Cost of Building a Green Home [2024 Data]

If you’re thinking of building new construction, you might be considering going green—or your local building department might require it. The average cost to build a green home is around $340,000, and most homeowners spend between $130,000 and $570,000. The range is unusually wide because there are seemingly countless factors that influence your total price, from square footage and finishes to land preparation and foundation type.

In this guide, we’ll explain the cost of building a green home, and help you get a better idea of what your environmentally-friendly build will total.

Building a Green Home Cost Factors

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There are a lot of factors that you’ll need to consider in order to get an accurate idea of what your green home will cost. Some of these will influence where in the normal range your total falls.

Land and Preparation

Land costs will always be a factor when you’re building a green home. If you already have land, then you know the exact price, but if you’re still searching, the total will depend on geographical location, the size of the lot, proximity to schools, airports, and commercial real estate, and more. Since your blueprints and structural drawings will vary based on your specific property, it’s a good idea to choose a plot before designing your green home.

Land costs can range from around $5,000 up to $500,000 or more, so the total you pay for your plot is a major factor here. Keep in mind that the building prices we’ve mentioned above don’t include land costs, as the number varies wildly.

You might also need to pay for a land survey as well as land preparation, including clearing trees, leveling the plot, or excavating for the foundation. We have included the average land preparation cost in our totals above, which can range from $2,000 to $12,000 or more.

Blueprint Costs

In order to get permits approved and give a custom home builder plans to work from, you’ll need to have a structural engineer and an architect design and draw up structural drawings and detailed building plans for your green home. The cost for an architect to draw up blueprints and structural drawings averages around $1,800, but you could pay anywhere from $750 up to around $20,000.

It’s a good idea to hire an architect who specializes in green homes. They will have a better idea of what building materials to use and what components to include to make your home as sustainable and energy-efficient as possible.

Permits and Inspection Fees

Much like when you build a standard house, building a green home will require building permits and inspection fees. These should cost around $1,500, but small projects could run as low as $500, and you might pay as much as $2,500.

All standard building permits apply, including the following:

• Electrical permits

• Plumbing permits

• HVAC permits

• Septic or public waste connection permits

• Fencing permits

• General building permits

For a green home, you might also need to get permits for things like solar panels or geothermal HVAC equipment. These fees are included in the figures above.

Labor

You can expect around 40% of your total cost—between $52,000 and $228,000 or an average of $136,000—to go toward the labor. This covers everything from pouring the foundation and framing the house to completing interior finish work.

For the most part, the labor is going to be equivalent to building a traditional home, but there are some exceptions for a green home. For example, insulation with a high R-value is a big part of boosting the energy efficiency in a green home, and installing spray foam insulation or rigid foam board insulation that meets green standards can take significantly longer to install.

Your contractors may also need to take additional care to seal between the framing and the foundation and between your framing and the sheathing to create an airtight fit that won’t leak air. All told, your labor costs will likely end up being around 10% to 15% higher for a green home.

Foundation

Pouring a new foundation costs an average of $9,100, but your total will depend heavily on the footprint of your green home, and the type of foundation you’re building. In most cases, you can expect to pay between $4 and $37 per square foot for your foundation, broken down as follows based on foundation type.

There are a few things to consider when it comes to your foundation type and how sustainable you’re looking to make your home:

• Pier and beam foundations use the least amount of concrete.

• You might be limited in your choices based on the climate in your area—for example, basements are typically required in cold climates to reach below the frost line.

• Crawl spaces, basements, and pier and beam foundations can be challenging to insulate, so slabs might be best if you live in a hot climate.

If they specialize in green homes, ask your architect and your builder which foundation type is best for you.

Framing

When it comes to framing out structural walls, you have two main options: studs and bricks.

Studs are made of wood, so you should plan on getting them from a supplier who mitigates their environmental impact. Framing usually costs between $20,000 and $50,000 with standard lumber, but you could pay between $23,000 and $60,000 to ensure you’re getting sustainable wood.

Building brick walls for a green home will cost between $17,000 and $40,000. Not only is it more affordable, but it tends to be more insulative than wood, has a longer lifespan, and is recyclable, so it’s the more popular choice for green homes.

