I am looking for advise or stories from contractors who are new to ICF construction. Are you building your first ICF home? Or have you built one or two? How did it go? Did subs or inspectors give you a hard time? I want to build with ICFs, but there no crews in my area with experience. All the manufacturers say ICFs are so easy to use, but I want to hear it from someone who is actually just trying it out.
Lisa

Hi Lisa,

Did you get your questions about ICF Construction answered?

I built my ICF home about 4 years ago and was the general contractor. I love my ICF home, but there are some important things to consider then using this method of construction.

If you would like more detail, I would be happy to assist.

Jim

Jim ~

I'd like to know more about some of those considerations.
Please share if you have time.

GM

I'd like to hear what Jim's concerns are also. The only thing I found of concern with this building method is with termites and insulated foundations.

As a EIFS inspector I see this building product used a lot. It does go up quite quickly however the person putting it togeather must relize that when the cement is put in the blocks they must take their time or a blow out will occur. You must have complete scaffolding set up to allow the mason to pour the entire wall. They must be able to walk all around the foundation and wall areas freely and that the pumper can reach them. Make sure the cement trucks are ready to go as well. Use plenty of rebar to increase the strength of the wall system. The ICF supplier should be able to assist you in providing crews that know how to do this job.
As far as termites all homes can get them. The foam only makes it more likely. Proper preventive treatments before and after backfill should prevent any issues there. Also you must sheetrock the interior exposed foam walls in the basement for fire safety. Proper planning for electical wires, plumbing openings, window openins etc are also important. Again the ICF supplier should provide assistance in this area.

This is a copy of post from 3/28/08
Please read and learn!
Posted 28 March 2008 04:45 PM
When we decided to use ICF as the method of building our walkout basement walls we researched several ICF system manufactures. On the Internet Eco-Block, LLC seemed to be the most experienced and boosted the best system. Eco-Block, LLC refered us to one of their highly trained expert installer/distributors for our area. After interviewing and being shown several projects claimed by the Eco-Block expert we selected their bid for our job. The job was a disaster. As it turned out, none of the jobs shown us had actually been performed by these people, in fact ours was their first job.
Eco-Block, LLC did not want anything to do with this problem and said that they were not responsible in any way for the misrepresentation, lies or performance of an independent ECO-BLOCK, LLC CERTIFIDED DEALER/INSTALLER. We have spent over $100K in repairs and litigation fighting these frauds and criminals. Eco-Block, LLC did nothing to help us eventhough they were responsible for recommending these fraudulent EXPERTS.
This practice of certifying someone as an expert after they attend a one to three day siminar / slideshow of how to be an Eco-Block Dealer is irresposible and will continue to cuase honest people seeking a better building system their savings and their homes. BEWARE OF ECO-BLOCK, LLC DISTRIBUTORS!!>

quote:

Originally posted by juwayyidmom:
I am looking for advise or stories from contractors who are new to ICF construction. Are you building your first ICF home? Or have you built one or two? How did it go? Did subs or inspectors give you a hard time? I want to build with ICFs, but there no crews in my area with experience. All the manufacturers say ICFs are so easy to use, but I want to hear it from someone who is actually just trying it out.
Lisa

Building with ICF's is not as easy as the manufactures make it sound. I recently put a SIP's roof on an ICF house. The builder that did the ICF's for the foundation and walls was a hack. The walls were not properly supported while they were being filled and the walls had bows along most sides. including one wall which was 3" out of plumb. This impacted all of the other components that came after. The roof, the doors needed to be shimed out to make them plumb. This added huge costs to the home. Also the things the icf guys don't tell you about when considering this option. Thinker walls mean larger extention jambs on all your windows and doors. If you want your door to open in it will have to be modifed as door manufacturers don't offer 12" jambs. Also the siding being installed on the exterior walls can be a hassle. In the case of the home I recently finished the white cedar shingle siding needed to have strapping screwed into it every 5" around the entire perimeter. I think ICF's are a great way to build, but you must use caution when choosing a contractor. And please be aware of the hidden costs the manufactueres and installers are likely to not tell you about. I will build with ICF's again, but now knowing the obstacles and costs involved will add thousands to the final product.

Tom ecobuilder@aol.com