SIP Home Construction Process & Cost: Info for Homeowners

Experience The Difference With SIPS

Build The Home You Deserve

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) aren’t just building materials—they’re the foundation of a home that protects, nurtures, and performs. SIPs create a strong, airtight envelope that keeps your family more comfortable, healthier, and safer year-round.

Feel warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer, and cut energy bills by over 60%. Want Net-Zero, Passive House, or LEED? SIPs make it possible—fast.

Cleaner air. Fewer allergens. No drafts. SIPs create a more comfortable space where you can breathe easier, sleep deeper, and live better—every single day.

And beyond comfort, you’re building a legacy. SIPs use fewer resources and dramatically reduce energy use, giving back to the planet while giving more to your family.

Build a home that cares for you—and for the future.

SIPs Basics

BENEFITS OF SIPS

Why Do Savvy Homeowners Choose SIPs Over Traditional Framing?

Energy Efficiency

SIPs are an exceptionally efficient system that saves 60-100% on energy consumption. With a SIP home you'll reduce your carbon footprint and make a lasting impact for the future.

Strength and Durability

Twice as strong as traditional site framed homes, SIPs homes are fire, earthquake and hurricane ready, providing superior protection against natural disasters.

Long-Term Savings

More than a home, SIPs are a smart investment. With lower monthly energy bills, higher home values, and green home loan & insurance options, SIP homes pay you back, month after month.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly by design, SIPs reduce construction waste, use sustainable, recyclable materials, and slash energy consumption. Build a greener tomorrow with a SIP home.

Speed of Construction

Factory-built panels install up to twice as fast as stick framing, so your contractor can build faster, cut labor needs, combat weather challenges, and keep your project on schedule.

Health & Comfort

SIPs improve indoor air quality by reducing drafts and limiting outdoor pollutants, while also providing quieter, more comfortable living spaces throughout every room.

Stronger, Greener, Yours

Your Healthier, Happier Home Awaits

SIPs are 15 times more airtight than traditional stick framing, thanks to their dual-faced, sheathed walls and roofs and solid cavity design.

This superior airtightness keeps outdoor pollutants, allergens, and airborne irritants from entering your home, creating an incredibly healthy living environment. For those with asthma, COPD, or other lung conditions, this means cleaner, fresher air inside — a game-changer for comfort and health.

With a growing global population affected by respiratory issues, SIPs offer not just efficiency and sustainability but also a safer haven for better breathing and well-being.

Breathe Easy With SIPs

What to Expect When Working With Premier SIPS

The timeline below serves as your guide through the steps involved in the SIP house building process, outlining what you can expect throughout the lifecycle of your project.

Collaborate with your architect or designer to create your SIP house plans. You or your contractor can submit your approved home place to your local Premier SIPS Representative, who will provide a Project Estimate within 5 to 10 business days.

If your Architect or Contractor has questions along the way, they should reach out to the local Premier SIPS expert in their area.

Sign and return your Project Estimate, which outlines the pricing information and terms and conditions for both parties. Please note that approval of the estimate requires a non-refundable deposit to begin the drafting and project management process.

You will be assigned a dedicated Premier SIPS Project Manager who will provide you with custom SIP Layout Drawings, typically within 10 business days of estimate approval.

Consult your Architect or Contractor to review the Layout Drawings for accuracy and approve them by signing each drawing in the set. This process includes two rounds of revisions, with any additional edits subject to extra fees. A "Layout Drawing Review Checklist" is available to assist in this process.

Your finalized and approved SIP house designs are converted into Production Details, which Premier SIPS uses to fabricate your panels. Additionally, your Project Manager will create a final Contract of Sale (COS). To initiate production, please sign and return the COS along with a 50% down payment.

Once the signed COS and down payment are received and cleared, your project will enter the production schedule. Because we do not sell uniform, pre-manufactured SIP home kits, any changes made after production begins may result in delayed shipment and additional charges.

Within 10 business days of your project entering production, the Premier Shipping Manager will reach out to confirm and schedule your delivery date. The final balance must be paid in full before shipment unless alternative arrangements have been made.

Review your COS for a detailed overview of your SIPs delivery. Unlike conventional framing, SIPs occupy a larger footprint, so planning for trucks to deliver pre-fabricated roof and wall panels during this stage will facilitate easier installation.

A representative must be on-site to receive the shipment and physically inventory the SIPs according to the provided packing list. If any items are missing or damaged, note these on the Packing Slip from the delivery driver and immediately inform your Project Manager for assistance.

Your custom-built SIPs are finally ready for installation! Be sure to keep your SIP home plans in a safe place on the jobsite, as contractors and installers will refer to these often.

PROJECT PROFILES

Take a SIP of Inspiration

Premier SIPS have been transforming homes since the 1980s, shaping thousands of dream homes across North America. With countless projects to explore, you'll find endless inspiration for building a home that’s as unique and lasting as your vision.