Exterior Finishes

With the foundation and framing out of the way, you’ll want to think about the exterior finishes for your green home. Those include roofing, siding, windows, and doors.

Roofing

Roofing for a green home will usually average around $9,200, but you could pay between $5,000 and $50,000, depending on the size and material you choose. When it comes to roofing materials, there are a few options. The table below includes some average pricing, as well as insulative value.

Asphalt roofs are the most common in America, and they’re a suitable option for green homes. They are often made of recycled material, and old asphalt shingles can be recycled. It’s a good idea to ask your builder to source sustainable asphalt shingles, just to be safe.

Metal roofing can also be 100% recyclable, as can clay. Slate and wood are natural but not fully recyclable. You should consider your climate in addition to sustainability. In sunnier climates, a reflective metal roof might be the best and most sustainable option, but speak with your builder about which material is right for your area.

Siding

Siding for your green home will cost about $11,500, on average, but your total will vary based on the materials you choose. For a standard 2,000-square-foot home, you’re looking at anywhere from $10,000 to $27,000 for vinyl or wood or between $18,000 and $100,000 for brick or stone. Stucco siding will total around $14,000.

When you’re choosing siding, it’s a good idea to consider its thermal value, as a more insulative siding like stucco will keep your home more energy-efficient. The best siding for your green home depends largely on the climate in your area, so speak with your builder to see which material is the best option for you.

Windows

The average cost to install a window in a standard home is around $800, but for green homes, you’re likely looking at a per-window cost of around $1,200. Most homeowners building a green home are going to opt for more insulative frame materials, like fiberglass or wood clad, and they might consider triple-pane glass over double-pane glass. The table below includes a quick look at window prices based on materials and insulation.

Since efficiency is one of the top priorities when building a green home, many people also consider special glass or glass coatings to reduce how much solar heat gets through and how much energy is lost to the outside. Below are some common options, along with pricing:

• Double-pane glass: This is a standard option and is included in the pricing above

• Triple-pane glass: Additional $500 to $1,000 per window

• Low-emissivity (low-E) coating: Additional $300 to $1,000 per window

• Window tinting: Additional $600 per window

Doors

Exterior doors tend to lose far less heat than windows, but it’s still important to get highly insulative materials. Much like with window frames, a fiberglass exterior door will provide better insulation than a wood door. You can expect to pay between $600 and $2,000 per exterior door, with wood doors costing less than fiberglass ones.

It’s also worth mentioning that solid doors without glass in them will be better insulators, so they’re more common on green homes. Your builder might also recommend upgrading the weatherstripping around your doors, which can cost an extra $300 per door.

Interior Finishes

Many of the interior design choices will leave you with flexibility, as they play less of a role in maximizing your energy efficiency, but there are still some important decisions to make to create a truly green home.

Pro Tip

Don’t go for low-grade materials just to save on price. Oftentimes mid-grade options start at only 10% more and last much longer than economy-grade materials typically found at the big box stores.

Dave Grulke

Owner, Big Dave’s Services - Remodeling and Home Improvement

Insulation

The insulation you choose for your green home, for example, is one of the most important decisions. You have a few options, each with a different R-value and upfront cost. For green homes, it’s important to maximize the R-value. Doing so can often save money on your heating and cooling bills down the road, even if it comes at a higher upfront cost.

The type of insulation you choose plays a major role in your home’s energy efficiency, so while foam board and spray foam insulation will add more to the cost of building a green home, they’re often well worth the investment.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading your insulation can save up to 15% on heating and cooling bills. Just make sure to speak with your builder about which insulation is right for your climate. ENERGY STAR provides guidance on the recommended R-value based on geographical location, which you should plan to exceed for a green home.

Drywall

Drywalling a standard home will cost between $3,000 and $6,000, which includes hanging the drywall, taping, and mudding, but you should expect to spend between $3,500 and $9,000 to drywall a green home.

The installation process is identical, but many people choose thicker drywall for green homes, as it boosts sound dampening as well as insulation for your living space. In a typical home, you’ll find 1/2-inch drywall on walls and 3/4-inch drywall on ceilings, but in a green home, many people opt for 3/4-inch or even 1-inch drywall all around.

