How long does it take to get a building BREEAM or LEED certified?

The timeline varies a lot depending on the project size and how early sustainability planning begins. Most BREEAM or LEED certifications run from several months up to a couple of years because the process follows the full design and construction cycle.

If sustainability goals are included from day one, the process is smoother. If a site tries to start certification late in the build, it usually takes longer because evidence needs to be gathered retroactively.

Once construction is complete, the final assessment and certification can take a few weeks to a few months.