A view of the Chicago waterfront with the greenway in the foreground and skyscrapers in back

Illinois is one of the most ethnically diverse states in the U.S. The result is an exciting and vibrant culture with some of the best food you can find anywhere in the country.

Because of its diversity, the various needs of homeowners are diverse as well. For example, some focus solely on price, while others care more about environmental impact and sustainability, which can also impact your expenditures in the long run.

If you plan to move to Illinois or build a house in a city there and sustainability is your goal, your search for eco-friendly home builders in the state ends here.

Best Sustainable and Green Homebuilders in Illinois 

We’ve compiled a list of the best sustainable green builders in Illinois you should look into, including:

  • Green Construction Home Builders
  • Evolutionary Home Builders
  • Greenline Homes
  • EcoBuild+
  • BrightLeaf
  • Homeaway Homes
  • DJK Custom Homes

So, without further ado, let’s look at the details of each of these builders.

Green Construction Holmes Builders

The professional builders at Green Construction Holmes Builders have one motto: ‘If a house isn’t healthy, it’s not a smart home.’ 

Interior view of a green home by Green Construction Holmes Builders
Courtesy of Green Construction Holmes Builders

The aim of its Wellness Green Team is to build sustainable homes and train the next generation of green builders.

All materials used are ‘Lo-Fab’ (locally fabricated), and it also works with local businesses to strengthen their community.

Before a renovation, the team conducts a thorough health and safety overview of the indoor air quality of the entire property.

The inspection includes an evaluation of the whole house’s plumbing, electrical work, and energy efficiency.

The company works with its clients to protect their interests, reduce risks and maximize their ROI, along with helping them reduce their costs and carbon footprint at the same time.

For example, building issues are corrected after a trained forensics team analyzes the whole structure. 

Evolutionary Home Builders

Exterior front view of a Evolutionary Home Builders house
Courtesy of Evolutionary Home Builders

Brandon Weiss, the owner and creative genius behind Evolutionary Home Builders, is considered a professional in environmental design.

He sees himself not only as an eco-friendly builder but a scientist dedicated to energy efficiency and ethical business practices.

His company’s passion and commitment to sustainable practices are apparent.

Using state-of-the-art green building practices like flashing techniques, durability, overhand depth, and life cycle analysis of products, his customers get homes that last for years without constant maintenance. 

Interior kitchen view of a green home by Evolutionary Home Builders
Courtesy of Evolutionary Home Builders

What’s great about the company is that all of its homes come with a third-party certification of quality and green building.

Evolutionary Home Builders also offers a decade-long warranty for window flashings and a 15-year structural warranty. 

Greenline Homes 

Greenline Homes has its pulse on the sustainable construction movement, evident in its practices.

The company works to strengthen redlined communities with some of the most affordable, beautiful, and environmentally friendly houses their clients can get.

Exterior view of a Greenline Homes house
Courtesy of Greenline Homes

For more than 20 years, the firm has played an essential role in making Chicago communities some of the best places to build homes for families.

The team at Greenline Homes use natural resources and methods to build its homes. These specs include FSC-certified wood sourced from North America, low emission materials that don’t give off toxic fumes, and soil gas prevention methods that protect indoor air quality.

Interior kitchen view of a Greenline Homes house
Courtesy of Greenline Homes

Its houses are also outfitted with highly efficient R-5 windows that diminish average heat loss by more than 40%, reducing energy bills. 

EcoBuild+

EcoBuild+ is dedicated to building high-quality and sustainable homes using state-of-the-art eco-friendly technologies and innovative bespoke processes.

This fabrication includes a robust engineered construction process and architectural designs to reduce their clients’ carbon footprint.

The company’s efforts have made it a leading LEED Design builder and reduced the environmental impact of the communities they have served. 

Exterior view of an EcoBuild+ home
Courtesy of EcoBuild+

EcoBuild+ has been going strong for more than two decades, and it shows in its sustainable building practices.

It exclusively uses eco-friendly electrical, mechanical, and plumbing services to ensure each house runs efficiently on different budgets.

Construction consultants manage projects sustainably by maintaining crew schedules, watching costs, and providing strict attention to detail. 

EcoBuild+ takes each client through the whole building plan before development starts.

The overview includes step-by-step execution, budgeting, estimations, bid packaging, permit processing, and material selection. 

BrightLeaf

Founded back in 2008, BrightLeaf was the brainchild of Scott Sanders, who wanted to be a home builder since he was a child.

After graduating with a degree in construction management, he worked his way up in the industry.

As an enthusiast of sustainable construction practices, Scott’s dream was to build a company that could be the go-to eco-friendly home builder for communities.

