New build advise - GreenBuildingTalk - GreenBuildingTalk - Green Building Forums on Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF), Structural Insulated Panels (SIP), Radiant Heating, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Solar Power, Green Construction Projects - Green Building Technologies

Forums

Unanswered Active Topics

Forums Search Members

Forums > Green Building Technologies > Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs)

New build advise

Last Post 31 Jan 2009 12:06 PM by Paul Stevens. 7 Replies.

Sort:

	Prev Next
You are not authorized to post a reply.

Author

Messages

ragweed

New Member

Posts:3

29 Jan 2009 10:35 AM
Hi Guys : First of all I have read and found alot of info on this forum and would like to thank all posters . I have a question regarding a new home construction that i am planning to start this spring that I am planning on being my own general contractor. Location ---Saskatchewan Canada 1630 sqft bungalow in Gravel base, I am planning on ICF basement with stick upper. contracting out the wood framing. My background is farming (growing up) so I do have mechanical experience but little construction experience.I would like to use ICF for my foundation but am leary of taking on this project, partly because of the unfamiliarity. contracting it out is not an option due to the extra 20k that charged by contractors. I would use Nudura forms (seem to have better support for my area, and quality product), but as I really like to have my t's crossed and I's dotted, this unfamiliarity is pushing me to going the old concrete way with spray insulation. This home foundation will have 6 90's and 1 < 90 angle I am comfortable with construction of the forms thems self , and will get some support from Nudura supplier but I am questioning getting all my lines and measurements correct, is there a basic guide some where that helps with establishing a starting point and making sure that a foundation is square and steps in taking it from the start (after excavation) ? weeping tile etc. Also let me know what your honest opinion is of a newbee taking on a project like this ? ( I guess everyone starts somewhere !!)

icf4life

New Member

Posts:20

29 Jan 2009 12:27 PM
Our common rule of thumb is if you would be comfortable framing your house you should be able to do it with ICF but keep in mind if you dont have the carpentry skills necessary to build it out of wood, you dont have the skills to do it out of concrete either. Also instead of a cats paw to pull a few nails you get out the concrete saw and diamond blades ain't cheap. Take it for what its worth. Good luck.

ragweed

New Member

Posts:3

29 Jan 2009 12:41 PM
thanks, for the reply

Paul Stevens User is Offline

Basic Member

Posts:200

29 Jan 2009 06:54 PM
ragweed, contact your Nudura rep and ask for names and numbers of some of his most experienced ICF contractors. Give these people a call and ask if they would be interested in 1: Helping you get started with the layout and first few rows, 2: Coming back part way through the build to check and make sure things are going good and give you a few pointers, 3: Show up a day or two before the pour and let you know if you are ready or not to pour, and 4: Being there for the day of the pour, don't try to pour an ICF pour on you own without experienced help, being a rookie, things can go wrong and not knowing what to do can cause you big problems! These steps may cost the contractor maybe 2 full days of his time. For this quality time with him maybe $1000 cash would be well worth you while. (Its a lot less than $20,000) Now some may think that $1000 for two days worth of work is a lot of money but just think of how much you are going to spend on all of the materials required in the ICF foundation, $1000 is not much for a problem free pour. Being a contractor myself I would always prefer the entire job but sometimes it just isn't possible, so I am always available to make some quick cash, and maybe the home owner I helped out has a friend who wants to build as well!!! Good Luck Paul Stevens

Chris Johnson User is Offline

Advanced Member

Posts:878

29 Jan 2009 09:48 PM
Looking at Paul's response the writing is there as to why a contractor wants $ 20k to do your job. With no construction background you should not jump in and do one of the most important jobs on the new house...a foundation...it all starts here. By the way, 20k isn't all labor and profit...you will find this out as well.

Chris Johnson - Pro ICF<br>North of 49

ICFconstruction User is Offline

Veteran Member

Posts:1324
Avatar

30 Jan 2009 09:47 PM
Go all the way to the roof with your ICFs, you will not be disappointed. NUDURA is a great form.

Brad Kvanbek - ICFconstruction.net

ragweed

New Member

Posts:3

31 Jan 2009 09:52 AM
Posted By Paul Stevens on 01/29/2009 6:54 PM ragweed, contact your Nudura rep and ask for names and numbers of some of his most experienced ICF contractors. Give these people a call and ask if they would be interested in 1: Helping you get started with the layout and first few rows, 2: Coming back part way through the build to check and make sure things are going good and give you a few pointers, 3: Show up a day or two before the pour and let you know if you are ready or not to pour, and 4: Being there for the day of the pour, don't try to pour an ICF pour on you own without experienced help, being a rookie, things can go wrong and not knowing what to do can cause you big problems! These steps may cost the contractor maybe 2 full days of his time. For this quality time with him maybe $1000 cash would be well worth you while. (Its a lot less than $20,000) Now some may think that $1000 for two days worth of work is a lot of money but just think of how much you are going to spend on all of the materials required in the ICF foundation, $1000 is not much for a problem free pour. Being a contractor myself I would always prefer the entire job but sometimes it just isn't possible, so I am always available to make some quick cash, and maybe the home owner I helped out has a friend who wants to build as well!!! Good Luck Paul Stevens Paul, this is exactly what i did, (requested and got a Nudura certified Nudura contractor and planed on using him as a consultant) Had home engineered for Nudura. Then I was not getting reponse from contractor and this caused uneasyness (did not want to tackle project without experienced help). Posted on this forum for advice. you guys confirmed my thoughts and decided that I did not want to tackle job without experienced help, decided to leave one more message with contractor. Convinced that he was not interested in the project I submitted plans to engineer to be changed to standard foundation, ( I have a contractor that is well respected and i feel comfortable with). Low and behold within hours I now got a response from contractor and am to meet with him Monday morning. (placed hold on plan change with engineer) My Question to you guys are what are your thoughts or comparison of adding spray foam insulation to a standard foundation in comparison to ICF foundation ?

Paul Stevens User is Offline

Basic Member

Posts:200

31 Jan 2009 12:06 PM
Ragweed, nothing can compare to an ICF, if you add spray foam to a standard foundation you will still only have a standard foundation, what was that comment about putting 'lipstick on a pig'!! Have you priced ICF to the roof, you won't be disappointed if you do. Ask the contractor for his thoughts. Keep us informed on your progress. Paul Stevens