Residential Remodel

Overview

The Earth Advantage Remodel Certification program provides a clear pathway for homeowners to upgrade their homes to high performance standards. A home can be certified to one or more pillars at a time, or the entire house can achieve certification. Accredited EA Remodelers benefit from increased credibility. Our unique scoring tool improves your opportunity to discuss green options with homeowners and sell additional services.

EA Remodel Certification begins with an evaluation of the home by an accredited EA Remodeler to determine the potential pathways to pillar or whole home certification. The EA Remodeler works with the homeowner on options that comply with the certification points system. In some cases an energy model will be conducted by a home performance contractor using Earth Advantage's, CakeSystems™ software to generate an EPS®.  

Per Pillar Certification

There are five pillars that comprise a whole house certification; Energy, Health, Materials, Water and Land. A homeowner may elect to comply with one or several individual pillars rather than certifying their entire home to EA standards. EA would third-party verify the pillars which matched the online points worksheet for the remodel program and award a certificate based on one or more pillars the home complied with. This also allows the contractor the opportunity for repeat business as the homeowner returns over time to eventually achieve a whole house certification. 

Whole Home Certification

A recent study of California green homes showed they had a resale value 9% above market value. Data across the pacific northwest has demonstrated resale values on high performance homes to be 3 - 10% higher than homes built to code. 54% of all homeowners who decide to remodel their homes base their decision on improving the value of their house. It therefore makes sense to have a certification that demonstrates the work performed on home remodels was to high performance standards. Earth Advantage Remodel Certification is specifically focused on providing the tools and training for remodeling contractors to guide homeowners toward a holistic high performance solution that makes their existing home healthier, more durable and more efficient. The EA Remodel Certification will soon have a signifier in the RMLS listing that combined with the third-party verification by an EA green building consultant will provide the homeowner with peace of mind their home is truly a high performance home. 

Training for Remodelers

Earth Advantage offers training to become an accredited EA Remodeler. Trainings are regularly scheduled and are half day in duration to allow for the busy schedules of contractors. The cost of the training is $199 and requires passing a qualifying exam after completion.* Once accreditation is received you will be allowed to use the EA Remodel Certification branding and list your name or company on the EA website as an accredited professional. 

*To view a list of sample exam questions, please click here.

Note: The training is not intended to teach building science or residential construction sustainability, and a 70% score must be achieved to pass the exam and become an accredited EA Remodeler.