Best Builders For Passive Houses Prefab and Modular Homes

When home buyers think about building a sustainable home, whether it be a site-built house or some form of prefab home (modular homes usually being the most popular), two terms often come to mind - net-zero homes and passive homes. And while it is true that they both refer to how green or environmentally friendly a home is, there are some important distinctions.

Below, we outline the differences between environmentally friendly prefab home types - net zero prefab and modular homes and passive house certified prefab and modular homes. Additionally, we have listed some the top builders of passive prefab and modular houses along with key information on their operations, cost estimates, and examples of past passive house projects. If you are thinking about building your own passive house or net zero home using prefab construction and would like assistance with your project, speak with a member of our prefab concierge team.

Understanding Prefab and Modular Passive Houses

What is a net-zero house? What is a passive house? And what are the differences?

For many prospective home buyers, the terms “net zero” and “passive house” might sound like green building buzzwords without any real distinction. There are real differences, however, and understanding these differences is important for building the sustainable home of your dreams.

Simply put, a net zero building refers to a building that produces as much energy as it consumes. In that sense, a home that consumes 30 kWh daily must generate 30 kWh or more of electricty to offset consumption. This is typically done through the installation of PV solar panels.

Passive homes, on the other hand, are a bit more holistic. A passive building is a building that is designed and built on principles like:

Climate Appropriate Insulation Levels
Airtight Building Envelope
Thermal Bridge Free Design
High-Performance Windows with Orientation & Shading as req.
Continuous Ventilation with Heat Recovery

Together, these components lead to an energy-efficient, comfortable home.

How much does a prefab passive house home cost?

The passive houses included in our list have turn-key costs ranging from $520,000 to $2,330,000, while the builders on our list typically have turn-key costs that range from $325 to $600 per square foot. These estimates are based on the all-in costs to build each home, not including land. It is worth noting that there are both more affordable and higher-end, fully-custom prefab passive houses beyond those that are included on our list, depending on your budget and preferences.

In regards to how much additional cost is associated with building a passive house instead of a standard home, one passive building organization found that building to their standards was only 3% - 5% more expensive yet resulted in up to 85% energy savings.

How long does it take to build a prefab or modular passive house?

Like other styles of prefab and modular homes, a prefab passive house can often be built quicker than a site-built home. While the exact timeline of your project will be determined by the length of the design/engineering process, permitting approvals, off-site build times, and on-site assembly & finishing, it is our experience that a prefab passive house can be move-in ready anywhere between 9-16 months.

Prefab and Modular passive houses For Sale

Artisans Group - (Olympia, Washington)

Artisans Group is an architecture group that focuses on designing custom prefab homes that are built to passive house design standards. Their homes often feature modern architecture and unique elements like green walls and circular floor plans. While they are able to work with clients across the U.S. their primary focus is on projects in the Pacific Northwest.
Turn-key Cost Estimate: $375 - $450+ per square foot
List of Artisans Group floor plans with cost info
Example of work: Island Passive (2 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,800 Sqft, Estimated Cost $730,000+)

Bensonwood - (Walpole, New Hampshire)

Bensonwood, a sister company of Unity Homes, specializes in designing and building custom timber frame homes. Their designs typically integrate modern architecture with natural materials and large windows. They have been building passive house standard homes for over 10 years.
Turn-key Cost Estimate: $400 - $600 per square foot
Example of work: Lake Modern (5 Beds, 4.5 Baths, 4,664 Sqft, Estimated Cost $2,330,000+)

Ecocor - (Searsmont, Maine)

Ecocor designs and manufactures custom, environmentally friendly panelized homes. In addition to their operations as a custom home builder, they also offer a series of energy-efficient pre-designed homes. It is worth noting that they primary responsibility is designing and manufacturing home components and a local contractor is usually needed to complete the home on site.
Turn-key Cost Estimate: $325 - $450 per square foot
Example of work: Lake Hill (3 Beds, 2 Baths, 2,000 Sqft, Estimated Cost $700,000)

Phoenix Haus - (Grand Junction, Colorado)

Phoenix Haus is a Colorado-based designer and builder of prefabricated homes. Using panelized construction, they are able to build modern, energy-efficient homes - most of which feature a modern farmhouse design aesthetic.
Turn-key Cost Estimate: $458 - $478 per square foot
List of Phoenix Haus kit home floor plans with cost info
Example of work: H19 (4 Beds, 3 Baths, 1,900 Sqft, Estimated Cost $880,000)

GO Home by GO Logic - (Belfast, Maine)

GO Logic is a prefab home design and build company that designs both pre-engineered homes and custom houses. They specialize in designing homes that are passive house certifiable. Aesthetically, their homes feature modern farm house architecture.
Turn-key Cost Estimate: $300 - $400 per square foot
List of GO Home by GO Logic kit home floor plans with cost info
Example of work: 1600 Contemporary (4 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,600 Sqft, Estimated Cost $520,000)