Top Questions To Ask A High Performance Builder Before You Buy
In this article, we are going to give you some of the top questions to ask a high-performance builder during the interview process. These are questions that they should be able to answer based on the knowledge and experience of building high-performance homes.

- How do air barriers differ from vapor barriers?
- What is a Breathable Vapor Barrier?
- When and where is a breathable vapor barrier used in a house envelope?
- When is a breathable vapor barrier not required?
- What direction does warm air move toward?
- What direction does moisture move?
- What causes mold?
- Explain how & when you “Air Seal” on the outside and inside of a house.
- What is a Thermal Boundary used for?
- What is Thermal Bridging and what would you to cause one? (Trick Question)
- What is a Thermal Break and how can you avoid one?
- What is a blower door and what is its purpose? How often do you use it?
- What is the difference between R-value and U-values?
- What is a HERS rating used for?
- What types of Air Exchangers have you used?
- Have you ever installed Mini-Splits and other heat pumps?
- What do you know about Heat Pump Water heaters?
- What do you think about ICF foundations?
- Explain your favorite method of preparing for under slab?
- Vapor Barrier type and method of sealing
- Horizontal Insulation ( How much? )
- Vertical insulation
- Slab Edge protection
- Explain the difference between open and closed cell foam insulation and how you would install each one correctly?
- Explain when you would prefer foam instead of cellulose of fiberglass?
- How do you ventilate a house?
- Attic
- Rafters
- Trusses
- Bathroom Vents
- Is there a time when you wouldn’t ventilate a house?
- Have you ever installed GeoThermal systems in a house? If yes, explain
- Do you install Solar PV and HW?
- What do you know about triple glaze windows?
Have you ever built a double-wall house?