What a day! Truck showed up late, about 3:00 and it took about 1/2 hour just to untarp and strap it. Being confident in my skid steer skills i thought it would be no problem to unload. Ha! The 34 ft ridge beam was on top of the load and it was to late to get a crane out so we had to wook with what we had, a ls170 with 8 ft fork extentions. The beam was about 13ft of the ground so with the fork topped out and tilted up we could lift it about 4 inchs and so we were able top work the stack down a panel at a time until i could get the beam lower and in the midlle. I have video that i'll post a link to showing the "Heh ya'll watch this!" moment when the beam slides down the the forks towards the machine. Nearly soiled myself. Besides the truck getting stuck leaving it went smothly thereafter. The moral of the story. Make sure if you are using a "Redneck crane" have the beam loaded on the bottom and have at least 3 helpers. Thanks for letting me share. michael

Sounds like fun! :)

We've unloaded two trucks full of panels so far, by hand, and we're not done getting them in yet. It will wear you out all right.

We woked with the understanding that after two hours we were on the hook for by the hour fees. Not including the time we spent helping the driver untarp unstrap and roll his tarps (Not our job but a nice thing to do) it probably took us 2 hours to unload. I dont think i would have spent an extra 200 plus bucks to save the driver a little time. If the beam had been low down in the load we could have done it in 30-45 minutes. For DIYers i think it went as well as could be hoped.

Brawler;

 2 hours is reasonable and I wasn't singling you out,  is why I started my comment with"for anyone". It was intended for the DIYers that do not plan ahead and show up under-manned and under-equipped or no off loading equipment is dangerous and inconsiderate

I concur.

When the truck shows up unannounced and three days late, it's not easy to be prepared. An all-terrain forklift can cost 500 dollars a day. When the truck doesn't show then what?

thats insanity!  then you backcharge the supplier.

When our deliveries are scheduled, we pick the date and time, we get a 24 hour advanced confirmation from driver asking us what time do we want delivery, they are usually always early, we only had one instance in the last 9 years when a delivery was an hour late.

our allterrain rate is $195./day

most deliveries are 2 truck loads, we quickly off load to get drivers back on road, then use lift to stratgically place panels for easy access and erection

Unfortunately we read on the forum about DIY'ers , mishaps, misfortunes and unacceptable actions by suppliers and sub-contractors that are not the "norm" in the professional contractor's world.
Yes it does occasionally occur to us too, but because of our experience we know what is normal and what is not.
All too often we see the DIY'er abused and used, it is part of their "learning curve" that sometimes costs them financially.

"All too often we see the DIY'er abused and used"

Boy, you sure can say that again!

Backcharge the supplier - a nice concept. I can think of ALL SORTS of charges that should be applied in my case! :)

Your rate for a reach-lift sounds good, but you already have an account, you already have insurance, and maybe you have a relationship that gets your pick up and delivery fees waived, and maybe prices are better in your area. But add all that stuff up for the little guy, and it's more than double that.

But you're exactly right Chris, the cost of the learning curve is something that a DIY'er needs to take a long hard look at before they jump in. I would still do it if I knew then what I know now, because of the type of person I am and the types of things I like to do. But you can be sure there are LOTS of things I would do differently if I knew then what I know now.

Six months?! Don't make me cry.

DIYers need to add in the costs of rental eqipment to the build cost. The problem starts with the contractor in my opinion. If that is the DIY guy, then so be it. In any event, proper planning ALL aspects of a build is essential and is probably the single biggest thing I did right on mine. For those reading this forum that are thinking about building your own home, take heed.
I had done little fix ups in my old house which included some basic plumbing and electric work. No building experience. However, using common sense, asking alot of questions and micro-managing the build all the way through proved to be invaluable. I had a blast, would do it again but keep in mind NO SUB/Manufacturer will have more interest in your build than you. If you haven't worked the details, no one has.

Brawler I would love to contact you about your Sips project. I am in Alleghany county where there is very little/ limited knowledge of this type of building. There is a house going up at the moment close by but I get the feeling I have studied the concept more than the builder putting it up. It would be great to get different views and see one being built.

B edwards. I welcome you to come by antime you are in the area. We will start putting panels up on Jan 10 if the weather cooperates. Its a small project and we have a sIPS builder Robert Costanza of MM&I from nashville coming to supervise our build. Hes bringing one guy with him and i hope to have me and four more each day. Many hands make light work. If all goes well it could be done in 2 days but i think 3 might be more realistic. We will be using a crane for the sencond floor walls and the ridge beam and roof panels. If your free any part of those days we'd love to have you. If you cant make it then feel free to come by anytime, and that goes for everyone else here. Feel free to call me AT seeven zerroo fouur 779 9867. Thanks michael

If you mean Alleghany County, Va? or Allegheny, Pa.,  if Pa you have one of the best OSB guys in your backyard  http://www.suretight.com/ in any event they will ship to VA as well

Thanks but it is Alleghany county NC.

I wish more SIPS guys were as open as you to letting people watch them build. I asked to watch people build last summer and had one guy respond. THAT was an invaluable (short as it was) learning experience for me . Thanks Brawler , and Happy New Year.

Hey guys, we are moving along well. The weather has been wet and cold but i think it will start going faster now with spring here. I am going to cut down dow fan fold 1/4 inch insulation to 2 inch strips and have the hardie siding crew install it as they put up the hardie. Hardie approves of instal over 1/4 inch foam so hopefully it will not be a problem that it is not solid sheets. I saw this in Joe Lsurbecks book on sips so i feel confident it should work, as long as the siding crew works with us. I am installing the standing seem roof on battens and counter battens. This is the best way i have found although it is more costly. Gives 2 inchs of airspace under the metal. I will try and post photos. thanks michael this was fri march 19