we are preparing to start an icf project and will be selecting a contractor soon. Most of the contractors have a easy time talking about concrete, steel placement but have a more difficult time articulating the quality of how well a project will be done.

While i have looked up the ASTM standards many residentail contractors that i have spoken with are not familiar with this. that said, i would like the advice of this forum.

What are the current industry standards and norms for
1. Wall Plumb -- we have tall (30+') walls and would like to know if dead plumb is something I should expect (and include in the contract)
2. Waviness -- Walls are around 60' long...is there a standard deviation (+/-) over a certain distance, and total variation in the entire wall length?
3. Flatness-- What is the +/- i should expect (avoid bulges). I will not be out with a tape, but  want to know what to expect in my walls
4.Part II of the flatness question is what flatness and smoothness should i expect from my slabs..these will be exposed in the living space

I don't intend to get to wrapped up with this, i simply want to know how you all think about this, and the types of expectations i should have with someone who is getting hundreds of thousands of dollars to build an ICF home.
thanks, Steve

Here's what I found on my single build, so you can know that it is possible. Highest wall was about 25' and the layout was medium to difficult with a number of rake walls.

1. Dead plumb. Although during window trim-out today we did find the only place where a wall deviated by about 1/8" - 3/16"
2. Not even a hint of waviness. Certainly nothing visual and nothing detected during any follow-on work.
3. I have seen cores vary by as much as +/- 1/8", in thickness, generally thicker down lower.
4. Drywall contractor remarked on how straight the walls were in the ICF portion, even compared to the standard framing.

ICFHybrid is right on. However, everything depends on the quality of ICF product chosen and the quality of the installer. The best installers can make a good wall with a so-so ICF product.An inexperienced installer can make a disaster with even the best materials.Remember, the cheapest materials are rarely the best value. Polycrete is often the most expensive, but delivers the most consistent results. Most other national products are effective when installed by contractors that have been trained and are experienced installing that particular product. My advice is to pick a really good installer and then him choose the ICF product he likes best.

thanks this is super helpful. Really appreciate the facts as it helps me set expectations with my contractor and myself. very excelent. btw, still sorting out the exterior coating but will start a separate thread on that. again, many thanks!

Posted By ICFHybrid on 27 Apr 2013 01:49 AM
Here's what I found on my single build, so you can know that it is possible. Highest wall was about 25' and the layout was medium to difficult with a number of rake walls.

1. Dead plumb. Although during window trim-out today we did find the only place where a wall deviated by about 1/8" - 3/16"
2. Not even a hint of waviness. Certainly nothing visual and nothing detected during any follow-on work.
3. I have seen cores vary by as much as +/- 1/8", in thickness, generally thicker down lower.
4. Drywall contractor remarked on how straight the walls were in the ICF portion, even compared to the standard framing.

So which block did you use???

ARXX Prime 6"