I need to give Habitat for Humanity a quote on 2 houses done in ICFs and I am an ICF virgin.
How much should I charge per sq. ft?
How much will it cost me to install?
How much to charge per sq.ft. for Labor?
How much are laborers geting per hour?
I need this job to survive and I am asking for help. My main concern is GETTING the job.
How low can I go and still make a little profit?
Has anyone used Helix?
what is the cost savings vs rebar per sq ft? What is rebar per sq.ft.?
What company is the best?

Thank You,
Brent Magee
Mandala Concrete, LLC
Mandeville, LA
www.mandalaconcrete.com

Brent
I have to admit, you do admit to being green, and your questions show that so far you have not done your homework.

There is an incredible amount of information on this site regarding ICFs, you need to spend some time going thru as many topics as you can, to glean as many facts as you can.

For instance, why would you think you can jump into using fibers versus rebar, if you haven't done reinforced concrete before? OK, maybe you have done some walls with rebar, then you need to investigate fibers. Short answer, fibers do not and cannot replace all the required reinforcing in ANY concrete wall!

So you need to jump in with both feet and learn more background. That said, if...IF....you can get onsite tech help for you and your crew, a H4H project would be a very low stress project to learn on....as long as you have someone teaching you. This is not just stack and pour and H uses a lot of ICFs around the country.

Discuss pricing with your supplier/trainer. Even H4H has limits on pricing in order to bring their homes in under a price they have in mind. Remember, you need foam adhesives(usually), bracing, pouring equipment, mix designs, help on pour day(who know that concrete goes in the wall, and can come out even faster), limited leveling equipment, design parameters(check your local Code book), etc.

"How low can I go and still make a little profit? " I don't think anyone can answer this with ANY accuracy at all, considering even that you have not even chosen an ICF brand to learn.

I suggest you proceed cautiously, and once the details are in place, H4H houses are usually simple rectangular structures so with proper planning, I think you could pull this off!

Brent,

I'm going to have agree with Jim on this. Trying to price an ICF job having never done one and doing one for H4H is going to be a challenge. We've done one for H4H and didnt' make much if any on the job, though the owners seem to really like the house.

Jim is right that you should discuss pricing with your supplier/trainer and/or select a ICF block manufacture that can provide you with that assistance. The supplier/manufacture in your area that you choose, if experienced, would be your best bet in trying to determine costs. Also, when talking with Manufactures, tell them you are doing the project for Habitat they will often provide a discount.

You may also need an Engineer to stamp the wall sections so you may be able to get the information you need about Helix there. I know ICF professionals that are looking at Helix, but there is no way I could advise that you use it in your first job.

My installers have a very good idea of how low they can go and still make a profit/break even, but that is after having a tremendous amount of historical knowledge. For someone doing their first one its really hard to say. Let's say for example you have a blowout, all profit could be lost in a very short period of time. Pouring an ICF walls is not normally done in the same manner as a traditional poured wall.

Best of luck to you and try to find an experience local supplier or an ICF manufacture that is willing to walk you through the job.