Frequently Asked Questions About Green Home & Straw Bale Building in Boise
EarthCraft Construction has been building sustainable, high-performance homes in Idaho since 1978. Here are answers to the most common questions we hear from clients considering green building, straw bale construction, passive solar design, LEED certification, and sustainable remodeling.
About EarthCraft Construction
How long has EarthCraft Construction been in business?
EarthCraft Construction was founded by Ron Hixson in 1978, making us one of Idaho's first green building companies. We've been building sustainable, energy-efficient homes in the Treasure Valley for over 40 years. President Jon Clark has led the company for the past five years, continuing Ron's legacy of high-performance, environmentally responsible construction.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Boise, Nampa, Eagle, Meridian, Kuna, Caldwell, and the greater Treasure Valley area in Idaho. We're also licensed in Eastern Oregon. Our primary service area is within about 50 miles of Boise, though we'll consider special projects beyond that range.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We're licensed as general contractors in both Idaho (RCE-27334) and Oregon (CCB-186023). We carry full liability insurance and workers compensation coverage. We can provide proof of insurance upon request.
What makes EarthCraft different from other builders?
We aren't clipboard contractors. We're a true design-build firm where you work directly with President Jon Clark from concept through completion. We specialize in sustainable construction methods like straw bale building that most contractors won't touch. We use cost-plus transparent pricing so you know exactly what things cost. And we've been doing this for over 40 years, built Idaho's first LEED-certified home, and won multiple awards for design excellence.
Straw Bale Construction
What is straw bale construction?
Straw bale construction uses whole bales of wheat straw stacked like oversized bricks, then finished with lime plaster on both interior and exterior surfaces. The result is walls nearly two feet thick with R-45 insulation values, more than double conventional construction. Straw is a readily available renewable resource that regenerates annually and can be sourced locally from Idaho wheat fields.
Are straw bale homes fire-resistant?
Yes. The dense packing of straw bales and lime plaster coating creates walls with excellent fire resistance, often exceeding conventional construction. Straw bales have been tested to 2-hour fire ratings. The tight packing leaves no air for combustion, and the lime plaster provides additional fire protection.
How long do straw bale homes last?
When properly built with good moisture management and protective plaster, straw bale homes can last centuries. The oldest straw bale structures in the U.S. date to the 1890s and are still standing. In Idaho's dry climate, moisture isn't a concern when homes are properly detailed.
Do straw bale homes attract rodents or insects?
No. The tight packing of bales and complete plaster enclosure prevents pest infiltration. We've never had issues with rodents or insects in our straw bale homes. The lime plaster is naturally antimicrobial and inhospitable to pests.
What about moisture and mold in straw bale walls?
Idaho's dry climate is ideal for straw bale construction. Proper detailing at the foundation, roof, and window openings ensures moisture never reaches the straw. The lime plaster is naturally antimicrobial and vapor-permeable, allowing any minor moisture to dissipate while preventing bulk water intrusion.
How much does a straw bale home cost?
When coming to an estimate for a custom home, it's less about the square footage than how the home is built. Straw bale construction costs are comparable to conventional high-performance construction, typically $200 to $350 per square foot depending on finishes and complexity. But your operating costs will be dramatically lower. Our straw bale homes maintain themselves for as little as $30 per month in utilities.
Passive Solar Design
What is passive solar design?
Passive solar design uses your home's architecture to capture, store, and distribute solar energy naturally without mechanical systems. It involves orienting the home properly, placing large windows on the south side to capture winter sun, using thermal mass to store that energy, providing proper insulation to retain it, and calculating roof overhangs to shade summer sun while allowing winter sun in.
Does passive solar work in Boise Idaho?
Absolutely. Boise's climate is nearly perfect for passive solar design. We have over 200 sunny days per year, significant temperature swings between day and night, cold winters that benefit from solar heat gain, and low humidity that supports highperformance construction. We've built passive solar homes that maintain 68 to 72 degrees year-round with minimal backup heating.
Will passive solar homes overheat in summer?
Not with proper design. Properly calculated roof overhangs allow low winter sun to enter while blocking high summer sun. We also incorporate night ventilation strategies and cross-ventilation to cool homes naturally in summer. When designed correctly for Boise's latitude, passive solar homes are comfortable year-round.
How much can passive solar reduce energy costs?
Our passive solar homes typically achieve 50 to 70 percent reduction in heating costs and 40 to 60 percent reduction in cooling costs compared to conventional homes. Combined with high-performance insulation like our R-45 straw bale walls, we've built homes with utility bills of $30 to $80 per month total.
Can you add passive solar to an existing home?
Some elements can be added through remodeling (better insulation, strategic windows, thermal mass) but true passive solar requires proper orientation and design from the beginning. The most critical element, south-facing orientation, can't be changed after the home is built. However, remodels offer opportunities to improve performance even if perfect passive solar isn't possible.
