I want to say is that if you do plow through old posts, that this forum and That Home Site has been the most useful to me - but it goes both ways - post questions and answers (things you have read etc..) to get relevant topics going. I have also met another O-B through the Connections on this website and they are building locally and we have hit it off and are sharing all our info - that has been really applicable and fun to experience the same issues, 'be in the same boat' so to speak. by Kari from Spokane, WA

Eric's Forum Posts: 3
Journal Entries: 32
Interview Answers: 170
Average Forum Rating: 3.75
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Utilities

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 10/6/2009 1:59:48 PM

METER READING	DAYS IN BILLING	KWH
DATE	CYCLE	USAGE
8-Sep-09	33	3600
6-Aug-09	28	3008
9-Jul-09	31	3546
8-Jun-09	32	2384
7-May-09	30	1544
7-Apr-09	28	1177
10-Mar-09	29	1295
9-Feb-09	31	1329
9-Jan-09	31	1560
9-Dec-08	32	1427
7-Nov-08	30	1507
8-Oct-08	29	2100
9-Sep-08	33	3058

Electric Usage over last 12 months.

Mary's Forum Posts: 64 Journal Entries: 20 Interview Answers: 15 Average Forum Rating: 4.10 Send Private Message Image from Mary's blog 10/7/2009	Eric, thanks for posting the data. Are you happy with the numbers? Also, I was wondering about what the 'deliverables' were from the Energy Wise Structure folks you worked with. If I plan to do a 2x6 (quality) frame construction on about 2000 sq 2-story, do you think a service like Energy Wise is still worth it? Thanks! Mary
Eric's Forum Posts: 3 Journal Entries: 32 Interview Answers: 170 Average Forum Rating: 3.75 Send Private Message Image from Eric's blog 10/7/2009	Yes we are happy with the numbers. Our house is @5500sf and our largest bill was $390.  Energywise gives you estimates on what your bills would be at current rates with conventional building vs. their techniques.  If you build with stick framing (2x6) they would probably recommend open cell foam in the walls and under the roof decking. They recommend a "closed envolope" concept. This means there is no vents in your attic. They are very big on spending time/money on caulking so you seal your house. Also, because the house is sealed you need fresh air to your fireplaces. All bathroom vents should be vented outside. If your heating system and/or water heater burns some type of fuel it needs a fresh air intake vent and exaust vent to get the exaust out of the house. We mounted our gas tankless water heaters in the garage and vented it through the wall there.
Eric's Forum Posts: 3 Journal Entries: 32 Interview Answers: 170 Average Forum Rating: 3.75 Send Private Message Image from Eric's blog 10/7/2009	Sorry for getting off point. Energywise gives you the estimates on your bills. It also gives you things you need to do to get those bills...like caulking, what efficience of HVAC, what kind of windows, etc...    They also give you a HVAC specification that your A/C person can use to install the unit. This is important because if you build with a "closed envelope" the AC sizing will be significantly lower than normal A/C sizing. For example...in Texas our house probably would be 12 tons of AC...we have 6.5 tons. This is to ensure that the units run long enough to get the humidity out of the house. I tried to get multiple A/C people to estimate installing the system for us and they would not because they could not believe we could cool our house with only 6.5 tons. Another thing I forgot to mention was that we keep our house 72/73 probably year round. Most people I know in Texas during the summer bump theirs to 78  to save on A/C bills.
Mary's Forum Posts: 64 Journal Entries: 20 Interview Answers: 15 Average Forum Rating: 4.10 Send Private Message Image from Mary's blog 10/7/2009	Thanks for the info - it's great that you're getting such good energy/cost efficiency with your new house. I will definitely call the Energy Wise company to get a feel for the pricing on their services.

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Exterior Pix

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 8/22/2008 12:07:53 PM

Here are a few shots of the finished exterior.  (Well, mostly finished but I won't point out what still needs to be done.)

Photos

Energy-Efficient Structures

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 8/20/2008 10:01:45 AM

Energy Wise Structures helped us correctly size our HVAC for our closed-envelope structure. They can be found at: energywisestructures. Contact them while designing your house. They will help with suggestions about wall material, HVAC, etc. When you have your complete floor plan, they will size your HVAC and tell you how much your heating and cooling costs will be per month. They also give you a cost comparison on how much savings you will have versus traditional building materials.