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SIPs vs Sticks: There's No Contest

Choosing how you build your home is one of the most important decisions you'll make—and it pays to choose performance. Compared to outdated stick framing, Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) deliver unmatched energy efficiency, strength, and durability. If you're aiming for a high-performance home that saves money, boosts comfort, and stands the test of time, the difference is clear.

	Sticks	SIPS
Energy Efficiency	Traditional site framing uses batt insulation between wood studs. This leaves hundreds of connections and thermal bridges in the building shell that lead to major heat loss. To meet 2021+ energy codes, builders must now add continuous exterior insulation to compensate and meet energy efficiency requirements.	SIPs’ naturally exceed today's most rigorous energy codes, and comply with continuous insulation building code requirements. SIPs eliminate the need to wrap the home in an extra layer of insulation, because they already minimize air leaks and thermal bridging, to deliver reduced energy bills and more consistent indoor temperatures.
Strength and Durability	While traditional homes can be sturdy, they rely on numerous joints, varying lumber quality, and framing that can warp or shift over time—creating bowed surfaces and weak points throughout the structure and reducing long-term durability.	SIPs deliver exceptional strength through structural-grade OSB facings and a solid insulation core—the same material used under highways and bridges (Geofoam). The materials are laminated together, using adhesives found in glulam beams, bonding the panel into one solid unit that evenly distributes loads and resists high winds, seismic forces, and long-term movement.
Speed of Construction	Traditional stick-built homes take longer to cut, measure, and assemble on-site—leaving more room for human error and requiring highly skilled framing labor. Insulation is handled by a separate contractor, adding more coordination, scheduling, and delays. The result? Longer timelines and higher costs.	SIPs build faster than traditional framing because the large panels are precision-cut in the factory and arrive ready to assemble. With insulation, sheathing, and electrical chases already built in, there’s no need for extra trades or on-site drilling—saving time, reducing coordination, and accelerating the entire construction process.
Eco-Friendly	Traditional building methods generate significant on-site waste from cutting lumber and insulation, while gaps in energy performance lead to higher emissions over time. The result? More waste, more energy use, and a long-term negative impact on the environment.	Eco-conscious homeowners will appreciate that SIPs offer a more sustainable way to build—reducing on-site waste, lowering the home’s carbon footprint, and using materials that are recyclable and responsibly sourced. All lowering the home's carbon footprint.
Design Flexibility	Stick framing may offer builders more flexibility to make adjustments on-site, which can be useful to homeowners who want creative design freedom throughout the build.	SIPs offer exceptional design flexibility before production. Panels can be precisely cut and shaped to fit various architectural styles, including vaulted ceilings and large windows. Custom panels are pre-manufactured based on your home’s design, requiring planning and a final home plan upfront.
Long-Term Savings	Traditional site framed building methods may have a slightly lower lumber & insulation material costs, but these homes require more field installation labor, longer construction timelines, and will have higher energy bills for the life of the home.	While the initial cost of SIPs may seem higher, much of the labor is incorporated in the factory manufacturing process. Long-term savings come directly from reduced energy bills, faster construction, and higher home values—resulting in a clear and valuable payback over time.

Frequently Asked Questions About SIP Houses

What is a SIP house?

A SIP home is a type of energy-efficient construction that uses panels made from a layer of rigid foam insulation sandwiched between two structural facings. They’re particularly popular in green building practices and among those looking to create sustainable, energy-efficient homes.

How long will a SIPs house last?

SIP homes typically have a lifespan of 50 years or more, depending on factors such as material quality, maintenance, and environmental conditions. Properly designed and constructed SIPs can provide long-lasting durability.

How much does it cost to build a SIPs house?

SIP home prices can vary significantly due to several factors. Although the initial investment may be higher than traditional construction methods, many homeowners find that long-term savings in energy efficiency and lower utility bills can offset this cost over time.

Can SIPs be used in any climate?

Yes, their superior insulation properties make them suitable for both hot and cold environments. SIPs help regulate indoor temperatures, keeping homes comfortable year-round, regardless of external weather conditions.

How do SIPs affect heating and cooling systems?

SIPs enhance the energy efficiency of heating and cooling systems by providing superior insulation and minimizing air leakage. As a result, homes built with SIPs require less energy to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures, leading to lower utility bills and reduced strain on HVAC systems.

OUR INDUSTRY

Accreditations & Affiliations

Next Steps

Already have SIP home designs and are ready to move forward? Still have questions and want to learn more? Fill out the form on this page and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.

Montana Manufacturing

15 Arden Drive
Belgrade, MT 59714

Washington Manufacturing

18504 Canyon Road East
Puyallup, Washington 98375

Your Vision. Built To A Higher Standard.