PH homes are 5-10% more expensive to build than a conventional code home, for a number of reasons related to increased material and labor costs. First, PH walls are typically thicker than a standard wall in a U.S. home, requiring more lumber and, hence, more insulation. Second, PH homes use a higher quality window and door package, which also increases cost. In addition, the materials used overall for PH homes tend to be of a higher quality, which in turn leads to higher costs.
Finally, in order to make sure all the construction details are met to achieve PH standards, extra attention by the construction team is required in order to meet the mandates of PH, including air, water, and bug sealing, which increases labor cost. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for and, in order to achieve such a high-performance home that is more durable, lower-maintenance, and comfortable, there is a higher cost for that quality.