Hi,
I'm new here but have been researching sips for quite awhile. My plan is to build a 1 1/2 story home that will be 2700 sqft.

I live in the southeast Texas area and have contacted eh systems. There distributor near me called e3 residential sollutions ltd is telling me I should be able to build my home for $80 sqft or less. Does this sound realistic?

Also I will be going through a company called be your own builder, so I won't have the added cost of a builder.
A friend of mine just finished his home through this company and built his stick frame house 2x6 with cellulose insulation at $80 sqft. This included custom cabinets a granite countertops throughout and hardwood flooring.

So basically I am wanting to know if he is just telling me he can build my house for the same or less, or is this just wishfull thinking.



Thanks for this great forum, I have learned a lot and look forward to hearing your feedback.

Let me say that, in my area, I can build a SIPS home for $80 /sf. HOWEVER, it does not happen very often.
Customer choice options will drive the price higher, $100+/sf, in most cases. The reasoning is simple, the buying public has been convinced by designers, 'stylists', and marketers that many options once reserved for high end projects should now be considered 'standard' required items for every tract mcmansion being built. The cost of the structural elements for a home have far less to do with the final cost of that home than the finishes.
If you want to build your home for $80/sf, you can. But you have to be prepared to build a budget based on that number and STICK TO IT, even if you don't get every single upgrade you think you can't live without. Trust me, you will survive without granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. And with the money you save on utility costs, you can afford to upgrade in a few years. If you can see it and feel it, you can change it. Energy saving (and money saving) structural systems, such as SIPS, cannot be changed later.

I've known the owner of E3 for several years. He is very knowledgeable about SIPS, construction, and energy conservation, and I think he will deliver what you want IF the design is right. This would mean that the roof needs to be suitable for SIPS and that you don't go overboard with the finishes. Having said that, granite is pretty inexpensive in Texas, so that might be doable for something in the range of $80 sq/ft. It certainly would be in Houston.

Thanks for the input. That makes me feel better hearing you mention good things about E3. He definately took the time to explain everything about what he offers and that means a lot to me.

I live just outside of Houston so I'm glad to hear that about granite prices. I am going to do my best to make sure this house is designed as sip friendly as I can make it.

One thing I am concerned about is having them design my house, because they are close to 2 hours away from me. Should I be worried about this or will this even be a problem. Or would it be better to stick with someone local, but unfortunately nobody in my area even knows what sip even is. I'm just trying to figure out the best way to go about all of this.
Anyone have an opinion on this? Thanks

I have designed homes for people all over the US and beyond. On more than one occasion, I never met my clients in person. I am not recommending this as the best method, but it does work. A two hour drive a couple times over the design process is not that bad.

I have been searching for different sip designers around my area. I have noticed some of them offer 3D cad software to view your house plans on. Has anyone had experience with the 3d software, and do you think it is worth it to choose someone that offers this?

Hughianowen,
You mentioned knowing E3, did they do a sip house for you? If so how did their price compare to other sip companies? I'm just trying to find out as much as I can about them before I commit to having them design and install the sip panels for my house. Thanks

I haven't built yet, but I already have a plan. E3 redesigned a structure for a friend of mine and both improved the design and reduced the cost. As for cost, you need to look at the whole package - design, erection, etc. - unless all you want are raw panels for a DIY build. E3's EH OSB panels are cost competitive enough that E3 is underselling the other SIPS manufacturer here. If you want a stucco or venetian plaster exterior, EH's panels with MGO laminated on the OSB is very cost effective and probably can't be matched for total build cost. I know of one company in NM that can undersell EH on the OSB panels by a little, but unless you just want the raw panels, E3 is a much better value for a Houston build.

Posted By cdal1 on 12 Apr 2010 10:08 PM
Hi,
I'm new here but have been researching sips for quite awhile. My plan is to build a 1 1/2 story home that will be 2700 sqft.

I live in the southeast Texas area and have contacted eh systems. There distributor near me called e3 residential sollutions ltd is telling me I should be able to build my home for $80 sqft or less. Does this sound realistic?

Also I will be going through a company called be your own builder, so I won't have the added cost of a builder.
A friend of mine just finished his home through this company and built his stick frame house 2x6 with cellulose insulation at $80 sqft. This included custom cabinets a granite countertops throughout and hardwood flooring.

So basically I am wanting to know if he is just telling me he can build my house for the same or less, or is this just wishfull thinking.



Thanks for this great forum, I have learned a lot and look forward to hearing your feedback.

cdal1;

I have a builder friend in Galveston who is getting $90.+ / sq. ft. depending on finishes

I am interested in your project. I too am planing a 2500 Sq' home in south east Texas useing sips.I have my plans so i'm starting to get bids on panels. If your close enough I'd like to see the panel installation phase.Keep posting.

Ross,
We have two SIP homes under construction you can come see in progress just north of Houston in the Conroe area. Please contact E3 with your plans for a quote and consultation on your home including a free Manual J and Energy Analysis. Check out our website at www.e3residentialsolutions.blogspot.com

Michael Mounce
[email protected]
936-444-6393

Ross,

Just wondering how your project is coming.  Have you had a chance to get any actual bids? 
Also do you plan to get other insulation bids such as cellulose or spray foam?  I would love to see a comparison.

I just finished getting my survey completed on my land so I will be starting my house plans very soon.

Yes, I have a few bids. There seems to be a very wide range depending on the degree the panels are completed 32000-50000. Other bids are slow to come in. I have requested five panel bids and only two responded, so far. I will get a bid on traditional build. It is really time consuming for me and others to try and compare all the different build types.
There are so many factors involved. I guess thats why I havent been able to see apple for orange comparisons on other projects.
I am resigned to the fact that it will cost more and if I can afford it I will build with panels.

Yea, that's kind of what I am figuring out talking with other people.  Hope things work out for you, keep us posted on your progress. 

I am still trying to figure out which way I am going to go with my house plans.  It seems I need to have a designer to design the house around SIP to have it be cost comparable, but if I do that and find out I can't afford SIP then my house might be designed on the high side for stick construction. 

Does anyone know if framers that aren't familiar with SIP have trouble framing the interior of a SIP home?  Or would they just make there bid higher to compensate for the unknown.
Thanks

cdal1;

have your designer draw very preliminary plans, floor plan and elevations, don't complete all the fine details and sections until you get your bids so you can decide to build with SIPs or conventional

interior framing is interior framing wether with sips or otherwise

Posted By cdal1 on 27 Apr 2010 08:00 PM
...Or would they just make there bid higher to compensate for the unknown...

Framing is framing, but yes they will make the bid higher.

E3 can also offer a bid for SIP installation and framing of interior walls.  We have an interior designer that will complete your plans at  $ .85 per square foot.

Michael T. Mounce
E3 Residential Solutions, LLC
936-444-6393

www.e3residentialsolutions.blogspot.com