SEED HOMES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How does it work? 

Seed Homes are partially prefabricated. We start with boxes made in a modular factory but to our specifications. Then we wrap the houses in layers of insulation on site. We add beautiful low maintenance siding and finishes. We complete the house with super-efficient all electric HVAC equipment and water heater, a PV solar system, water recapture and energy star lighting and appliances.  All of our products are natural and healthy. Our indoor air quality is beyond compare.

What are the products that are used in the houses? 

Here is a list of some of our standard specifications:

EXTERIOR:

•       Highly insulated exterior walls, roof and crawlspace (or basement)

•       Triple pane windows 

•       Natural siding (Cedar or Shou Sugi Ban or other woods, metals or composite cement panels)

•        Solar shading

•       Photo-Voltaic Solar panels. (or Tesla roof).

•       Rain barrels or pumped water collection system

•       Ipe decks, Bluestone patios

INTERIOR:

•       Hardwood Floors

•       Porcelain Tile wet area floors  

•       Kohler Bath fixtures

•       Solid Wood cabinetry

•       LED Lights

Systems

•       High Efficiency Ducted/ Ductless mini-split heat pump heating and cooling.

•       Panasonic ERVs for fresh air

•       AO Smith Hybrid Heat pump Water Heaters

How much does it cost?

•       Purchasing the plans cost $10 per sf. This includes 10 hours to alter plans, coordination of the build with the factory and work to obtain permits.  (Example: If you select a 2,000 sf SEED Home it costs $20,000 to purchase, additional design hours will be invoiced at $100/hour.)

•       Additionally, the purchase and construction of the house itself costs approximately $350 - 400/sf (Depending on selections)

•       Additionally, Site work Including basement typically costs between $100,000 and $300,000 depending on the site. (This includes bringing electric service to the site, supplying well, supplying septic, (or water and sewer hookup) clearing trees, creating driveway, installing water detention or infiltration tanks per local code.  

How long does it take?

•       From start of contract to move in date, it typically takes ten months to one year to complete.  

What is the ideal piece of land for my modular Green Home? 

•       Flat or gently sloping land with a southern exposure is ideal. Also consider that most of your windows will be on the south side to collect solar heat gain. Ideally your south facing wall with windows faces a good view and has some privacy (It does not face the street.) 

•       Rocks and ledges add a lot of cost, especially if you want a basement.

•       Try to avoid wetlands, historic and community regulated zones that will have a lot of say on what you can build and may not allow things like solar panels.