After a lot of research about ICF, I’m now trying to figure out how to proceed with my ICF house project. Should I look for an architect first and then a GC (recommended by the architect) or the other way around? I have some definite ideas and am pretty proficient in Sketchup. Any recommendation - architect or GC with ICF experience will be highly appreciated.

I would look both ways. Some architects can change base plans into ICF and have no problems and some will look at you like "what are you talking about."

Some GC know ICF and some don't but if you find a architect that knows ICF then his GC will be more willing to do the job.

Where do you live?

Posted By newbostonconst on 04 Dec 2019 11:16 AM

Where do you live?

Heh heh heh.

My name is David Hopke. Icf contractor and architect located in central missouri. I have 20 yr experience with icf and do drawing conversions for house plans. Modifying for thicker walls and adjusted structure. Would be glad to discuss your project. Contact info personal message.

Where do you live?

I should provide more details about the project - a newbie mistake. My apologies.

I have some land in Pass Christian (Mississippi Gulf coast) and propose to build my retirement home on the property. I am presently in New Jersey and plan to move there sometime next year. As I don’t live in that area, it is difficult to get in touch with proper architects / GCs. Most of the websites I visited, the architects deal with commercial concrete buildings or very large projects. The proposed house is expected to be around 2500 sq ft, 3 bed, 3 1/2 bath, elevated to meet local code (velocity zone or something) and preferably with radiant heating. And like everyone else, I would like to have a Cadillac on a Chevrolet budget.

My intention is to use either ICF or a poured concrete column & beam with blocks construction. I don’t know what the price difference will be, given the labor and forms costs needed for a non-ICF house. Also, I would prefer a concrete roof too - although most examples I’ve seen include a stick built roof with shingles.

Given the locations involved, my intention was to visit a few architects on a visit to the coast and see if I can then work with one on the internet via some shared white board or even emailing Sketchup files or pdfs to finalize the details. A GC recommended by the architect would then build the house. Or find a GC that I feel comfortable with and he recommends an architect. In either case, things will be done remotely with an occasional visit to the site by me when necessary.

My time frame is flexible - I would prefer to move in sometime in late 2020. So any help, pointers, gotchas, even criticisms are welcome.

- Ravi

Thanks for your reply, David. I was looking for someone local to the project area, preferably. I still don’t know how this will turnout. Ravi

In this case I would look to see who the closest ICF block supplier is because even though there are different types of blocks they all function pretty much the same and normally fall under the stand code book.

I would then call that supplier or suppliers and have them give you numbers or names of people they supply to near where you are going to build.

Then you can talk to them and ask if they have a architect they have worked with.

Good Luck, sounds like you are going to have fun. Concrete roof does not sound like fun though....