Hi, I have posted here before.  We live in Salem OR and are looking at ICFs.  I am running into an issue of not having many contractors to chose from w/ ICF experience and the lack of competition appears to increase the cost of building beyond what is fair and reasonable.  I got a quote from someone after he saw ePlans description (not official plans) of the house we want to build and he told me $380,000 (guess).  That is so far out of our budget I was really disappointed and totally question our ability to build an ICF home.  I know that people need specific numbers and actual plans to begin to estimate the cost but I can tell you it is a two story house and is 2700 square foot.  I have a contractor who will build it for $95 per square foot, stick built.  Comparing the two it is looking like I am leaning towards stick built.
My question is...how crazy is it to use a contractor that you trust who has never built w/ ICF to build an ICF  house?  I am sure I can get a better rate w/ the person that I am considering building a stick built home w/ and he likes projects that require him to learn new techniques, etc.  From the examples of the homes that I have seen he does great work and is very consciensious.  He does not take on more than one project at a time, etc.

Any input?      

It's not crazy, but make sure he does his homework well:

http://www.greenbuildingtalk.com/Forums/tabid/53/forumid/4/postid/48569/view/topic/Default.aspx

My experience with ICFs is minimal, but I did experience a vibrator-induced blowout from insufficient bracing (foundation wall on an addition to my home, done by an ICF experienced contractor). A single story structure is probably not too big a big project, but it gets more "interesting" when you go higher. Discuss apriori how blowouts & bowouts would be addressed, etc. Odds are that a forewarned newbie might go over-kill on stuff to avoid problems, but that shouldn't add too much to the expense. (Licenced & bonded is good, eh?)

If you decide to opt out of ICFs due to the potential risks, you might try getting it quoted build with structural insulated panels (SIPs). In my part of the US (New England) SIPs are often cost-competitive with stick-built, but with a significant energy-efficiency dividend.

ICF"s are just a method of concrete forming.  If your builder is a competent carpenter with concrete skills he should be able to build you an excellent house.

Yes there is a learning curve, as there is with all new products, but it is not difficult.  He can learn a lot by searching this site. I did.  He should be grateful to learn a new skill and make money at the same time.  But not charge you some ridiculous rate because he is afraid.

John

If you want; I would ask the board. There are a lot of qualified contractors on this board willing to travel. This would get you a solid bid for the ICF from them and let your contractor sub them out. With this way you will get an ICF home and your contractor doesn't have to mess with the ICF and he can learn a few tricks to help him bid more aggressively in the future. By get a ICf subcontractor he can also meet with the other subs and go over different tricks to help them out too. Every out of state job I go to I have a meeting with all the subs when we are in the middle of building the walls and that seems to help them and put them at ease.

Hi there -

I tried privately messaging you earlier. My name is Peter Coughlin Jr and I am located in Central Oregon (Redmond). We distribute and Install Logix ICF. I would be more then willing to give you an competitive estimate on your project. We have done numerous projects of all shapes and sizes (one which won two national ICFA awards).  Feel free to visit our website to see our work: www.greenbuilderswholesale.com

Feel free to call us toll free at 1-866-548-1116, or call me direct at 541-295-0410. Thanks, Peter

Peter, I'd like say the ICFA award winner is quite interesting. Looks like good attention to detail. Congrats! Dave

CJ, recommend you take a look at Pete's website.

Thanks Dave!

Hire the GC you trust and an ICF sub-contractor with experience.