Unfortunately, drywall is one of the least sustainable building materials that goes into building a home, so you should speak with your builder about alternatives or sourcing drywall that’s more environmentally friendly. You can opt for something like EcoSmart from USG Sheetrock, which contains 100% USDA-certified biobased content.

Painting

Painting the interior of your green home will cost between $2,000 and $12,000 in most cases, depending on square footage. Most green home builders will choose a paint with a low concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to reduce strain on the environment.

You might want to consider a VOC-absorbing paint, as well, to improve indoor air quality. You might pay a bit extra, but the impact is worth the extra money.

Flooring

Installing flooring will account for around $15,000 to $80,000 of your total cost to build a house, including plywood subflooring and the flooring material itself. The table below includes some flooring options and average installation prices per square foot.

Generally speaking, you’ll likely want to stay away from carpet, laminate, and vinyl for a green home.

• Carpet is technically recyclable, but the infrastructure for recycling it isn’t strong.

• Producing laminate requires adhesives that tend to produce VOCs, which are bad for the environment.

• Vinyl can be recycled, but the process is complicated and energy-intensive.

Concrete, hardwood, stone, and tile are some of the more sustainable flooring options for your green home.

Kitchens and Bathrooms

The average cost to install a kitchen in your green home sits around $27,000, although it depends on the size of the room and the quality of the materials you use. Opting for hardwood cabinets that are sustainably sourced and a natural countertop material like granite that comes from an environmentally friendly source are great ways to stay green.

The cost to install a bathroom will usually sit around $12,000, but it will depend heavily on the type of bathroom you install.

Similar to kitchens, you can choose more sustainable building materials to stay green, including ceramic tile, natural stone countertops, and sustainably sourced wood vanities.

Lighting and Electrical

You can expect to pay between $200 and $1,200 per lighting fixture in your green home or a total of between $2,400 and $15,000.

Most people building green homes choose smart light fixtures controlled by dimmers to conserve energy and maintain control over electricity consumption at all times. Smart fixtures and dimmers will cost a bit more than standard ones, usually between $400 and $3,000 more overall.

Home Systems

Finally, you’ll need to consider the cost of your home systems, including plumbing, electrical, and HVAC components.

Plumbing

Plumbing usually costs between $7,500 and $15,000 for a green home, plus around $3,000 to connect to local sewers or between $3,500 and $10,000 to install a septic system.

Your builder will have to comply with local building codes, which means you’ll have restrictions on the materials you can use for waste and supply lines. Copper is acceptable throughout the country for supply lines, and it’s 100% recyclable without any loss in integrity, making it the best option for use in a green home. Do your best to avoid PEX piping, as this material is not easily recyclable and has a far greater negative impact on the environment.

You can also reduce your water consumption to boost sustainability by choosing low-flow faucets, toilets, and appliances. You’ll often pay around 10% more for these options, but they’re worth the investment if you want to go green.

Electrical

Installing an electrical system in your green home will cost around $10,000, on average. There are a few things you can choose in terms of your electrical service to make your home more energy-efficient:

• Motion sensors for lights: $20 to $100 per fixture

• Timer switches for bathroom fans: $30 to $60 per bathroom

• Electric vehicle (EV) chargers: $700 to $2,200 (level 2 charger)

• Smart controls for fixtures and appliances: $200 to $500 per room

Upgrading your home to include a renewable energy source like solar panels is also a great way to maximize how green your home is. Installing solar panels will add around $27,000, and installing batteries could add an additional $10,000 to $20,000. Solar is expensive, but it often pays for itself by saving you money on electric bills and providing rebates and incentives for energy independence.

HVAC

Typical HVAC systems cost around $7,500, but you’ll more likely spend between $9,000 and $15,000 for high-efficiency HVAC equipment that you can control remotely.

Smart HVAC controls and smart thermostats are great ways to maximize your home’s efficiency. You should also consider choosing ENERGY STAR-certified heating and cooling equipment, which should cut down on utility bills and keep your home more comfortable.

Your builder should also take the time to ensure that your ducts are properly sealed, as air loss to the space behind your walls can destroy efficiency.

Green Home Building Cost by Square Foot

On average, you can expect to spend between $110 and $600 per square foot to build a green home. This is a bit higher than a standard home—between $100 and $500 per square foot—because green homes demand environmentally friendly building materials, sustainably sourced products, and higher-quality material and processes that better seal the home and boost energy efficiency.

