The Trillium model used for the EkoModel Home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.
We’re nearing the end of construction on the EkoModel Home, our demonstration passive house just west of Ottawa.
Note: for older blog posts with cost analyses in them, like this one, please be aware the pricing will no longer be applicable.
Having recently shared our revised approach and pricing for EkoBuilt’s passive house materials kits, we thought it made sense to share the final price tag for the EkoModel Home.
While many homeowners understand that estimating the cost per square foot of a new build is an exercise with a lot of contributing factors (site considerations, build complexity, grade of finishes chosen, etc.), certain numbers provide a common reference point.
A commonly heard figure is $200 per square foot for a custom home, when in reality some homes are done more affordably, while many others cost a good deal more.
The EkoModel Home, with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, rings in at $194 per square foot, based on 2,509 interior square footage, or just $155 per square foot, based on 3,141 exterior square footage. In either case, these figures indicate a smart build that allows for quality construction and material at a more economical price point.
Of course, the story gets even more interesting when you understand how much you stand to save on annual energy costs with one of our passive house models.
We’ve provided a complete breakdown of costs for the EkoModel Home in a new 3-page document. This shows that you can build a PassiveHouse at the same price point or even below a standard custom build budget.
The Evolution of the Home
We believe strongly that any home built today should be designed for the 21st century – cost effective and sustainable. Our focus is on providing the most comfortable and sustainable home possible, and by ensuring that:
- the homeowner will be protected from rising energy prices
- interior materials contribute to healthy indoor air quality and comfort
- materials used have high renewable and recycled content, minimal manufacturing, and are locally sourced as much as possible
- construction waste is minimized and an appropriate recycling facilities are identified for responsible waste management