For example, our house with bonus room would be 5,500 sf. Most AC guys would size that @10-12 tons of AC. We are very comfortable with two units at 6.5 tons. All our ductwork was sized by the Energywise folks, so our AC guy just had to install what they recommended. Our heating/cooling has been below the $190/month that the Energywise people stated. That amount however does not cover other electrical loads such as lighting, appliances, etc... just HVAC!

Ben's Forum Posts: 12 Journal Entries: 17 Interview Answers: 36 Average Forum Rating: 3.36 Send Private Message Image from Ben's blog 9/28/2008

That is great to hear!  I have been wondering if I should contact them for the ICF house that we are going to build.  what did you get back from them?  You mentioned that they sized your systems and ducts.  Did they provide you with the mechanical drawings for your ductwork as well?

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Landscape Design

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 6/2/2008 9:55:13 PM

Recommended Contractors

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 4/9/2008 9:08:22 AM

Work/Supplies	Company	Name	Phone
A/C	Goowin A/C	Jim	817-938-3477
Cabinets	Olin Piper Cust Cabinets	Olin Piper	817-489-2029
Culture Marble Countertops	Nor-Tex Kitchen & Bath		940-320-8815
Dirt work	Duty Dirt	Rodger Bridges	940-627-4516
Doors/Windows	Nix Door and Window	Brian Sooter	817-920-9221
Electrical	Cornerstone Elec. Services	John	682-438-7060
Finish Work/Trim	Grey Brothers Trim	Earl Grey	940-391-3042
Fireplaces	Fort Worth Door	Ray	817-925-3720
Flooring	Creation Carpet	Richard  Courchesne	682.553.3274
Foundation Engineering and soil testing	Whitworth Engineering		817-236-6106
Foundation/Driveway	Lampman Concrete	Bill Lampman	817-980-8050
Framing	Rodway	Rod Woody	817-925-4927
Garage Doors	Family Christian Doors	Brandon	817-903-8084
Granite Countertops	Century Granite and Marble		817-329-9499
ICF Installers	ICF Constructors	Matt	832-264-6282
Landscaping		Toby	817-692-2029
Lumber	Fort Worth Lumber	Tom	817-994-4079
Metal Roof Supplies	Mueller metal Buil and Roofs	Chad	817-441-1120
Mirrors	Fashion Glass		817-232-3421
Open Cell Foam Insulation	Korbin Foam	Jim	817-793-3529
Septic System	Aero Valley Septic	Brandon	817-491-9142
Stairs	Trinity Stairs		972-335-0700
Stonework labor only		Miguel	817-726-8214
Tile Work	Shannon Tile	Chad Shannon	817-891-3342

Files

Angela's Forum Posts: 21 Journal Entries: 11 Interview Answers: 64 Average Forum Rating: 4.00 Send Private Message Angela's Selected Image 7/17/2009

Thanks so much for this list!! I have been looking for something like this. :) Angela

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Irrigation system

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 8/7/2007

Our irrigation system and landscaping are in.  The irrigation system is called KISSS (www.kisssusa.com).  It is a capillary system that waters at the roots instead of on top of the plants and only uses 20% of the water used by a traditional system.

Photos

Michael Penn's Forum Posts: 81 Journal Entries: 55 Interview Answers: 58 Average Forum Rating: 4.02 Send Private Message My Construction Website Michael Penn's Selected Image 8/26/2007	Hi Eric, Glad to see a new post from you. I've started getting cabinet bids on my housebuild, and I was hoping to get a bid from your cabinetmaker--when we visited your house i was impressed with all the cabinets you were getting for the money.  I'd appreciate it if you could email me his contact info. thanks, Michael Penn Smith (Michael Penn in Dripping Springs, TX)
Ed's Forum Posts: 0 Send Private Message Randomly Selected Image 10/27/2007	Eric, I'm looking into building an ICF home, would it be possible to see yours? I live in Aledo. Thanks, Ed Faciszewski

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Slowly but surely!