Green Building & Energy Efficiency
What is green home building?
Green building is construction that's conscientious about what we put in the house as it relates to reducing toxicity, using renewable resources, and improving energy efficiency. It involves using sustainable materials, designing for energy performance, creating healthy indoor environments, conserving water, and building durably so structures last for generations. It's a synthesis of natural elements and good design.
Do green homes cost more to build?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. High-performance features like better insulation and better windows may cost 5 to 10 percent more upfront, but energy savings typically recover these costs within 5 to 10 years. Many green strategies like proper orientation and efficient design cost nothing extra. When coming to an estimate, it's less about square footage than how the home is built. We offer long and short term cost-saving solutions to make green homes accessible.
What makes a home energy efficient?
Energy efficiency comes from multiple factors working together: exceptional insulation (we use R-45 walls in straw bale homes), excellent air sealing to prevent drafts, high-performance windows with low-E coatings, passive solar orientation to capture free heat, efficient HVAC systems properly sized for the home's actual load, LED lighting, and Energy Star appliances. It's a systems approach where the whole is greater than the sum of parts.
What is R-45 wall insulation?
R-value measures a material's resistance to heat flow. Higher R-values mean better insulation. Most conventional homes have R-13 to R-20 walls. Our straw bale walls achieve R-45, more than double conventional construction. This exceptional insulation keeps homes comfortable with minimal heating and cooling, resulting in dramatically lower energy costs.
Can you build green homes on a budget?
Yes. As Green Building & Design Magazine notes, "the key to making green homes accessible to all budgets is partnering with a design-build firm that is aware of sustainable practices but is also willing to work with clients on limited budgets." We prioritize improvements based on cost-effectiveness, offer both short and long term cost-saving solutions, and use cost-plus transparent pricing so you understand exactly where money goes.
LEED Certification
What is LEED certification?
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It's the world's most recognized green building certification system, administered by the U.S. Green Building Council. It provides third-party verification that your home meets rigorous standards for energy efficiency, water conservation, material selection, and indoor environmental quality. Projects earn points across multiple categories, with Gold certification requiring 60 to 79 points.
How much does LEED certification cost?
Certification fees run $3,000 to $8,000 depending on project size and certification level. LEED strategies may add 5 to 10 percent to construction costs, though many LEED credits like proper orientation and efficient design cost nothing extra. Energy savings typically recover additional costs within 5 to 10 years, then continue saving money for the life of the home.
What's the difference between LEED and Energy Star?
Energy Star focuses primarily on energy efficiency and is less expensive to certify. LEED is more comprehensive, covering energy, water, materials, indoor air quality, site sustainability, and innovation. LEED provides third-party verification and is more widely recognized, especially for high-performance homes. We can help you decide which certification makes sense for your project.
Is LEED certification worth it?
If third-party verification, marketing value, and potential incentives matter to you, yes. If you just want the performance without the documentation burden, we can build to LEED standards without formal certification. EarthCraft built Idaho's first LEED-certified single-family home, so we understand both the certified and LEED-equivalent approaches.
ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)
What is an ADU in Boise Idaho?
An Accessory Dwelling Unit is a secondary housing unit on a single-family residential lot. It can be detached (separate backyard structure), attached (connected to main house), converted from garage space, or built above a garage. ADUs have their own kitchen, bathroom, and living space. They're complete, self-contained homes, just smaller.
How much does an ADU cost in Boise?
ADU costs vary based on size and finishes. Basic ADUs run $150 to $200 per square foot. Mid-range ADUs cost $200 to $275 per square foot. High-end ADUs are $275 to $350 or more per square foot. A typical 600 square foot one-bedroom ADU costs $120,000 to $165,000 including design, permits, and construction.
Can I rent out my ADU in Boise?
Yes, but owner occupancy is required. You must live in either the main house or the ADU. You can't rent both. The owner must occupy one of the dwellings as their primary residence. This is a Boise city requirement.
How big can an ADU be in Boise?
Boise regulations allow ADUs up to 800 square feet or 40 percent of the primary dwelling size, whichever is greater. Both detached and attached ADUs are permitted, with one ADU allowed per single-family lot. Standard setback and height requirements apply.
Remodeling & Renovations
Can you improve home energy efficiency through remodeling?
Absolutely. Green remodeling can reduce energy costs by 30 to 60 percent through envelope improvements and system upgrades. Air sealing, attic insulation, window replacement, and HVAC upgrades can dramatically improve performance. Some upgrades like air sealing and LED lighting provide significant savings with minimal disruption.
Should I remodel or rebuild?
