Both types of homes use less energy, and they are healthier to live in. They use better materials and methods than a normal home. Here is the big difference: a Passive Home must follow a strict set of rules, checked by an outside group called PHINZ, the Passive House Institute New Zealand. To pass, a Passive Home must meet rules for:How much heat and energy it usesTotal energy use, like heating, hot water, and daily powerAirtightness, tested to make sure air does not leak outComfort, so rooms stay comfortable all year and can only get above 25°C for 10% of the year, at most To reach this level, we use smart design, placing the home to catch the right sun and shade before we even add heating or cooling systems.A high-performance home has the same goal, but it does not have an outside group checking it. It still uses much better materials and methods than a normal build, staying cool in summer and warm in winter while using less energy too. The goal is the same either way: a comfortable, healthy home for your family.Read more about Passive Homes

No. Builders in Europe have used these methods for many years, but New Zealand has been slower to catch up, since our building rules are often just the bare minimum. This is starting to change, and we are choosing these methods because they build a better home, not because it is trendy. More builders across the industry are starting to do the same. Every method we use is proven, based on real building science, not guesswork. New Zealand now has its own group, called PHINZ, which uses building science to predict how a home will perform, then checks the home to make sure it does.

On top of all this, we use materials that are better for the planet, so you can feel good about what your home is made of, not just how well it works. We are a Certified Passive House Builder and a preferred builder for Formance SIPs. This is not a side project for us, it is how we build every home.We love working with SIPs and Hempcrete, and we keep learning better ways to build with less harm to the planet. If there is a smarter way to do something, we use it, rather than sticking to the old way just because it is familiar.

It is life-changing, and we mean that. No matter the weather outside, your home stays comfortable inside all year, without you having to do anything to manage it.Even with the windows closed, the air feels fresh, with no stuffy rooms and no need to reach for the aircon or heat pump just to feel okay. Your home also stays drier and healthier, so you and your family are less likely to get sick.Read more about Passive Homes

The cost of a Passive Home or high-performance home comes down to your site, your design, and what you want from the home. The materials, planning, and testing we use are a bigger part of the build than in a standard home, and that shapes the price. What you get back is a home with lower running costs for years to come, smaller power bills, less upkeep, and a build made to last.The best next step is to book a no-obligation site appraisal, where we will walk you through where the cost goes, and why.

There is more planning and design work before we start building, since we plan for airtightness, sun direction, and performance from day one.Once we are on site, SIPs go up fast, and they can be quicker than normal timber framing. The exact timeline depends on your project, so we can walk you through it once we know more about yours.

SIPs stands for structural insulated panels, wall and roof panels made ahead of time in a factory. They go up fast and seal tight, and they keep in heat much better than normal wood framing, which helps us reach the airtightness and warmth that a Passive or high-performance home needs.Hempcrete is a plant-based building material made from the woody core of the hemp plant. It lets your home breathe, has a low carbon footprint, and naturally helps control moisture and temperature inside your home.We use both because they help us build a home that works well and is kinder to the planet.

Yes, every home is different, so the right plan depends on what you are working with. Get in touch and we will talk through how it could work for your house.

Get in touch. We are always happy to talk through your questions and help you figure out the right approach for your home.