He has achieved that dream and much more. 

Exterior view of a BrightLeaf green home
Courtesy of BrightLeaf

Today the company is a leader in building homes that last for decades, consume less energy, and offer a lovely abode to the families within.

Scott goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure his clients have a memorable experience while getting their dream green home.

He does this by providing them with a strong working relationship with their home builder, who they can trust well after the handoff. 

Homeway Homes

For more than 50 years, Homeway Homes has been working to give clients energy-efficient homes that can last their lifetime and beyond.

Besides using sustainable construction materials, the company uses its own Energy Strength Spray Foam insulation for each structure.

The insulation mitigates elemental effects and secures indoor air to keep it fresh and breathable for the residents within.

The company also uses the best energy-efficient windows, plumbing, water heaters, heating, AC equipment, and ducts to seal its homes. These factors reduce energy costs by up to 30% without compromising the house’s structural integrity or energy efficiency. 

Interior view of a kitchen by Homeaway Homes
Courtesy of Homeway Homes

Homeway Homes has a simple motto for each project: ‘Insulate Right. Ventilate Tight.’  This is where energy recovery ventilators come in.

The company installs ERVs to flush impurities from indoor air to mitigate the excellent sealing properties of its insulating spray. Therefore, each home’s exhaust air is recycled for better air quality indoors. 

Homeway’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. The company received special recognition from Ameren Illinois Utility Co. for its energy-efficient homes. 

DJK Custom Homes

When it comes to building custom and eco-friendly homes, DJK Custom Homes lives up to the hype.

The company uses state-of-the-art building methods, resulting in more significant savings, a healthier living environment, and a smaller carbon footprint. 

Interior view of a DJK Custom Homes modular green home
Courtesy of DJK Custom Homes

DJK Custom Homes builds houses that meet Energy Star standards.

Besides being environmentally friendly, these homes are built to higher standards than traditional homes, which increases their market value.

The label gives buyers peace of mind knowing that their house has met and exceeded the EPA’s testing, verification, and inspection standards. 

Exterior view of a DJK Custom Homes modular green home complete with solar panels on the roof
Courtesy of DJK Custom Homes

The company has been building custom homes since 1988 and has earned a solid reputation because of its quality.

The team comprises professionals who have decades of combined experience in green construction practices.

With an average HERS index rating of 49, a new DJK home is not only more energy-efficient than standard ones, but it also ends up paying for itself in the long run.

Barriere Construction

Located in Downers Grove, Barriere Construction is among the companies you can trust with your green construction needs in Illinois. 

The company has made it its mission to be the leading authority in high-performance green custom home construction.

According to Barriere Construction, green building entails designing and constructing homes that will hold greater value and require less maintenance. Consequently, these homes guarantee lower utility bills and costs less to own.

We like this company because all its homes are third-party tested and verified to be ENERGY STAR certified.

Since their homes have a HERS score below 60, they are over 40% more energy-efficient than standard-built homes.

Barriere Construction incorporates the following in its green construction initiatives:

  • Indoor temperature regulation through the use of DOW Styrofoam insulation boards
  • Elastomeric sealant on exterior stud walls to conserve indoor energy
  • DOW Styrofoam insulation boards in the basement to reduce energy loss
  • Incorporation of ENERGY STAR appliances to save energy
  • Roof-mounted ventilation systems to regulate attic temperatures

Besides energy conservation, the company also encompasses water saving technologies to make their homes more eco-friendly. Some of its water conservation initiatives include:

  • Native trees for landscaping
  • ENERGY STAR washing machines
  • Low flow faucets, shower heads and toilets

Scholl Construction Company

Located in Crystal Lake, Scholl Construction Company focuses on green building to limit carbon footprints.

The company prides itself in incorporating state-of-the-art green building technologies in its projects without sacrificing efficiency or quality.

This company incorporates the following throughout its construction projects:

  • Conservation of building materials
  • Using sustainable construction materials
  • Design factors that take advantage of natural resources such as southern exposures
  • Plumbing fixtures that conserve water
  • Waste material recycling whenever possible
  • Airtight home and commercial buildings

Bottom Line

Whether you are moving to Illinois, remodeling an existing property there, or need a new home built in another city in the state, choose a green home builder.

Besides reducing energy bills, you can do your part for the environment and ensure your family remains healthy and happy for years. 

While the aforementioned green home builders in Illinois are some of the best in the business, they aren’t the only ones.

Research more online to make an informed decision after going through customer testimonials and meetings with the owners.

Once construction starts, there is no going back. Choose wisely so you can live well.

Also, check out our list of modular home builders in Illinois, as several of the companies featured construct modular houses that can be considered green homes as well.

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