero Energy Ready Home is a U.S. Department of Energy certification for high-performance homes that qualifies builders for enhanced 45L tax credits ($5,000/unit). It overlaps with Built Green's Emerald Star and 5-Star tiers, particularly for builders seeking national recognition for net-zero-ready performance.
• Home Innovation Research Labs (NGBS Green Certified): Administrator of the National Green Building Standard (ICC 700), NGBS Green Certified is an ANSI-accredited national home certification program covering single-family, multifamily, and remodeling. It competes directly with Built Green by offering builders a portable, code-anchored certification accepted across U.S. markets.
• USGBC (LEED for Homes): LEED for Homes is the most widely recognized national residential green building certification, administered by the U.S. Green Building Council. Like Built Green, it certifies single-family, multifamily, and remodeling projects against a point-based checklist — but operates nationally with far greater brand reach, making it the primary incumbent alternative.
• EPA ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction: ENERGY STAR for New Homes is a federal residential certification referenced explicitly in Built Green's own incentive stack. It is a free, nationally-recognized baseline program that builders can substitute for Built Green on energy-efficiency criteria, creating direct competitive pressure on lower-star tiers.

Others

• Shift Zero: Shift Zero is a Pacific Northwest zero-net-carbon policy coalition that Built Green explicitly partners with and that Built Green advocates serve on. It is an ecosystem partner rather than a competitor, but is thematically and strategically adjacent — both organizations push PNW jurisdictions toward net-zero building codes that drive Built Green demand.

Direct peers

• Earth Advantage: Earth Advantage is a Pacific Northwest-based nonprofit that certifies sustainable homes and apartments, including ENERGY STAR and net-zero verification. It is the closest direct regional peer to Built Green, overlapping in geography, customer base (PNW builders and developers), and product structure (point-based green certification).
• Pearl Certification: Pearl Certification is a national residential green certification focused on high-performance homes, with a particular emphasis on documenting energy, water, and health features for resale value. Like Built Green, it serves builders and homeowners with a points/levels structure and is often referenced by realtors as a comparable certification.

Regional players

• Energy Trust of Oregon: Energy Trust of Oregon offers incentives and certification pathways for energy-efficient homes in Oregon, functioning as a utility-driven regional green-building program analogous to Built Green's partnership model with Puget Sound Energy and Seattle DCI. It is a comparable regional ecosystem player though it does not operate a checklist certification product.
• Build It Green: Build It Green is a California-based nonprofit that administers the GreenPoint Rated home certification, with a point-based checklist similar to Built Green's. It serves the same functional role as Built Green but for California builders, providing a regional peer comparison for certification program design and market-share strategy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/builtgreen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/built-green-wa
• Instagraminstagram.com/built_green
• Facebookfacebook.com/builtgreen

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Built Green