10 things to know before hiring your contractor

A Passive House requires precision, not guesswork. If a contractor hesitates when you bring up airtightness, thermal bridging, or mechanical ventilation, they aren’t the right partner for your future home. At Pasidera, we believe in radical transparency and technical excellence from the very first meeting. Ready to build with confidence? Let’s ensure your project is done right the first time.
Building a home is a journey, but it should never be left to chance. Choosing the right contractor is the single most important decision you will make in your Passive House project. It’s not just about the lowest bid; it’s about the long-term health of your family and the integrity of your investment. Before you sign any contract, here are the 10 essential truths you need to know to avoid the common traps of the construction industry.

"At Pasidera, we don't just answer these questions, we build our entire workflow around them. We treat every home as a laboratory for comfort and a masterpiece of efficiency."

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Licensing & Insurance are Non-Negotiable:
A contractor without valid insurance is a disaster waiting to happen. Ask to see the physical documents. If they get defensive, walk away.
Anyone can post a nice photo. Ask for two past clients you can actually call. Ask them: “Did they stay on budget?” and “How did they handle problems?”
If it isn’t in the contract, it doesn’t exist. Verbal agreements are the primary source of renovation nightmares. Get every detail, timeline, and material spec on paper.
Never pay 100% upfront. A reputable contractor will have a clear schedule tied to milestones (e.g., foundation, framing, insulation, etc.).
Many contractors manage the project while subcontractors do the labor. Ensure you know the quality standards of those sub-teams, especially for critical things like airtightness in a Passive House.
A professional will handle all permit applications. If a contractor suggests “skipping” permits to save money, they are putting your investment at huge risk.
Always assume the project will cost 10-20% more than the initial estimate due to unforeseen issues. If a contractor says there will never be unexpected costs, they aren’t being honest.
How do they handle bad news? You want a contractor who alerts you to a problem the moment it appears, not someone who hides it until the walls are closed up.
If you are building a Passive House, verify their track record with high-performance buildings. Regular builders often miss details such as thermal bridging or airtightness.
Construction is stressful. Do you feel like you can communicate with this person? If you feel intimidated or ignored during the interview phase, that feeling will only get worse once the project starts.

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1 Comment
vamtam
November 12, 2022

It has a much better R-value for insulation than the previous exterior wall – and it looks beautiful.

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