I have architect who is finishing working plans designed for timber. i am looking to build with ICF and asked from an ICF manufectore (AMVIC)for a quote based on the architect. for my surprise they asked for engineering $20-30k on top of the forms. is there is another supplier who provide engineering for better price or for free? (my architect is not familiar with ICF)

Where are you located?

michael_m

I would call Jon Garber at 540-248-3771, he should be able to help you out. He does almost all of the engineering work for me. He is very knowledgable and reasonable in my opinion. I have no clue where you are looking to build, but if he can't help he can probably find someone who can. Feel free to give him my name Ren Angle as the reason for your calling.

renangle

idoit me... i am looking to build in New york state and apparently need an engineer with NY license.

Michael,

Give me a call at 239-438-2670. We can provide NY licensed engineering for you on your ICF project. as well as provide a price to you to build it if you are looking for that.

Happy holidays.

Greg Fasano
ICON Structures LLC

Where in NY.

I am assuming this is only a foundation. Let me say that you do not need an engineer to build an ICF foundation to carry a timber frame home unless it is required by the state. If you use any ICF you will get the same structural strength as conventional concrete. The foam simply forms the concrete walls it does make the wall stronger or weaker then convential forms so you can design the wall the same way as wood forms. Were you going to hire a strucural engineer if you poured conventional forms? Ask a respected concrete installer in your area if they use ICF's then ask a few more pick there brains. Or if they do not use ICFs ask how they would place rebar our your project. You will be surprised how many different techniques are in practice. If that doesn't work here is a reference chart that should help you figure out for yourself how much rebar you need and then you can share it with your engineer. http://www.amvicsystem.com/Portals/0/ICFTechManual/appendix%20b%20-%20wall%20engineering%20new.pdf dont forget the engineer that is unfamiliar with icfs will ask the same questions as your architect. Also any quality concrete crew can do ICFs they just would rather not because they own the wood forms and change is hard. You the consumer is the person that is making all the "experts" change, along with the industry. No one ever listens to the distributors or sales people that have been involved with thousands of projects. Thank you and good luck.

thanks for all the replays. the house to be build is in scarsdale, NY. (westchester county) and i want to build basment + 2 stories complete out of ICF (include 2 floors)i believe that now i need serious engineer...

Michael,

We are engineering a 7 story hotel, that will all be ICF bearing wall construction in the Bronx. I am from NY and very familiar with the area. We can provide the complete engineering for you from your designs. Also, as i stated above, we can alos provide installation services. Please call me at 239-438-2670, if you are interested in discussing this further.

Thank You,
Gregory Fasano
ICON Structures LLC
www.myspace.com/icfbuilder
www.iconstructure.com

We are building a 6 story hotel in New York now. 
Would be glad to assist you with the engineering as well as the build.  We do ICF, concrete interim floors, radiant floor heat, geothermal heat and cool, solar electric and water, wind.  We work closely with a very knowledgeable engineer familiar with icf.  A [u]good[/u] engineer familiar with icf can make building with icf much easier. 

I have a job, a residential home in WA, one story with walkout and about 7,000 (both floor) in design engineering. I haven't selected the engineer but his proposal was under $5,000 and the scope of work is excellent. I'd shop around because 20-30K is outrageous. I had ICF 6" core built into the plans but the engineer will do all the stress/load calculations and size the footings and walls. I have one backfilled wall so it will likely be an 8" core. I hope this helps.

My architect was also not familiar with icf but he was willing to learn and I am helping him out with what I know. I am in NJ where the architect can seal plans and we don't need an engineer. My architect is consulting with an engineer for the areas he is not sure of, but your architect should be able to design unless it is different in NY and you need an engineer seal. I would think since your architect is already familiar with the plans, he might be the most economical route even if he charges you a little more. 20-30K sounds insane. My architect is charging me 30,000 and he designed 12,000 square feet of space (well, since I am very particular I ended up designing a big portion of the layout, be he made it all work). I would definitely look for an economical alternative. Perhaps get an engineer with an icf background as a consultant who can just direct your architect. Good luck.