Building a Green Home Ongoing Expenses

Building a green home will be more expensive than building a standard home that’s less efficient, but the added investment will often pay for itself when it comes to savings on utilities. Below are some examples of savings you’ll see when building a green home.

• Higher-quality materials used for a green home typically require less ongoing maintenance.

• Better insulation can reduce heating and cooling costs by around 15%.

• More efficient HVAC equipment can reduce annual heating and cooling bills by $140, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

• A solar array can eliminate electric bills or at least significantly reduce them.

• Low-flow faucets can reduce water consumption by 700 gallons per year.

• High-efficiency appliances can save up to 30% on water bills and use half as much electricity as traditional ones.

With all of that being said, you will have ongoing maintenance costs for green homes, much like you would for a traditional house. We’ll detail some of the things you can expect to pay for to maintain good energy efficiency over time below.

• Home energy assessments: $100 to $500 every one to two years

• Appliance maintenance and inspections: $100 to $300 annually

• HVAC tune-ups: $200 to $400 one to two times per year

• HVAC duct inspections: $150 to $500 once every three to five years

DIY Vs. Hiring a Pro

You should leave the building process of any home to professionals, whether you’re building a standard house or a green home. The build process is not only extremely involved, but most municipalities require certified professionals to handle the work, especially when it comes to pouring foundations, roughing in plumbing, installing electrical wiring, and installing septic systems.

Even if you’re a highly experienced DIYer, you should call in professionals if you’re looking to build a green home. You’ll likely need help from a structural engineer, an architect, a general contractor, and subcontractors, including plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians.

If you have some experience and want to save some money on your green home build, you can opt to do some of the finish work yourself, like installing drywall, painting, putting up trim, and installing interior doors. It’s best to leave the insulative and exterior materials to a professional, though, as mistakes made as a DIYer when doing things like insulation can be a detriment to your green home’s energy efficiency.

Cost of Common Green Home Add-Ons

In addition to efficiency, green homes tend to prioritize indoor air quality, water quality, and other features related to efficiency and sustainability. Below are some common add-ons homeowners choose when building green homes.

• Whole-home air filtration: At an average cost of $2,500, these purify the air in your home to improve health and wellness.

• Built-in water filtration system: Totaling around $1,000 for a standard carbon filter or $4,000 for a reverse osmosis (RO) filter, these remove impurities and minerals from your water.

• Tankless water heater: Tankless water heaters are between 8% and 34% more efficient than standard tank water heaters, according to the Department of Energy. Expect these to cost around $2,500.

• Smart lawn irrigation system: These sprinkler systems help conserve water by checking local weather reports before turning on. You’ll pay between $3,000 and $7,000 for this system in most cases.

How to Save Money When Building a Green Home

Building a green home will undoubtedly be more expensive than building a traditional, less efficient house, but there are some ways you can save money upfront and in the long run:

• Choose high-quality materials: You’ll pay more upfront for higher-quality building materials, but you’ll also face replacement costs less often, which means you’re likely to see lower upkeep costs over time.

• Upgrade your insulation: You’ll pay around twice as much for rigid foam board or spray foam insulation as you would for traditional fiberglass rolls, but your heating and cooling savings will usually more than make up the difference over the long haul.

• Choose energy-efficient fixtures: Upgrading to low-flow fixtures and appliances and smart electricity controls will cost around 5% to 10% more than standard options, but they’ll save you money each month on electric and water bills.

• Order materials yourself: Ordering materials through your builder will often come with an upcharge. If you’re up to the task, source materials yourself. This also gives you more control over how sustainable all of the materials are.

• Choose materials based on your climate: It might seem like opting for the highest R-value when choosing building materials or the most energy-efficient window frame materials always makes sense, but you can save money by choosing less efficient materials that are better suited to your climate. Respect the law of diminishing returns for maximum value and sustainability.

• Use natural sun and shade: Since you’re designing your home, you can position windows so that they get sun to warm your interior in the winter to save on heating bills. You can also strategically plant trees to shade your windows in warmer climates to prevent solar heat gain through the glass.