Looking for quote. Job site in Prattville, AL. - just north of Montgomery.

Nailing down pricing in Alabama is proving to be a challenge.  Is there an "EXPERIENCED" ICF contractor closer to Montgomery or Birmingham? That will offer pricing fair enough for you and your crew to make an honest living, but also fair for me and my clients?  I've received quotes all over the place dollar wise. One seemed professional and the rest... Not so much...  Last quote I received worked out to $18.80 /sf of wall...  Although the installer seems to be well qualified, I won't even try to justify that cost to my client. (If ICF's typically cost this much, for a relatively low level of complexity, I don't see how it is marketable in my area.)

If you have questions, please post them here or via private message.  In my opinion, providing your telephone # and asking me to call you in your first message, without investing any effort at all, demonstrates lack of initiative... That is the exact opposite of the type of partners I want.  If you think this is a reasonable and rational approach, and still interested, Please continue reading.

The foundation drawings (pdf) can be viewed/saved are at:

http://www.panelstar.com/images/gallery/Partners/prattville/pages/pdfindex.htm

Notes:

1. IMPORTANT!  Before taking on ICF's ourselves, my crew and I must learn how to do it right. We will all be on-site asking watching, questions and basically being a pain in the butt. We will assist as needed to get hands on, but try not to slow things down too much. I will hire a contractor for the first couple/few ICF projects, or until comfortable with the process and "tricks".  The quote can include a little extra something to compensate for the hassle and aggravation of me and my guys asking this and that.  Just be fair about it. I'm not asking for classroom/formal training.

2. Walkout basement:  Rear portion (as shown in drawing) is 6" ICF. 9'8" hi or as required for 9' ceiling inside.  There are nine wall segments, eight corners and two wall ends.  Wall ends need anchor bolts installed for SIP walls. It looks like four beam pockets will be required. The walk out portion of the basement (and house above) is SIP's and require close tolerances. The foundation walls must match the drawings, be square, flat and level. State the quality of work/tolerances in the quote.  Also, please see the ICF foundation wall section pdf. It shows the detail for this particular job.

3. On the floor system drawing, to the right of the stair case, the wall location is incorrect and the tripple LVL beam is missing. It will be redrawn to show true locations of walls and LVL required. See left side of drawing. These are the beam pocket locations.

4. Quote is for ICF walls and waterproofing only. Excavation and footings will be ready for ICF crew to do their thing.  No windows - no doors. Install anchor bolts for sill plate during pour. All standard materials can be purchased locally but contractor must supply a list of required materials.  Specialty materials relating to ICF's to be supplied by contractor.

5.  The contractor must be willing to work with me to establish a method for me to estimate their work on future jobs. This is so I can provide quotes on custom homes in a reasonable mount of time.  It can be by component, # of window/doors/corners, sf of wall etc.  Whatever works to generate accurate estimates (+- 5%) is fine with me as long as it is not based on rocket science.

6.  The contractor must have a habit of effective communications.  Access to the internet, E-Mail and telephone AND using them is required.  Days/weeks passing waiting for information is not acceptable.

Is this asking too much?

Regards,

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

John

John,
I read this a couple days ago courtesy of Chris Kavala on another section:

http://www.metwood.com/icfhanger .......it goes toward your #2 and 3. It looks like Metwood has other very good alternatives to wood beams. I've never used them but I am going to price them for my project. You might ask Chris about them - he has experience with them.

It looks like a really good alternative to a beam pocket - looks much easier from a construction stand point and easy to install exactly where you need it. I've never done ICFs and probably will not unless it is a concrete-eps-concrete type.

Now probably every who loves ICFs will jump on me!!! It's just not what I would use based on alternatives.

John,
This is a pretty straight forward project you have here.
I would (roughly) estimate the cost at $13.00 (Actually quick estimate came to 13.02), Materials, concrete, labor and pump.
This is a pretty low cost per square foot, because it is a simple build (no windows or doors in the ICF).
This does include the water proofing for the entire ICF installation which would probably not be required. We only charge for the actual materials used so you do not pay for extra material and we can give a good estimate.
We are based in Birmingham but work all over the state.
We can provide formal training or on the job training for product installation.
If you have questions give me a call 205-243-5772
I can be reached via email at matt at maceyinc.com (remove the at and replace with @)

Thanks
Matt Winther
Macey Building Services
Quad-Lock ICF distributor

From what I read in your post, contacting an icf manufacturer would be of your best interest. For they could send you an installer/trainer directly on site to point you in the right direction eliminating your loss of labour time. The instalation and engeneering manuels of most manufacturers should also provide tools list and help answering doubtful but easy questions which some find humiliating to ask.
If you'd like me to provide you contact info drop me a message in the private messaging.
Cheers!