This guide describes energy performance contracts and performance-based fees for new buildings. Performance contracting provides an incentive for architects to design and construct efficient buildings and promotes better integration between architects, engineers, builders, owners, and operations and maintenance staff. The contracts provide an incentive to the design and construction community to go beyond minimum code requirements and the contracts can provide excellent return on investment with low risk. This document describes the elements of a performance contract, what one can expect from a performance contract, the relationships between individuals involved in a performance contract, a step-by-step guide to creating a performance contract, as well as case studies from successful contracts.