I've been reading many of the past notes and have found some very useful information.  I just was curious what pricing I should expect from different vendors for their product(amvic, arxx, buildblock,eco-block,nudura or quadlock)

I'm just trying to zero in some of the nuts and bolts of what to expect of 8" straight, 90 corner and 45's as regards to bare block cost.

Thanks in advance

Dave

In my locale, ICF usage has been adopted by home builders who have become fed up with the lousy jobs done by some (not all) of the poured wall foundation subcontractors.  The lumberyards kind of got the ball rolling by taking on product lines and going out to try to sell some packages.

What I have seen is that as soon as one lumberyard started to sell ICFs, the others all followed.  All our local guys now stock and sell the blocks and everything else needed to do ICF, and they "lend out" the entire package of bracing and scaffolding planks as part of the cost of doing biz.

I can get Arxx from one, and make some calls elsewhere and get Logix and Amvic.  The price seems to have leveled to between $19 and $20 per block, that for the nominal size of 11 thick x 48 wide x 16 high.  The 6" core block here is what is commonly used for foundations. Sales tax is added, but no freight.  I've seen very little usage of ICF for anything other than foundations.

Your mileage may vary.

The pricing will always vary as in any product that is for sale. Sizeand style of the forms will affect price. Competition will usually keep it close. Quality fixed forms will usually be more. Distributor and manufacturing locations will control shipping costs in your area. In FL we are not basement guys but above grade walls on stemwalls, footers and slabs. Do your homework and shopping comps.

Check out Fox blocks. They post their prices on the web site and are direct sale, no sales reps. I'm a sq-ft thinker. They were the lowest I've seen so far. When I was out at the "World of Concrete" show prices varred $3. to $4/sq-ft. Fox was $2.87. First load free delivery,I think.

don't fear the fox name, I was told they have been manufacturing blocks under many name brands but just recently came out with their own block. From the looks of their pricing, their buying market share. I will likely go Fox blocks

Patrick T

In my opinion selecting a block based on its price is not exactly as justifiable as you may think. Im not going to make this a 'this block is better then your block' war, but in reality you really need to take a look at what your working with. You should choose a block that will maximize your potential for a successful pour. We chose to go with logix because of the blocks high structural integrity. If you notice the block has nice thick 2.75" walls of eps. The corners have a 45 degree tie and have outer and inner corner attachments for interior and exterior materials. You dont have to brace your corners and you dont have to glue forms. Another thing that I feel is very important when choosing a block is the design of the tie in the block. Not anything against the foxBlocks but their tie isn't exactly free flowing concrete consolidation friendly.

Other things to consider are pull out strengths when attaching fasteners such as drywall screws and bracing requirements.

Pete

The OPs question isn't relevent to pricing, because if 1 or 2 of those listed aren't easily available in his area, then the pricing issue is a moot point.

If you can buy product xyz, but have to ship it 4 states away, it's not how to compare pricing.

To me, its either sq. ft. or x number of blocks, price as delivered to site. Now you can compare block A to block B to block C

I would tend to agree with Jim on this one....Availability is one thing that can close the door on a low price. In South Texas, one can purchase forms that are similar to Amvic, Reward, tritex or Buildblock for as little as ten dollars....but shipping them by conventional means may offset the form costs. Additionally, the lowest cost form may be the highest cost form when considering the installation cost and finish cost.... I would tend to consider the price of the block as a secondary issue and focus on the performance issues.... The difference in most ICF form costs will be a negligible four or five hundred dollars for a particular project....I've seen some ICF projects where the wasted forms on the site or scrap equals at least that much in cost...plus you now have to add the labor that was associated with getting them to that point, then the labor to get them to the dumpster and the cost of having them hauled off. One would be better off focusing on the overall finished cost and availability of the forms and someone that may be available to assist in teaching if you are a novice.

Well one has to look at many options and points of interest! For example as for most of the new ICF's that have came out reversible since 99' fox is the only one that bonds in 4" increments which creates a few issues. Make sure you talk with someone that is happy with the form and service. Likely a new form may not have representation in your area which is the most important aspect of buying an ICF. What good is a form if there is no local support to a first timer as to guidance and alignment rental.

Dave