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 6/27/2007

Tiling is almost complete, there is still a little bit of tile to be installed and then some sealing to be done.  Hopefully that will wrap up by next week.  The hardwood floors are being stained and finished this week, so there's not too much activity to prevent dust from being kicked up.  Most of the fixtures are in, too.  The wood ceiling has also been finished.  It sure seems like the home stretch takes forever, but I think we're starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel... or is that just a can light?

Photos

Mike & Carolyn's Forum Posts: 6 Journal Entries: 63 Interview Answers: 86 Average Forum Rating: 3.67 Send Private Message Image from Mike & Carolyn's blog 6/30/2007

Wow, I love your home!  You have so many personal and custom items.  I hope we can add as many great touches.  I had some questions I hoped you could help me with but could not figure out how to email this to you... I hope you see it.  We too are doing a metal roof over an eyebrow on our garage and the porch of our main house.  I am struggling with the color options.  I really like how yours fits in with your home.  Did you know from day one or just jump in with both feet?  I really think I want the burnt red color, but everyone tells me to "go safe" with a neutral brown.  Part of the purpose of the different roof was for it to stand out so I hate to play it safe, but don't want to make an expensive mistake either.  How did you decide? Who did you get your front door from?  It's stunning. I planned the same style of ceiling in my kitchen (I think it was your kitchen, could have been your first floor, wood ceiling) but was wondering if it would create an issue with noise since there are so many hard surfaces in the kitchen... Floor, countertops etc.  Have you noticed an increase in the noise? You mentioned you did your own floors... any advice you could share before we start... handy but never laid hardwoods before and have a ton to do. Did you do all your own cabinets or contract it out?  Looks like you had a ton and all beautiful! Anything you could share would be appreciated, I have to make a color pick on the roof and get it ordered, we have the main roof on, which is call weathered wood color (more black than brown, if you ask me) but we don't have any pictures with the roof on published yet.  Blog is called Homestead.  Thanks so much and your home looks so well thought out and just perfect!  Hope we can do half as well. Carolyn and Mike in Smithville, MO

Ben's Forum Posts: 12 Journal Entries: 17 Interview Answers: 36 Average Forum Rating: 3.36 Send Private Message Image from Ben's blog 7/3/2007

Eric, Your house looks gorgeous!  I am also building in ICF, but all the way from basement up to right under the roof.  Can you tell me what ICF system you used?  We are leaning towards BuildBlock (mainly because they publish their prices on their website and let you estimate how much you need in forms, concrete, and rebar), but are open for suggestions. Did you use local cabinetmakers and is that all solid wood? Congratulations with finishing your house.  I have been following your progress for some time and cannot wait 'til we get to follow in your footsteps! Ben

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Painting is almost done!

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 6/5/2007

Well, the painters thought they'd be done last weekend but it's taking a little longer.  We do have a lot of different colors, patterns, and things though.  Can you tell which room belongs the the three-year old little girl? :0)  Most of the first floor doors and windows are still taped up, so some of the pictures are pretty dark.  The bathroom vanity countertops are in, and the kitchen countertops are being installed right now.

Photos

Permanent doors & finished ceiling.

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 6/1/2007

We finally finished the ceiling and the permanent doors are in.  The painters will be finishing up this weekend.  At the end of our project, we will post a list of all the subs we recommend as well as other resources.  Please check back regularly.

Photos

George's Forum Posts: 33 Journal Entries: 2 Interview Answers: 63 Average Forum Rating: 3.39 Send Private Message George's Selected Image 6/3/2007	Thanks for sharing the photos, they have been very helpful in our own planning.  You guys make it look too easy.  George
John's Forum Posts: 2 Journal Entries: 2 Interview Answers: 2 Average Forum Rating: 4.00 Send Private Message John's Selected Image 8/19/2007	Love the house. I was wondering what brand of exterior stone veneer is on the house. It looks great. Excellent execution on the house. It looks unique, and has a ton of character. I have seen so many houses as of late that have a generic feel to them, even if they are expensive. Yours in not one of them. Well done.
Eric's Forum Posts: 3 Journal Entries: 32 Interview Answers: 170 Average Forum Rating: 3.75 Send Private Message Image from Eric's blog 8/20/2007	Thanks for the comment. The stone is actually real stone. After checking the costs veneer was going to cost the same as real stone so we went with the real stuff. We got all our stone from Quality Stone http://www.qualitystone.com/ down near Austin, Tx.

