avoid this company at all costs.  I'd hate to see somone else make the same mistake I did.  This company's mistakes and subsequent dishonesty cost me alot of money!

Oh what happened?

This is turn of events about SIPs being highly favoured and pro building alternative on this SIP forum. It would be interesting to hear what your take on the matter is.

as you can imagine, there is a long, complicated story that would fall under the category of a contract dispute.  I still believe in this product when used in situations that are condusive to SIPS.  I have found out first hand that in complicated designs, SIPS probaly isn't the best product (as has been stated several times in this forum). 

my recomendation to anyone seriously considering SIPS would be to only pay for the engineering drawings before making your final decision.  You have no idea what you are paying for before you see those drawings. 

My simplified problem was that the proposed SIPS design was ridiculous, Energy Wise wouldn't/couldnt address my concerns, so i decided to back out.  After demanding my money back, they told me that they had authorized the factory to begin work (before I had even seen the proposed design much less approved it!).  They eventually returned some of my money.  Energy Wise kept $12,000.  I never recieved a single panel.

Well if you sent them a cheque (and deposit i'm assuming is refundable) and no work was done, I suggest going to court. (cheque being documentary evidence). In the States unfortunately laws, testing, inspections, etc. are different from state to state..$12k in that amount automatically goes to federal court here..It doesn't matter if they authorized the factory to do the work, if their obligation to the contract is not fulfilled, then you are in the right. Heck don't forget interest on kept monies as they are making that just by sitting on it. But what was your design concerns since this is a good topic to expand upon..

design issues are the same as many of the pros here have commented on.  numerous large openings, canteleved elements, any shape other than a box...these issues will make other options much more cost effective.

Have you ever thought of hybrid designs? Like EIFS or DAFS? (in combination with a removable SIP for example) For me a box shape is ok since I need the space advantage of the design. My biggest complaint is the cost of repair to damaged systems. A single piece solution is a headache when pipe explodes in foam (or even worse precast concrete) for example. I can't just go down to the local H*me Dep*t and pick up a SIP. In your case as a custom home buyer/builder heavy research has to be done before hand in order for you and the SIP company to make everything work. I hope things will resolve for you non-dramatically :)