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.

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

Have you ever built a double-wall house?