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Net zero goals are ambitious. But even the best-intentioned projects can get sidetracked. Whether it’s unclear targets, late-stage value engineering, or gaps between design and operations, certain patterns show up again and again. They lead to delays, added costs, and buildings that fall short of their potential.

At Salas O’Brien, we’ve seen the patterns. And more importantly, we’ve helped project teams avoid them. Here are five common roadblocks that quietly derail net zero efforts, and what can be done to move past them:

1. Unclear or misaligned goals from the start

One of the most frequent issues we see in net zero projects is that performance goals are set too late, or they’re treated as generic aspirations instead of guiding principles.

When energy targets are vague or siloed within project teams, they’re easy to overlook during critical design decisions. Energy modeling may be used only to check boxes rather than to guide choices. HVAC systems are selected before more energy-efficient or passive strategies are explored. And once core elements like site orientation, building massing, or glazing ratios are locked in, many opportunities are no longer on the table.

What to do instead

• Rather than treating energy efficiency as an add-on feature, make it the framework that informs every choice on a path to net zero
• Embed performance targets early. Make them specific, measurable, and shared across every discipline—from architecture to operations.
• Use modeling iteratively throughout the design process, not just as validation, but as an active tool to shape decisions as they evolve.

2. Fragmented design and late-stage value engineering

Net zero buildings require tightly integrated systems. Yet many design processes still follow a fragmented model, where teams are engaged at different times or work in silos, which can result in costly mistakes.

This becomes especially dangerous during late-stage value engineering (VE). High-efficiency systems like radiant heating, advanced controls, or performance glazing may be reduced or removed to save on upfront costs. When these cuts are made without a full understanding of how systems interact, the entire energy strategy can unravel.

In some cases, the wrong cut can trigger cascading reductions in system performance, lead to costly rework, or worse, result in a facility that never reaches its intended goals.

What to do instead

• Every system is connected, and decisions should be, too. Have a mechanism for collaborating between all the relevant disciplines as cuts are made.
• Consider a performance-based VE approach—one that seeks savings without sacrificing long-term value.
• Use cost-benefit analysis early and revisit it often.

3. Sticker shock without context

When the first pricing numbers come in, many project teams experience what can best be described as “net zero whiplash.” The design may include advanced systems and ambitious goals, but the cost of execution—especially for newer technologies—can trigger unexpected pushback.

This is where projects often pause and reevaluate. Not because the goals weren’t worthwhile, but because the stakeholders weren’t prepared for the investment.

What to do instead

• When people understand the value, they’re better equipped to make informed decisions. Make it visual, practical, and grounded in comparable metrics.
• Show owners and stakeholders what net zero looks like at their scale—ideally with case studies, tours, or modeled scenarios.
• Be transparent about where the costs come from and the long-term returns: financial, environmental, and reputational.

4. The gap between design and operations

Designing a net zero building is a major achievement, but keeping it on track after occupancy is just as important. In many cases, buildings underperform not because of flaws in the design, but because the transition to operations isn’t fully supported.

Facility teams may not be trained to manage advanced systems, and controls can be too complex or improperly configured. Without ongoing monitoring, even the best-designed buildings can quietly drift from their performance targets.

If engaged early, Commissioning Agents can flag potential issues while there’s still time to course-correct, but often they are brought in later in the process. At Salas O’Brien, we often say commissioning is the bridge between design intent and real-world outcomes—and for net zero projects, that bridge needs to be especially strong.

What to do instead

• Involve facilities teams early in the design process to align systems with operational realities.
• Develop clear commissioning strategies to verify that systems perform as intended and to focus on the handoff to facilities teams.
• Engage a Commissioning Agent early to help close the gap between design intent and real-world performance.
• Prioritize intuitive, tested building controls that support ease of use and maintenance.
• Consider using digital twins or monitoring-based commissioning for ongoing performance tracking.

5. Underestimating complexity and risk

In some regions, trades and contractors haven’t worked on high-performance buildings yet. That’s not a shortcoming, just where the industry is in its learning curve. But when new technologies meet tight timelines in the middle of that learning curve, the risk of delays and integration issues goes up fast.

Getting to net zero takes coordination, timing, and the ability to adapt when things don’t go exactly as planned. There has to be a certain amount of contingency involved, and the experience of the team matters. Systems like geothermal, radiant cooling, or energy recovery can be incredibly effective at getting a project to net zero, but they’re still unfamiliar territory for many teams.

What to do instead

• Work with project partners who have direct experience delivering complex, high-performance buildings targeting net zero.
• Bring trades and commissioning agents into the conversation early to support coordination and planning.
• Allocate time and budget for system testing, team training, and troubleshooting.
• Leverage institutional knowledge to anticipate risks and avoid repeating common mistakes.

How Salas O’Brien can help

There’s no single formula for net zero success. Every building is different. But one thing is clear from our experience: net zero isn’t achieved through last-minute heroics. It was built into the structure of the project from the very beginning.

The good news is that the path doesn’t have to be bumpy. With the right team, mindset, and process, net zero is within reach.

At Salas O’Brien, we take an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to every net zero project. Because we work across architecture, engineering, and sustainability, we help clients bridge the gap between ambition and execution, translating bold goals into real-world performance.

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