Hey guys, i'm currently a residential framing subcontractor that builds for several larger builders in the Fargo, ND/Moorhead, MN area. I am looking into becoming a full turnkey builder, but to set myself apart from what other builders are doing in the area, I want to build with ICF's due to the many selling points over traditional stick framing. You do see some ICF basements in the area but almost no full ICF houses. So the question I have is what do I really need to get into building with ICF's and is there a training program somewhere where I could learn the ropes before diving into this. Thanks, Dave

You might want to ck out these web sites.


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What I see with the most successful ICF builders is that they are fairly innovative and have each evolved their own ways of dealing with the foibles of ICF. Based on that, I'd say that someone who also wanted to be successful might take a close look at a build or two done by at least two or three ICF builders. You would learn a lot of good "tricks" that would be invaluable.

I'd offer to provide some free labor to each one in order to get a close look. The nature of the ICF market is such that professional cooperation between ICF builders is way more valuable than direct competition.

I know Nudura holds training classes. You might see if they have a distributor in your area. www.nudura.com

Some people want basements solely for the storm protection. Maybe you could design and build above grade storm resistant homes with safe rooms. That might be a niche that would set you apart from other builders.

As far as investment, bracing is the only expensive item that I can think of.

Don't the distributors invest in the bracing and rent it to the contractors who use their product?

Hi Dave,

I would like to discuss this with you in more detail. I have years of experience and hundreds of thousands of sq ft of ICF wall installed. If you are interested in discussing this with me, please call me at 239-438-2670.

Thank you
Greg Fasano

Buildblock ICF has a great product, service, training & technical support when you need it, the owner is a 20+ yr veteran in the ICF industry, you can contact Earl Fowler @ the home office 405-212-3134

We are the Twin Cities master distributor of BuildBlock, there are a lot of good ICFs out there, I believe it is our service and experience that is above par. I would be happy to help you get going as an ICF builder. One way is to sell a job and I will come to you and teach your crew for the whole project.
But one thing that separates the ICF guy from the concrete guy is, own your bracing. I would be happy to help you out there too.

Posted By ICFHybrid on 09 Sep 2011 08:42 AM
Don't the distributors invest in the bracing and rent it to the contractors who use their product?

I was curious about this myself when I started my ICF build.  I contacted many ICF block manufacturers and nobody supplied braces in my area except Nudura, which came out of Ohio (I'm in So IL).  Their was one semi-local ICF builder that would rent their braces for 6 bucks a day a piece.  I needed 56 pieces, so that would be 300+ bucks a day.  Nudura rents their 10' braces for 6 bucks a week with a two week minimum.  The catch was that they drop the braces off with the forms, but you had to arrange to get the braces back to them.  Since I was doing two stories and therefore I was going to have the braces for a while, I decided to build my own bracing system.  I have a background in metalworking so I built my own.  I got lucky and found about 30 C-channel beams from the local scrap yard that were in excellent shape.  I bought 1x1x 11ga tubing to make my lateral supports and my scaffolding.  Ellis concrete sells turnbuckles for about 11 bucks a piece.  In all, I have about $2000 invested in the braces, not including labor, but they work great. 

If you were serious about getting into ICF construction, you might keep an eye on this forum for people trying to sell braces.  A brand new commercial brace could sell for $200 for a single unit.  But you  might be able to get a used set for much cheaper.

All the bracing on my recent build was supplied by the distributor. It lives on utility trailers which are shared among the contractors. When you are done, you pack up the bracing and someone then tows it to their next job site.

Proximity is important when it comes to bracing rental. In this case from the Twin Cities to Fargo it would be cost prohibitive. A real ICF contractor owns his own. Plus renting is expensive and in many cases the rented stuff is substandard. I ride people pretty hard when they use my bracing, because a job will only turn out as good as your bracing.
I like bracing that the components can be used for things other than just vertical bracing. use the strongbacks as horizontal straightener on the outside of the top course; put a strongback under the lintel of an O.H. door or other large opening, and hold it up with turnbuckles, or even shore an ICF floor or roof with them.
There is also a lot of bracing for sale, I know of 48 used Giraffe braces in MN.

Thanks for all the great info guys. I have been trying to find distributors of forms and bracing locally with little luck, so I might have to source stuff from the twin cities area. So I think Im either going to go with buildblock or quad lock ICF systems. Both of these systems lock great. One other question I had is have any of you guys tried the Zont Bracing system http://www.fab-form.com/zontBracing/zontBracingOverview.php . I can see the benefit from a steel reusable bracing system but does anyone use the Zont system?

I have a couple jobs in the next few weeks in the Minot area, you are welcome to come out and work if you wish.

307-254-2582 cell

Kevin
www.icfinstall.com