Phius Certification Cost in Massachusetts
Phius lists 2026 certification fees of $2,500 for a single-family home and from $3,800 for multifamily buildings under 4,500 sq ft, scaling with size, and $1,500 for the prescriptive path. These fees do not include the Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC), the Phius Rater or the Verifier. In Massachusetts Specialized Code towns, residential buildings over 12,000 sq ft must be Passive House; in Stretch towns it is one of the options.
Budget lines
Phius fee + CPHC modeling + Phius Rater/Verifier testing and inspections. Mass Save incentives for multifamily Passive House offset much of the cost.
Phius Fees (2026)
| Project | Certification fee |
|---|---|
| Single-family | $2,500 |
| Multifamily under 4,500 sq ft | $3,800 (scales up to about $83,200 at 500,000 sq ft) |
| Prescriptive path | $1,500 |
| Expedited review | +50% |
| Phius Alliance member | 15% off (up to $600) |
| Nonprofit | 25% off (up to $1,000) |
Fees as posted by Phius; check phius.org for the current schedule.
What Else to Budget
- CPHC energy modeling and design support.
- Phius Rater or Verifier: pre-drywall inspection, ventilation commissioning and the final blower door test.
- Design review: about 6-8 weeks per round, often 3 rounds, so start early.
- Massachusetts R405.2: Passive House documents go in at permit and again before the certificate of occupancy.
When Massachusetts Requires Passive House
| Building | Stretch Code | Specialized Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 family, townhouse | Optional path | Optional path |
| Multifamily up to 12,000 sq ft | HERS or Passive House | HERS or Passive House |
| Multifamily over 12,000 sq ft | Passive House, HERS or TEDI | Passive House required |
Mass Save Incentives
- Multifamily (5+ units): feasibility study up to $5,000; energy modeling 75% (up to $500 per unit, $20,000 max); pre-certification $750 per unit; final certification $3,000 per unit.
- 1-4 unit homes have a Passive House incentive tier; check the current Mass Save new construction page for amounts.
We provide blower door testing and HERS ratings for Passive House projects. See also the stretch code report.
FAQ
How much does Phius certification cost?
Phius lists $2,500 for single-family and from $3,800 for small multifamily buildings, scaling with floor area, plus consultant and rater costs.
Does the Phius fee include the consultant and rater?
No. CPHC, Phius Rater and Verifier services are separate.
When is Passive House required in Massachusetts?
In Specialized Code towns, residential buildings over 12,000 sq ft must meet Passive House. In Stretch towns Passive House is one of the compliance paths.
How long does Phius certification take?
Design review typically takes 6-8 weeks per round with about three rounds, plus construction-phase verification.
Are there incentives?
Yes. Mass Save offers Passive House incentives for multifamily buildings and a tier for 1-4 unit homes.
Town-by-Town Permit Checklists
Local building department details, checked on each town's own website:
Sources: Phius certification fees · 225 CMR 22 (residential) · Mass Save multifamily new construction. Code text current as of October 2026; DOER has proposed updates to the Stretch and Specialized codes, so confirm before you file.
Related: Stretch code report for permitting · What triggers a HERS rating · REScheck and COMcheck · Phius verification
Planning a Passive House Project?
Send your plans today. Most projected HERS reports are ready in about one business day after the quote is accepted.
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