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What I Do

I help families build healthy, resilient homes from the ground up.

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I can help you from site selection through final inspection, making sure your home is designed and built with the four control layers (water, air, thermal, and vapor) handled correctly, and with Building Biology principles applied throughout.

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My sweet spot is light-frame construction — applying the principles of Joe Lstiburek's "Perfect Wall" and making it even healthier with Building Biology.

Modern Home Facade

How I Can Help

Envelope & Assembly

  • Reviewing architectural plans for moisture vulnerabilities, thermal bridging, and air sealing 

  • Helping you specify a wall, roof, and foundation assembly that performs well, is resilient to mold, and is built with low-VOC components

  • Materials & Products
    Identifying specific products appropriate for your assembly and your family's sensitivities

  • Balancing EMR, VOC, biological, and moisture concerns with your budget

 

Biological, EMR & Chemical Mitigation

  • Helping you reduce exposure to mold, VOCs, and electromagnetic radiation during the design and construction phases, before problems are built in

 

Budget Decisions

  • Helping you make smart trade-offs with your construction budget and prioritize the things that matter most for long-term health and resilience.

 

Construction Support

  • Being available for questions as your build progresses

  • Providing a customized inspection checklist you can include in your contractor agreement

  • Helping you catch problems before they're covered up

 

Land & Site Stewardship

  • Helping you find a healthy build site

  • Helping you manage fire, water, and soil on your land in a healthy, sustainable way using permaculture principles

Are We Right for Each Other?

I work with people building a new home from the ground up — specifically light-frame/stick-built construction. If you're remediating, remodeling, or adding onto an existing home, I'm probably not the right fit.

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Your project will go best if you:​

  • Have taken my Building a Healthy and Resilient Home class (you'll save money on consulting time, and we'll be speaking the same language)

  • Are willing to show up at the build site regularly and stay engaged

  • Can maintain a respectful working relationship with your contractor

  • Are prepared to prioritize your wall assembly and mechanical systems over high-end finishes and appliances

  • Have tools for managing the stress of a major build​

 

This is a process-based partnership. I do not guarantee outcomes — ultimately, this is your home and your responsibility. I'm here to help you make the best decisions you can with the information available.

What I Don't Do

Remediations and Rebuilds

Building correctly from the ground up is almost always easier and less expensive than fixing an existing problem. If your project is a remodel, remediation, or addition, I'm not the right consultant.

 

Home Design

I'm not an architect. I recommend working with one who is well-versed in building science — ideally Passive House certified.

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HVAC Design

Very few companies design HVAC appropriately for high-performance homes. I can refer you to ones who do.

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Mold Testing and Remediation

I'm not an Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP).

 

On-site Visits

All of my consulting is remote.

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Construction

I can collaborate with your contractor, but I'm not one.

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Vetted Referrals

I can suggest professionals for you to consider, but vetting them is your responsibility. I don't receive referral fees from anyone I recommend.

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