If the structure is sound and layout is workable, remodeling is almost always greener than demolition and rebuilding. The greenest building is the one already standing. Remodeling preserves embodied energy, reduces waste, and avoids consuming new land. We can help you evaluate whether remodeling or rebuilding makes more sense for your specific situation.
What's the ROI on energy efficient upgrades?
Return on investment varies by upgrade. Air sealing and attic insulation have 2 to 5 year payback. Wall insulation pays back in 5 to 10 years. Window replacement takes 8 to 15 years. HVAC replacement takes 10 to 15 years. Beyond financial return, energy upgrades improve comfort, indoor air quality, and home value immediately.
Building Process & Pricing
What is design-build construction?
Design-build means the same company handles both architectural design and construction. You work with one team from concept through completion instead of hiring separate architects and contractors. This provides better integration between design and construction, single-point accountability, typically faster timelines, and better cost control since the designer understands construction realities.
What is cost-plus pricing?
Cost-plus pricing means materials and labor are charged at actual cost plus a fixed percentage for overhead and profit. You see invoices for materials and labor, so you know exactly what things cost. There are no hidden markups or surprises. This transparent approach builds trust and allows you to make informed decisions about where to invest your money.
How long does it take to build a custom home?
Design and permitting typically takes 8 to 12 weeks. Construction takes 6 to 12 months depending on size and complexity. Total timeline from initial consultation to move-in is typically 12 to 18 months. Weather, permit processing times, and material availability can affect schedules. We provide detailed timelines during the planning phase.
Do I have to use your designs or can I bring my own plans?
We can work either way. We can create custom designs tailored to your needs and site. We can also build from plans you provide from an architect, though we'll review them for constructability, energy performance, and cost. Our design-build approach typically provides the best integration between design intent and construction reality.
Can you help with financing?
We don't provide financing directly, but we can refer you to lenders experienced with construction loans and green building. We provide detailed cost estimates that lenders require. Our cost-plus pricing gives lenders confidence in project costs. Some lenders offer special programs for energy-efficient homes with favorable terms.
Materials & Health
What are low-VOC materials?
VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds. These are chemicals that off-gas from materials like paint, carpet, cabinets, and adhesives. They can cause headaches, respiratory issues, and long-term health problems. Low-VOC or zero-VOC materials reduce or eliminate these emissions, creating healthier indoor air quality. We prioritize low-VOC materials throughout our projects.
Why does indoor air quality matter?
We spend 54 years of our average lifespan inside our homes. Indoor air can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air due to off-gassing from materials, inadequate ventilation, and moisture problems. Healthy indoor environments use low-toxicity materials, proper ventilation, moisture control, and natural materials. This is especially important in tight, energy-efficient homes.
What is formaldehyde and why should I avoid it?
Formaldehyde is a chemical used in many building materials including cabinets, composite wood products, and some insulation. It off-gases into indoor air and is classified as a carcinogen. We specify formaldehyde-free alternatives including solid wood, formaldehyde-free plywood, and natural insulation materials like straw.
Getting Started
How do I get started with EarthCraft Construction?
Call (208) 391-3754 or email [email protected] to schedule an initial consultation with Jon Clark. We'll discuss your goals, budget, timeline, and property. If we're a good fit, we'll move forward with preliminary design and cost estimating. There's no obligation and no pressure. We want to make sure EarthCraft is the right builder for your project.
Do you charge for initial consultations?
Initial consultations and property visits are complimentary. If you decide to move forward with design work, we'll provide a proposal for design services. Design fees are typically credited toward construction if you proceed with building.
What should I prepare before our first meeting?
Think about how you want to live, what matters most to you, and what your environmental values are. Gather any inspiration photos or examples of homes you like. Have a rough idea of budget and timeline. If you own property, have the legal description and any previous surveys or soil tests. But don't worry if you're not fully prepared. We'll help you work through everything.
Can I see examples of your work?
Yes. We can arrange tours of completed projects with owner permission. We have photos and case studies on our website at earthcraftconstruction.com. We can provide references from past clients. Our Boise Avenue LEED Gold home and Danskin Range straw bale residence are flagship examples of our work.
Have more questions?
Call us at (208) 391-3754 or email [email protected]
Building your family's home is sacred work. We're here to answer your questions and help you make informed decisions.
EarthCraft Construction, Inc | Treasure Valley, Idaho
Serving Boise, Oregon & Surrounding Areas (208) 391-3754 | [email protected]
3618 East Newby St, Nampa, ID 83687
EarthCraft Construction, Inc | Treasure Valley, Idaho
Serving Boise, Oregon & Surrounding Areas (208) 391-3754 | [email protected]
1415 South Owyhee St, Boise, ID 83705
Licensed and insured in Idaho RCE-27334 and Oregon CCB-186023
© 2025 EarthCraft Construction, Inc. Built with conservation and integrity since 1978.