Principle 6: Industry Relationships

An organization and its suppliers are interdependent. A mutually beneficial relationship enhances the ability of both to create value.

It’s what people call a win-win situation.

In addition to dependable supplier relationships, relations with subcontractors and industry resources such as associations and government programs can be essential sources of expertise and experience.

Benefits include:

  • Increased ability to create value for both parties.
  • Flexibility and speed of joint responses to changing market or customer needs and expectations.
  • Optimization of costs and resources.

Click on the hyperlinks below to download tactics and tools that work!

Tactics Tools
When using subcontractors, apply consistent documentation and clearly define roles and expectations, including quality assurance.
Use standard forms for all subcontractor contracts, invoices, tax needs, insurance and work orders. Basic Subcontractor Standard Forms

Subcontractor Insurance Verification Log
Have a standard agreement with all contractors that communicates quality and technical requirements for the job and any necessary documentation. Sample Short Subcontractor Policy
Participate in collaboration and networking opportunities, and share successful practices and lessons learned.
Online Home Performance information and experience exchanges. BPI Home Energy Pros Online Community

RESNET BPI – Energy Audit and Home Performance community on LinkedIn

BuilderLink community of builders, remodelers, building supply and other industry professionals
Local, regional and national conferences include sessions featuring success-building information for the home performance-committed professional. Affordable Comfort Institute (ACI)

RESNET

Electric and Gas Industries Association

North American Technician Excellence (NATE)

Building Performance Contractors Association (New York State)

Blow-in-Blanket Contractors Association (BIBCA)

Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SFA)

Air Conditioning Contractors of American (ACCA)
Follow success stories represented by industry awards. Home Performance with Energy Star Awards (national and local)
Participate in programs that support home performance services and policy issues
Follow home performance program updates, new tools, and policy issues Home Performance with Energy Star

Home Performance with Energy Star: Find a Local Program Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency, Better Buildings

Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency, Better Buildings

Efficiency First

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Subscribe to newsletters for key organizations
How do BPI Accreditation Standards and Obligations fit this principle?
  • BPI Accredited companies shall have staff capable of analyzing, specifying and overseeing building performance projects and taking responsibility for the quality of the work in conformance with BPI Standards.
  • When subcontracting work, BPI Accredited companies shall attempt to hire companies that are accredited by BPI as this brings quality assurance oversight to both companies' work.
  • BPI Accredited companies may hire non-accredited companies (recognizing that they are still responsible for a certain level of quality control on the entire project) so long as all building performance work at the site has on-site oversight of the job and its quality control by a BPI Certified professional with the appropriate certification designation for the work being conducted.
  • In emerging markets or those with few BPI Accredited companies and BPI Certified Professionals available, an organization obtaining BPI Accreditation shall be allowed to subcontract work to non-BPI Certified individuals so long as the value of the subcontracted work does not exceed 20 percent of the volume of business of the BPI Accredited organization.
  • All residential work covered by BPI Standards that is subcontracted to the accredited organization by a non-accredited general contractor must conform to the terms of the Accreditation Agreement.