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Family room ceiling is half way there!

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 5/17/2007

So far there have only been two of us installing the ceiling, so it's been a little slow.  Today we have plenty of help though, so we should be wrapping it up in no time.

Photos

Trim carpenters and hardwood floors.

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 5/11/2007

The trim carpenters are well underway.  Much of the trim is up and the closets are done.  We're still waiting on some of the trim and doors which has slowed progress, but hopefully that will be resolved soon.  The hardwood floors are finally done too.

Photos

Cabinets complete & hardwood floors are underway.

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 4/29/2007

The last kitchen cabinet is in and most of the cabinet trim is complete.  We've started the hardwood floors.  We're making progress but it is SLOW.  This is the biggest job that we've undertaken ourselves, but it's worth it.  They look really nice.

Photos

Kitchen cabinets are in!

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 4/25/2007

The kitchen cabinets were installed this week.  There is still a little trim work and one cabinet still to come.  Our cabinet makers have been great.  We had some very specific ideas for our cabinets and they had no problems accommodating.  We're really pleased!

Photos

Kid's & guest's bath tub surrounds

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 4/23/2007

I finally remembered to take my camera when there was enough light to get some decent pictures of the shower surrounds.  The last of the cabinetry was delivered today --installation begins tommorrow.  Hardwood floor installation has also begun.  Trim carpenters will start as soon as the trim arrives.  It's all coming together!

Photos

George's Forum Posts: 33 Journal Entries: 2 Interview Answers: 63 Average Forum Rating: 3.39 Send Private Message George's Selected Image 4/25/2007

Nice job.  That's a lot of house for only 5 months of contruction.   I like the random placement of the green tile.  Who thought of that?

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Stairs, tub surrounds & more cabinetry

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 4/16/2007

The stairs and tub/shower surrounds are done.  It was too dark to get pictures of all of them, so there will be more to follow.  Today more cabinetry went in -- the entertainment center, master bath, and some of the master closet.  The kitchen should be done soon, and that will finish up the cabinetry.

Photos

George's Forum Posts: 33 Journal Entries: 2 Interview Answers: 63 Average Forum Rating: 3.39 Send Private Message George's Selected Image 4/19/2007	Looking good Eric.  Did you guys do a room by room and trade by trade description like the book talks about?   We are in the process of doing our notebook and room descriptions, we are interviewing a designer next week.
david's Forum Posts: 1 Average Forum Rating: 4.00 Send Private Message Randomly Selected Image 4/19/2007	Looking good Eric! Sorry I haven't stopped by but I've seen the great progress that you've made on the outside the few times that I've driven by. How expensive are those knotty cabinets? I'm debating replacing my kitchen cabinets and was wondering if it would be cheaper to have someone build them vs buying pre-made ones?
Eric's Forum Posts: 3 Journal Entries: 32 Interview Answers: 170 Average Forum Rating: 3.75 Send Private Message Image from Eric's blog 4/24/2007	Hey Trey,       yes we did a room my room trade by trade description. That helped us think about what we needed in each room!
Eric's Forum Posts: 3 Journal Entries: 32 Interview Answers: 170 Average Forum Rating: 3.75 Send Private Message Image from Eric's blog 4/24/2007	Hey David,      thanks for the help with the wood floors. We shall be working on those for a few weeks I fear. The cabinet maker is Olin Piper, his number is cell: 817-296-3128 .   The kitchen cabinets were dropped yeasterday and they are installing them today.

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Front exterior pictures

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 4/8/2007

The chimney is almost done.  At this point the exterior is almost complete -- we still lack shutters, permanent doors and a few areas still need metal roof.

Photos

Sheetrock, texture, masonry, etc.

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 4/6/2007

Drywall and texture have been completed.  Currently the masons are working on the exterior.  (More exterior pictures to follow.)  And the cabinetmaker has started installing cabinetry.

