Okay, so i'm new to the construction world, but i'm having a home built right now. The home was constructed from "Eco-block". Yesterday my drywall person said that he could not get started b/c there are several walls that are not "plumb" or straight. I contacted my contractor and he said that he is perfectly normal and that he would pad the walls out. My question is,  is this acceptable or as common as he made it seem. I dont want to pay more money to have these walls fixed, what do i do now?

Sheila

If they are close they can be rasped straight.  Sometimes they may need added foam.. It will depend on how bad they are out of plumb and straight. 

Your contractor is lying. The very most important thing about ICF is making thewalls plumb, straight, and square. Sounds like he didn't do any of these.

I'd better not say anymore. Where are you, who is he?

New member here.  Long time "lurker".

Let's not be quick to hammer the installer just yet!  Is your drywaller experienced with ICF?  Reason I ask, is because all of us who have been in construction a long time know that the "new kid" on the block takes the hit for everyone!  This is why on occasion, other trades will "pad" their bids because they are unfamiliar with the ICF method.  Those of you in construction know that every trade blames the other for issues.

There are situations that can cause walls to be out of plumb!  Stuff happens.  If it is grossly out of plumb, then there is a problem.  Might I suggest a meeting between you, the ICF installer, and the drywall installer and sort it out.  Usually when you have all pertinent parties involved face to face, big things get little really quick!

Not saying this is the case here, but just my experience!

BTW, you paid the installer for walls installed correctly.  You should not incur and additional charges to make the walls plumb!  "Furring out" while undesireable and avoidable with proper pre pour due dilligence does become necessary sometimes.

Good Luck!  Even though there are always going to be issues in construction, you will forget them once the house is done and you are enjoying a "high performance" home!

i'm in northeast florida and not really at liberty to say who he is (i dont want to get into any legal slander issues) the worse wall is out about 3 inches

Absolutely a issue of negligence. A 1/2 inch would be unacceptable, and ICF installers like this should be ousted out by the ICF locals who do good installs. Please share with us if you did your due diligence in checking out this installers work. Mostly a wall that is 3" out is borderline tipping over due to top heavyiness, are you saying 3" out of plumb(vertically) or are you saying 3" out of straightness with corners that are obviously out of plumb?

Dave

This is common but it is not correct. Insist that your ICF installer either rasp the walls or laminate them with foam sheets. Do not pay etc for this service. There is no reason that your walls are not plumb, level and square. We have built 7 story condo projects with only two small places that had to be rasped. Insist that your contractor make the installer correct this problem.