Builder Certification Program
Certification program for builders who meet the Good Air Standard. Verified credibility, pre-qualified leads, and professional designation.
What Certified Builders Get
- Listed in certified network (visible to homeowners requesting builders)
- Full technical standard documentation
- Spec pack templates for all 7 build options
- Pre-qualified leads from Build Package buyers
- "Good Air Certified Builder" designation with vetting level
10 Verification Gates
Every Good Air Certified Builder must pass all 10 gates. There are no partial certifications, no provisional statuses, and no shortcuts. These gates exist to protect homeowners — particularly families with chemical sensitivity and mold illness — by ensuring that every certified builder has the licensing, knowledge, and willingness to execute to the standard.
Active Contractor License
Valid state or local contractor license appropriate for the scope of work. General contractor, residential builder, or specialty license depending on jurisdiction. We verify license status directly.
Insurance Coverage
General liability insurance with minimum $1M per occurrence. Workers' compensation coverage if required by state law for the builder's employee count. Certificate of insurance verified.
Residential Construction Experience
Minimum 3 years of active residential construction or remodeling experience. Documented through license history, project portfolio, or verifiable references. New companies with experienced principals may qualify on a case-by-case basis.
Good Air Standard Knowledge
Demonstrated understanding of the Good Air Standard's core principles: moisture management before air quality, the Drying Test, three-tier VOC disclosure, and the difference between managing moisture and eliminating mold food sources. Assessed through interview and documentation review.
Build Option Competence
Demonstrated ability to execute at least one Tier A recommended build option to the Good Air Standard specification. The builder does not need to offer all 7 options — but must be able to build at least one correctly, including assembly details, material selection, and verification requirements.
Material Compliance Commitment
Written commitment to follow the Good Air Standard's material requirements on certified projects: category-level material selections per the standard, three-tier VOC disclosure to the homeowner, and no substitution of non-compliant materials without homeowner notification and documentation.
Clean Air Construction Protocol
Demonstrated understanding of and willingness to execute the Clean Air Construction Protocol when specified by the homeowner. This protocol is not required on every project. Willingness and ability to execute it when requested is required for every certified builder.
Documentation Practice
Willingness to document material selections, assembly details, and — where specified — air quality verification data on certified projects. The Good Air Standard is a verifiable standard, not a handshake agreement. Documentation is what makes verification possible.
No Unresolved Complaints
No unresolved complaints with the state licensing board, Better Business Bureau, or Good Air Homes. Past complaints that were resolved do not disqualify. Active, unresolved complaints do. We check before certification and periodically after.
Reputation & References
Minimum 4.0-star average across available review platforms with at least 10 reviews, OR 3 verifiable client references from projects completed within the past 24 months. New builders with limited review history may qualify through references.
Vetting Levels
Certification is not binary. Builders progress through three levels as they demonstrate deeper compliance with the standard.
Self-Attested
Builder has passed Gates 1–3 (license, insurance, experience) and expressed willingness to build to the Good Air Standard. No project verification performed. This is the entry point.
Interviewed
Builder has passed Gates 1–9 through interview and documentation review. We have spoken with the builder, reviewed their approach, verified credentials, and assessed their understanding of the standard. Not yet verified on a live project.
Verified
Builder has passed all 10 gates and completed at least one project that passed verification: material compliance confirmed, assembly details documented, and — where specified — Clean Air Construction Protocol executed with air quality verification before occupancy. This is the highest level.
Fee Structure
Annual Certification
$1,000–$2,500/year
Covers listing, documentation, designation, and ongoing compliance checks. Fee varies by market size and scope of certification.
Per-Project Verification
$500–$1,500/project
Paid on project acceptance. Covers material compliance review, documentation verification, and — for Verified-level builders — project completion inspection.
Certified builders pay an annual certification fee and a per-project fee to participate in the Good Air network. Homeowners pay a one-time package fee. We disclose this because transparency is foundational to everything we publish. Builders cannot pay for favorable placement, modified standards, or preferential treatment. The standard is the standard.
Last reviewed: August 2026