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PEI green
Registered Users
Posts:4
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| 07/27/2008 9:36 AM |
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Hello;
We are building a house next year and want to construct using SIPs. We've contacted a few SIPs companies for quotes but they are all a long distance away so can't provide on site help. (We're building in Canada)
We are also in talks with two different contractor/builders. One builder comes with almost 30 years of experience and is highly recomended by someone we trust. This builder has a reputation for high quality work (wins a lot of comercial and government building bids) and coming in basically on budget (within 3% for the custom home build for the person we got the recomendation from). However; he has never even heard of SIPs before.
The other builder has not worked with SIPs but wants to start doing so. He therefore has done some research into it and is trying to find contacts with distrubters. He also has some experience with ICF building (we want an ICF basement foundation). However; he has less years over all building experience and we have no personal recomendations for him. So, how much weight should we give to the fact that buider #2 has ICF experience and the desire to work with SIPs? Are there any additional considerations to think about as we make this decision? Questions we should ask? What would those with more experience in SIPs building look for in a builder?
Thanks |
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Donaldson
Registered Users
Posts:90
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| 07/28/2008 3:09 PM |
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| Where are you located. Does PEI stand for Prince Edward Island? |
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PEI green
Registered Users
Posts:4
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| 07/28/2008 5:22 PM |
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It does indeed stand for Prince Edward Island. We will be trend setters with this.
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PEI green
Registered Users
Posts:4
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| 07/29/2008 9:48 AM |
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Just to further clarify, we did see a home (traditional) the second builder was working on and it looks great. He also seemed knowledgeable about building and a "good guy"...it's just I've heard that personal recommendations from those you trust are the "gold star" of contractor references and your personal impressions aren't necessarily to carry as much weight.
One SIPs company has said they do over the phone training for those who aren't in the area to do on site... is this a feasible way to learn the specific "tricks" needed to have a good SIPs building experience?
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rnortman
Registered Users
Posts:94
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| 07/29/2008 10:33 AM |
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It seems to me that the builder's attitude toward SIPs matters a lot. The fact that he's never heard of them means he's not really the curious sort. But if after you talk to him about them he seems genuinely interested in learning more, then he might be the right guy. If he only grudgingly agrees to use them because you insist on it, go find another builder who's interested in learning a new technology. It's bad enough to be paying for somebody else's education, and worse to be letting them practice on you. If on top of that they don't really want to learn in the first place, I think you will not get good results.
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Donaldson
Registered Users
Posts:90
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| 07/29/2008 11:20 AM |
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| If you are going to be on PEI then your best weather option would be to use steel galvalum sips. It creates the tightest and strongest envelope with its closed or non conventional roof system that is the best I have seen here in Florida. I would use 6" walls and 8" roof. Chris Kavala just posted pic's of an owner/builder doing a two story in SC. So if an owner/builder can do it I am sure that any contractor worth anything can as well. When the shell is up then it is the same as any other construction. |
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PEI green
Registered Users
Posts:4
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| 07/31/2008 12:01 PM |
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Thank you for the responses. I want to be fair the the contractors we are contacting as well as fair to ourselves.
I contacted the person I thought had built a SIPS house, but it turned out it wasn't SIPS at all, but rather "an ICF foundation and the main floor is stick frame construction with a continuous 1.5" styrofoam over
the exterior. The exterior stud wall is also insulated with R20 fiberglass batt
insulation." This builder expressed an interest in working with SIPS and talking to us about our plans, but I don't know if that's appropriate when we are in the middle of getting two other quotes (we did tell both those builders that we are in the process of getting quotes). I don't want to miss the opportunity to hear from another source that could potentially be a good choice.
I also don't want to lead anyone on by making them think we are leaning their way when we are still prety open or waste anyone's time. At the same time, I want to be able to ask lots of questions now, before hiring someone (so I can feel comfortable with both their level of knowledge and the way they respond to our involvement). It's the biggest most important purchase we will make, and it's our "home" which means a lot to us. The fact that there is no clear cut "this person is excellent with SIPS building" makes it all the harder. (the thread on the ICF forum with the house that went all wrong with a builder inexperienced in that material makes me nervous.)
So anyway, I do appreciate this forum and people taking the time to offer their experience and perspective.
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SoCalScott
Registered Users
Posts:38
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| 07/31/2008 12:45 PM |
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If you are open with the contractors, letting them know that you are getting multiple bids, then there should be no porblem. Anyways, they are basically interviewing to get your job. The best scenario is when you find the builder that: has fair pricing, you can communicate well with, and has a history of of solid construction. If the one you choose has no SIPS experience, I would look for a SIPS company that has local/regional technical support. They are all still trying to build their contractor base. Make sure to research them and choose one with a quality product and a good reputation. In both cases, ASK FOR REFERENCES!!!
Good luck. |
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Rsipgeo
Registered Users
Posts:20
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| 08/01/2008 12:10 AM |
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There is no reason you can not use both. The shell goes up pretty fast and is only a part of the whole process. Perhaps the less experienced guy would be willing to sub for the experienced guy.
The key to building a house is speed and coordination. A contractor has to keep all the subs coming and going at the right times. plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofers, drywallers, masons, landscapers, flooring people, etc. In my experience the SIP shell is the easy part. Find out how much your financing is going to cost towards the end of the project per month then you'll see how important all that coordination is.
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richntiff
Registered Users
Posts:28
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| 08/01/2008 1:42 PM |
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| Hey, get as many quotes as you can, and let each contractor know you are receiving other quotes. It's the only way to ensure you receive a fair price. I'm sure each contractor would LOVE to know they are the only quote. You can double the cost of a house that way... |
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