Step 1: Get Trained in HouseRater

HouseRater is the innovative software solution BSI has partnered with to deliver quality management services to residential project teams across the world. Their advanced platform allows project teams to perform projected energy modeling, then complete in-field inspections and commissioning – all on one platform. There’s even additional time-savings captured through the construction cycle. As inspections are done, the energy model is updated with the in-field data, accompanied by photos captured on site.

This first and most important step is simple: you must get trained in HouseRater. You can purchase the training directly from Intellectual Ferret, and receive directions on how to get the exclusive HouseRater licensing for international project teams through the HouseRater workshop.

Alternative, you can pursue the full International Verifier certification, which includes HouseRater training.

Step 2: Have an Active HouseRater License

While you’re completing the HouseRater training, you will need to get a subscription to HouseRater. This will allow your team to perform projected energy modeling for bidding purposes. Once you have a project under contract, you can move to the next step.

Step 3: Submit an International Project Application

International Project Teams pursuing EA credits for LEED Residential must receive BSI’s oversight to earn the energy rating credits. To do that, an international project team must submit an International Project Application form. This will provide BSI with relevant information for us to prepare a formal proposal to you. Teams which have received HouseRater or International Verifier training and have a current license to HouseRater will have priority.

If you do not have an active license with HouseRater or haven’t received any training, it’s probably best to return to Step 1.

Step 4: A Proposal

BSI will provide a proposal to the International Project Team for quality management oversight on the project. We can discuss and negotiate the details – but the pricing will always be project-specific, dependent on estimated construction cycle, additional training needs, and any extra support the project teams need.

Step 5: A Contract

Once we have all agreed upon a proposal, BSI will provide a contract to the International Project Team. It will list out the specific policies, processes, and procedures both parties will abide by for the quality oversight on the energy ratings performed as part of the LEED Residential EA credits. Importantly – a contract needs to be in place for quality management on the energy ratings prior to construction starting on the project. Ideally at once a project team receives a contract, they will have already created projected energy models, and any design changes have been provided to the builder / developer.

Step 6: On-Boarding

Our on-boarding process includes putting your company in our system as a client and getting your verification employees in our system. They need to fill out a Verifier Application that provides some information about them and their certifications. We’ll review the application and verify their current credentials to map them over to ours. We’ll identify any required training they’ll need and how long they’ll have to get it, and some folks may not make the cut. If we find a discrepancy, we want a conversation. If we discover that someone has deliberately lied on the application, they just earned a short trip to nowhere land with us. We don’t want to do business with dishonest people (what sane professional would?)…and we will have a conversation with you. We’ll brief your team on how we do things, what our expectations are, and go over our obligations that we’ve legally committed to.

Step 7: Project Start

At this point we have a contract in place for the project and will actively perform quality management tasks. Members of the international project team will complete International Verifier training if they have not yet, prior to construction beginning.