I am looking for a home builder that specializes in ICFs to see if it can be done in my home building budget. I have a quote from a frame builder (no ICF) for around $85/sqft. I know it won't be that (wood is cheaper than concrete, obviously). I got a quote from the only one I could find on the net, and while really nice and I'd recommend him, the quote of around $130/sqft is steep for my Veteran's pay. I already have a layout I designed that we like, we just need a guiding hand for the rest of the building process. Thanks in advance.

Hello sdwhwk,
I would suggest you consider another approach. If you have a builder you like and he's in the area of $85/sqft -- I can bring you an ICF sub or two to bid just the ICF component under that builder. I will work with your builder to ensure he's comfortable with the trades and etc. Over the past ten years we have successfully built a few hundred houses this way in Texas. This approach works since you work with an expert installer and the builder can now add ICF to his list of skills/capabilities. It sounds like you are working with two different finish-out levels of builder and the real dollars are in the finish-out. This is why ICF for very high end finish out usually adds a trivial percentage. For normal finish out around $100/sqft it usually adds less than a 10% add. There are a few builders out there that charge the same -- I believe they are actually just charging more for the wood since they don't want to do wood frame.

As far as I know, I haven't seen your drawings yet but for a multitude of reasons I would be very surprised if the ICF adds more $10/sqft.

If you want to contact me you can send me a pm or go to my website at futurestone.

We also, have a training class coming up in Fort Worth, Texas on September 10th if that helps. Often, homeowners and installers both come to the class.

Regards

Hi Texas home owner, ICF Builder Magazine has launched a new website, expressly for professional ICF builders and Installers, you might want to go there and let it be known that you are looking for an ICF installer, its ICFbuildergroup dot com, it is the same organization that sponsors the ICF builder awards at the WOC - World of Concrete each year, you should be able to find some good installers there and alot of information, Clark Ricks is a good contact there as well, they handle the US and Canada, should be able to steer you in the right direction.
cheers

Thank y'all so much for the information and points to the right direction. It is overwhelming to build a new house from scratch when you don't really know where to start. We are still in the planning stages and looking for if it can be done and pricing if we can afford, so it will be a min of a year.

I like the idea of ICF for the energy savings because our electric bill now is over $200 for 1640 sqft. and the house still gets uncomfortable in the summer with the A/C 70 deg (yes, I know that is too low, but that's just to get the master at 79-83 deg). Plus tornados. We had one close to Forney a few years back and one subdivision pretty much got wiped out with my neighbor's mother's house having only the bathroom standing. From what I researched, this is an option.

Tex, I'll definitely keep you in mind. I found one more builder that I'm wanting to meet to see what he can do. Thanks for the tip on the cost so I know what to ask. You might be my only route if he is also too high.

Again, thanks very much.

What block are you using?

Looks like they do Nudura blocks.

Tex, just out of curiosity, I saw a post by you about INSUL-DECK Roofs. As I said, tornados are a big fear off mine. Is it honestly worth it and what would be the additional costs compared to stick roofs?

Sdwhwk,
Insuldeck is a great product. However, it's quite a bit more expensive than a framed roof. Costs vary greatly depending on the design. I can get you an estimate if you want .

If budget is a concern you may be better off with a regular ICF home andmaking a master closet into a safe room and putting a six or 8 inch concrete roof on it. This usually costs very little because two walls are already existing and Pump Truck is already there and the crew is already there. Regards

Would the whole closet be ICF or just the exteriors and interiors something else? Our master closet is 14'-9" x 9'-10" with total ICF and 15'-4" x 10'-5" standard with ICF exterior. Also, could an ICF wall be a plumbing wall and how do you add/replace electrical/PEX plumbing to an existing wall for future upgrades/repairs?

You can make the closet ICF with concrete roof and build the rest of the home out of wood. But to my earlier point, if you are building ICF already usually you can often add two ICF walls to an area that already has two external ICF walls -- perhaps a closet -- and create an economical safe room. Regarding plumbing and electrical on an ICF wall -- all additions and modifications would take place inside the foam. Regards.

You can make the closet ICF with concrete roof and build the rest of the home out of wood. But to my earlier point, if you are building ICF already usually you can often add two ICF walls to an area that already has two external ICF walls -- perhaps a closet -- and create an economical safe room. Regarding plumbing and electrical on an ICF wall -- all additions and modifications would take place inside the foam. Regards.

Kinda figured with the closet, but didn't want to assume. So my under standing, you would have to cut a channel in the Sheetrock and foam, install mod, then repatch the Sheetrock, right? If that is the case, it is much easier than going through a firewalled wood frame with insulation. The only pain in the rear I could see is anything from the outside in after the build (like installing coach lights where there wasn't a box and wires for it before).

Depending on your outside finishes that may not be very difficult just need a 20 inch hammer drill bit. Make sure you make any penetrations through the concrete slightly down to the outside --- with an angle of 1 or 2° Down to the outside. That way if what ever does get into your wall it will go out instead of in . Regards.

PS - sometimes it's easier to run these wires up and over the top plate.