Hi, I started looking to build in Delaware, but at every step of the way I was offered only stick build, which does not fit my needs, or maybe better said, the so called custom homes offered, do not fit my needs. It proved to be very hard to find an ICF builder that would work with me to build a 3000 sq ft ICF house, to at least provide me a quote as accurate as possible so that I can calculate how much home I can afford if I build ICF. I wonder what do I do wrong, is it better to approach builders directly. or maybe would be better to go through a real estate agent? All advice will be welcome, since using my common sense did not bring me a quote for the plans I provided to quite a few builders in Delaware. At some point I used a service that I paid for about $20, that calculated the cost of the building materials plus the the labor for the state of Delaware. By far, the quote was too general, not customized. Regarding ICF home plans, I started with ICF home plans that were a little complicated for the first builders that responded (U shape - Mediterranean style) and had to tone it down when some builder "shared" their opinion that the more corners the house has, the more expensive it will be. As far as I know, this rule applies mostly to stick built, not so much to ICF. So after receiving this advice, I dumped the beautiful U shape Mediterranean style, in favor of a squared Tuscany style home plan from monsterhouseplans.com below - http://www.monsterhouseplans.com/italian-style-house-plans-3073-square-foot-home-2-story-4-bedroom-and-4-bath-3-garage-stalls-by-monster-house-plans-plan24-203.html My budget for the house is about 300k (excluding the lot) and if needed, I am more than happy to work with the builder on adjusting size, features and finishes to fit the budget. Thank you in advance for your advice. Dan

Hi Dan, So let me try to understand. You are trying to build a custom ICF home approximately 3100 sq ft for $300,000 and a 3 car garage?Is there a basement? are there any porches? Decks? Granite countertops?Hardwood floors? two story ceilings? Stone? Brick? Radiant floor heat? Geothermal heating? Quality cabinets? High Efficiency windows? Screened rooms? Unfortunately some people do not have a realistic idea of what thinks cost? If you do find someone or company that will build this for you remember "You get what you pay for" You might want to consider a modular or mobile home.

Dan,

Lets take a quick crack at this. I like the home plan but it includes many challenges to the contractor.

Actual numbers based off the plan chosen.
4272 sf potential enclosed footage based on appraiser type external assessment which determines structural costs.
2800 sf of roof.
192 feet of perimeter wall length 20 ft high.
2136 slab on grade.
2000 upper floor.

$136,750 basic super insulated R-80, R-50, R-25 shell
$8544 slab on grade
$8000 second story floor deck
$5000 support walls
All other items are highly dependent on choices made.
$40,000 tile roof upgrade.
$5,000 for Cantilevered master area.
$15,000 to $50,000 Electrical
$15,000 to $50,000 Plumbing
$8,000 to $50,000 Siding
$12,000 to $100,000 Windows
$12,000 to $120,000 doors
$12,000 to $100,000 porches
$20,000 to $200,000 Fenestration
$40,000 to $200,000 internal finish
$50,000 to $500,000 other
That is $342,294 in the nice but all budget minded decisions or $1,623,294 if deluxe everything.

Note that the structural costs of the basic home is the same either way. My quick take would be that it would require extreme consciousness of alternative sourcing and attention to excellent cost detailing to stay within your budget. Most contractors are not interested in such an undertaking. The Model you pointed out has a lot of expensive things in the image. Window walls, curved walls, Doors, Windows, dental molding, tile roof, other fenestration, extensive porches, cantilevered areas, etc. I would guess that most contractors assessing your desires for the home pictured would assume it is not a realistic budget for what you have decided you want.

We specialize in providing the structural insulated shell for passive net zero projects. This is a part of the home that is the most important part of the home and is the part that can be best controlled. It is also the best place to invest in for the performance, comfort, health and long term cost of the home and its occupants.

It is possible to reduce the cost of all of the factors past the basic structure. Craigslist, ebay, local discounts, going out of business sales, canceled projects, recycling, repurposing, reusing, etc. This is not meant to be a quote but just an analysis of what you are asking of your bidders with the numbers of the top of my head and not based of local bids which would very. It did not include local charges, taxes, lot, excavation, radon system, radiant floors, alternate HVAC, other potential options, development, permits, approvals, landscaping, paving, local engineering or architectural fees, etc.

Brian

Hi Brian, Thank youbfor your reply, Great post, I could not have asked for more. Can we talk and see if I can make you an interesting offer for the part that you may be willing to do? Thank you, Dan

we have built several ICF homes in Delaware, we actually specialize in ICF construction and particularly shell packages, there are several builders in the are that will be willing to turn key, but realistically you should be around 135-150 baseline p/sqft include any floor space that is ICF, so if you have a basement that is ICF it would be included. Don't dump your plans because you cant find a builder, we are available and have 15 years experience in ICF Construction and high performance and high design technologies billATgnpbuildDOTcom. we have a long list of satisfied clients and can forward those client to you so you can talk to people who actually live in them.

Posted By tech642 on 27 Aug 2015 08:02 PM
Hi Brian, Thank youbfor your reply, Great post, I could not have asked for more. Can we talk and see if I can make you an interesting offer for the part that you may be willing to do? Thank you, Dan

Happy to chat if you want to give me a call. Tried to return call, got funny busy signal. Brian

zehboss- that $30.00 p/sqft sounds too good to be true, can you elaborate on what that includes, you are in Washington state? not sure how your pricing model works there but this is the East Coast, i honestly can't do a wood shell package for that number. i guess i need to know what you mean by Shell Package? if you could give me a little more info it would be helpful, thanks again on another note you might want to check out icfbuildergroupDOTcom if you get a chance. billATgnpbuildDOTcom if you want to chat directly 800-713-7663
talk soon

Bill,

We include an integral shallow R-25 insulated footing, two story of nine foot walls per floor ICF R-50 walls that are 12 inches of foam 1/2 inside and 1/2 outside and an 8 inch concrete wall, with a trussed roof that has a 30 inch deep cavity for insulation fill. We build with an R-25 continuous thermal break. All surfaces have attachment surfaces on 12" or 16" centers. Type of attachment surfaces depends on the surfacing choices planned for the build. That price also includes window and door cut outs and bucks and a metal roof.

The price does not include excavation, taxes, shipping, HVAC, floors, windows, doors, siding, fascia, finishes, internal walls, plumbing, electrical, plans, Slab, local fees (taxes, approvals, engineering stamp), etc. electrical, plumbing, floors, windows, doors etc.

All of the above have to be specified and can vary wildly based on client choices and location. Windows, surfacing, floors, can easily vary in cost for the materials by an order of magnitude due product choices.For example in a large home the windows varied from $10,000 too $120,000 depending on home owner choice. Another example are surface finishes which can very from $1 to $20 per surface foot again customer choice.

It assumes 9 inches of gravel leveled on hard pan where footings will be and easy access to all sides of the building when we arrive.

Our mission is to provide the most economical shell capable of a passive net zero rating. Making passive net zero buildings economically viable in all life cycle costs situations, improving the wealth, health and quality of life of the occupants all sustainably.

Hope that answered your questions.

Brian