How to Use the 2025 NGBS to Build Your Business and Your Brand

As the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) becomes more widely recognized at the federal, state and local levels, it becomes an increasingly valuable tool to help home builders grow their business and engage with clients.

Here’s how home builders can benefit from using the latest edition of NGBS.

A "How-To" Design and Construction Manual

For those new to high-performance building, NGBS provides a guide to starting their green building journey.

Customizable Path: Builders can choose from hundreds of green practices to incorporate into their next builds to make them more sustainable. Whether aiming for simple, baseline sustainability or a Net-Zero Energy home, builders can follow the NGBS to chart their own course.

Code Integration: Because it is written in code language, it easily integrates with local building codes — such as the International Residential Code (IRC), International Building Codes (IBC) and International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)— helping builders future-proof projects against code updates.

Voluntary Initiatives: As businesses and communities look to demonstrate their environmental commitments, NGBS can serve as a model to help them take their first steps and validate their actions.

A Marketing Tool and Brand Differentiator

Managed by Home Innovation Research Labs, NGBS Green certification provides independent, third-party verification that a home is designed and built to achieve high performance. Many builders — and remodelers and developers — find value in obtaining NGBS Green certification as a way to distinguish their projects and set them apart from their peers.

Pre-Design Scoring: Builders and verifiers can score planned projects using the NGBS scoring tool and make any revisions needed to meet their point targets prior to the start of construction.

Independent Verification: Certification requires mandatory, independent third-party verification (typically at rough-in/pre-drywall and final inspection) that planned features were installed and installed correctly.

Consumer Trust: Third-party certification reassures buyers of genuine energy and resource savings, and defends against greenwashing.

Front-Facing Competitive Edge: Certification sets the builder or business up for success, as they can display a reputable certification for the project that adds value and outward recognition. 

Download a free copy of the 2025 NGBS to get started.