If you're planning to build a custom home, renovate your current space, or simply explore what high-performance living looks like, you likely have a lot of questions. Who will design your home? How does the building process work? Can a sustainable home still reflect your personal style? And what does it really mean to build a net-zero home?
At Sustainable 9 Design+Build, we believe an informed homeowner is an empowered homeowner. That's why we're answering some of the most common questions we receive and sharing a little more about who we are, what we do, and what you can expect when partnering with our team.
Absolutely.
While many homeowners choose to partner with us for a complete design + build experience, you are not limited to a single path. Depending on your project goals, you can engage our team for architectural design, interior design, remodeling services, or a fully integrated custom home experience. Learn more about what we do.
Building a home should feel exciting, not overwhelming. At Sustainable 9, we are a cost-plus builder, which means your budget remains central throughout the entire process. You have full visibility into where every dollar goes, how it’s allocated, and what has been saved along the way, ensuring complete transparency from start to finish.
Our five-phase process: Discover, Design, Development, Detail, Deliver—guides every project with clarity and intention. By integrating design, budgeting, and construction from the start, we create a more predictable experience with fewer surprises and greater confidence as your project moves forward.
In addition, every Sustainable 9 homeowner gains access to our exclusive S9+ Client Care Program—an elevated service designed to protect, maintain, and continually enhance your home over time.
The answer is simple: the home you want.
Whether you’re envisioning a modern lakeside retreat, a transitional family home, a Scandinavian-inspired residence, a farmhouse, or a timeless traditional design, we’re here to bring that vision to life with precision and care.
All-electric? Absolutely.
Net zero? You Betcha.
Rambler? You got it.
Cabin? We can build it.
Yes. Many of the homes we design and build are created to meet rigorous third-party performance standards that improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality, durability, and overall sustainability. All of our homes are certified in the following categories and come standard in every Sustainable 9 home we build.
All of our homes are certified through the Center for Energy and Environment, ensuring every project meets rigorous performance and sustainability standards.
For each home, we provide clients with a comprehensive, easy-to-understand performance report that includes: the certifications their home achieves, detailed results from blower door testing (air leakage measurements), and the home’s HERS Index score.
We also outline projected annual energy costs and estimated savings, along with a transparent breakdown of the home’s key sustainability features—from envelope performance and mechanical systems to materials and efficiency strategies.
That's perfectly okay.
Whether your style is traditional, transitional, Scandinavian, farmhouse, contemporary, or something entirely your own, we tailor every design to your preferences and lifestyle.
There's nothing outside our scope!
Absolutely.
Our team has extensive experience designing homes that rely entirely on electric systems while maintaining exceptional comfort through Minnesota's cold winters.
At Sustainable 9, sustainability isn't a feature you add later. It's integrated into every decision we make from the very beginning. Because you shouldn't have to choose between great design and great performance. You deserve both.
Ready to build? Let's connect.
