National Green Building Standard™ (NGBS) Green Verification & Energy Services for Builders
Partner with Marla Esser Cloos, NGBS Verifier, to achieve verified green, energy-efficient, and healthy residential buildings and single family homes — with confidence and clarity.
Home Professionals | 1:1 Program | Consulting
Why NGBS Certification Matters
NGBS certification provides builders and developers with a clear, credible way to demonstrate that a project meets nationally recognized green building standards. Rather than focusing on a single system or feature, NGBS evaluates the home or building as a whole, encouraging balanced decisions that improve performance, durability, and occupant well-being. Third-party verification adds confidence for owners, tenants, and funding partners, while supporting long-term operational and market value.
- ICC-700 National Green Building Standard™ (NGBS) is the only ANSI-approved residential green building rating system.
- Over 760,000 homes and units have achieved NGBS certification (as of April 2026)
- Certification reduces energy/water use, ensures healthier indoor spaces, and provides clear documentation for owners and tenants
Why You Need a Verifier:
- Authorized to serve as independent, in-field representative of NGBS Green program
- Guide clients (builders, developers, architects) through the certification process
- Perform verification for building compliance
Working with NGBS
NGBS Certification Requirements
Certification Levels & Builder Resources
The National Green Building Standard™ (NGBS) provides a proven, flexible framework for creating high-performance homes and multifamily buildings. Using NGBS as the foundation, green building principles are reviewed early and integrated throughout the project — from design and construction to verification and certification.
To achieve NGBS Green Certification, a project must:
- Demonstrate meaningful improvements in energy and water efficiency
- Meet all required mandatory practices
- Implement additional green building practices across key categories
Projects may earn one of four certification levels based on performance and total points achieved:Bronze
Silver
Gold
Emerald
Higher certification levels reflect greater improvements in energy and water efficiency, along with broader implementation of green practices.
NGBS is supported by robust builder resources designed to streamline both certification and project marketing. These include the Quick Start Guide for fast orientation and the Builder Resource Guide for more detailed guidance, along with additional online tools and references.
Where appropriate, other green, sustainable, or energy-efficient programs can also be aligned with NGBS to support project goals.
Why Marla?
Marla brings more than 15 years of experience guiding residential and multifamily projects through National Green Building Standard™ (NGBS) certification. Her work spans single-family homes, LIHTC and affordable housing developments, and market-rate multifamily projects—giving her a clear, practical understanding of how NGBS requirements translate across different project types.
Through Green Home Coach, Marla helps project teams make smart decisions early, avoid costly rework, and stay aligned with certification goals throughout construction. With a background in NGBS consulting and residential education, she bridges the gap between technical certification requirements and the real-world pressures of building, including schedules, budgets, documentation, and inspections.
Before becoming an NGBS Verifier, Marla spent more than a decade working directly with NGBS as a consultant and education and documentation expert. This insider experience gives her a unique perspective on how certification pathways are reviewed, verified, and approved—helping teams move through the process with clarity and confidence.
Accreditations
- NGBS Verifier
- NAHB Master Certified Green Professional
- LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP)
- Wellness Within Your Walls Certified Professional
- NAR Green (National Association of Realtors)
Attributes
- Former NGBS consultant with firsthand knowledge of certification review and approval processes
- Hands-on experience with single-family and multifamily new construction and remodel projects
- Trusted partner for affordable housing, LIHTC, and market-rate developments
- Known for clear communication, practical guidance, and thorough documentation
Green Home Verification & Consulting Services
Green Home Verification & Consulting Services
Green Home Coach provides end-to-end support for NGBS-certified residential and multifamily projects, helping teams move from early planning through final verification with clarity and confidence.
- Green Consulting
Plan review and refinement to support NGBS compliance and project alignment. - NGBS Verification
Registration, documentation, and coordination of required inspections for certification. - Energy Modeling & Testing
Coordination with certified Energy Rater partners for Manual J/S, blower door testing, and energy reporting. These services are not provided in-house. - Online Manuals (HomeNav™)
Custom digital building and tenant manuals that document systems, materials, and green features.
Marla’s Process for NGBS Certification
A clear, step-by-step approach that keeps projects aligned from design through certification.
- Initial Plan Review & Preliminary NGBS Scoring
- Energy Modeling & Testing with Energy Rater Partner
- Inspections & Documentation During Construction
- Final Certification Review & Submission
Featured Project: Moderate-Income Multifamily Development – St. Louis, MO Metro
A large-scale multifamily project demonstrating full NGBS certification support from design through completion.
- 140 units across 21 buildings
- 2–3 bedroom residential units
- Targeting NGBS Silver Level Certification
- Energy modeling and blower door testing completed with Central Energy Audits
- Custom HomeNav™ manuals provided for owners, staff, and occupants
Tools & Strategic Partners
Green Home Coach collaborates with trusted industry partners to ensure accurate modeling, testing, and documentation.
Central Energy Audits
Energy modeling, blower door testing, and performance verification services.
HomeNav™
Digital building and occupant manuals that support education, maintenance, and long-term building performance.
Ready to Certify Your Project?
Marla Esser Cloos and Green Home Coach make NGBS certification straightforward, accurate, and manageable from start to finish. Work with an industry expert who understands both the technical requirements and the realities of construction.