Photos

Frame and Foam

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 3/20/2007

Here are some shots of the inside of the house framing and the Demalac foam as it is being installed on the underside of the roof decking.

Photos

Roofing going on!

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 1/25/2007

The roofers have been drying-in the house and now the HVAC, electricians, and plumbers are going to work.

Photos

George's Forum Posts: 33 Journal Entries: 2 Interview Answers: 63 Average Forum Rating: 3.39 Send Private Message George's Selected Image 3/20/2007

All I can say is "WOW!"

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Framing complete, decking done

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 1/10/2007

Well it has been a long time since we have made an entry... the framers are finished.

Photos

david's Forum Posts: 1 Average Forum Rating: 4.00 Send Private Message Randomly Selected Image 1/25/2007

That's a LOT of house! :) I stopped by the other day while the framers were still at it but you weren't around. It's really shaping up! What's next, the plumbing and electrical?

Eric's Forum Posts: 3 Journal Entries: 32 Interview Answers: 170 Average Forum Rating: 3.75 Send Private Message Image from Eric's blog 1/25/2007

Thanks David. Yes we did not think it was going to look this big but when the roof went on it now looks huge. HVAC, Electricians and plumbers should be finishing up next week. The asphalt roofing should be finish by the end of the weekend. We are putting metal roofs on the proches. I love that cedar-siding we got from buffalo-lumber.com . I think we are actually 1 week ahead of schedule right now! More pictures to follow.

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ICF Pour Day Pictures

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 12/9/2006

Pictures from the day we poured concrete into the ICF forms.

Photos

Mary's Forum Posts: 14 Interview Answers: 23 Average Forum Rating: 3.39 Send Private Message Randomly Selected Image 2/23/2007	Did you have any vent pipes put into the ICF wall?  We have two toilets on exterior walls with windows over the toilets.  I'm wondering what we will have to do for the vents.
Eric's Forum Posts: 3 Journal Entries: 32 Interview Answers: 170 Average Forum Rating: 3.75 Send Private Message Image from Eric's blog 2/23/2007	Yes we did have some vent stacks in the outside wall though for sinks only. Basically the plumber stubbed up the vent to where it would be inside of the foam towards the inside of the house. They only stubbed them out about 1' and capped them. After the ICF was poured the plumbers finished routing to the top plate.

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ICF walls are complete

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 12/8/2006

The guys from ICF Constructors made quick work of the ICF walls. They started on Monday at 10:30 and finished pouring Thursday night.

Photos

ICF Day 1

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 12/5/2006

Our ICF blocks came in last Saturday. Matt and his ICF Constructors crew got here Monday morning from Houston and started popping chaulk lines. Once that was complete, they glued the first two rows of blocks down while one of his guys and I made window and door bucks. Unfortunately, the rebar did not show up today so tomorrow they will insert the rebar and start moving up to the 10' height.

Cables are in and the slab is poured

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 11/30/2006

The plumbers and electrician got the stuff in the pad quickly. We got our pad poured, 174 yards, right before the big freeze hit the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The guy with the white shirt and his hands up is my buddy Mike, who is our GC.

Photos

Form Boards are up

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 11/16/2006

Lampman Concrete got the form boards up and are drilling the piers.

Photos

V's Forum Posts: 1 Average Forum Rating: 4.00 Send Private Message Randomly Selected Image 3/24/2007

can't tell from your most current photos but would you mind giving sq footage for your first floor and how many piers poured for your home? Would love to do what you did and be building on some acres but we are fairly young empty nesters and my husband does not want more than half acre or so to take care of ...we are hoping to have house built in new subdivision in Keller just S off Mt. Gilead ourselves-- did you have trouble finding your land--how many acres do you have? Looks like some nice trees in back of house...

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Let the dirt work begin.

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 11/9/2006

Rodger and the Duty Dirt crew is here tearing our place up.

Photos

Septic System is in!

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 11/9/2006

   Well the septic system is in and tied to the old house.

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Building permits finally!

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 11/1/2006

We have the go from the city to pull our permits after their review. Septic guy, Brandon, should be starting any day now while the dirt work begins also. We will be digging a pond at the low point in our property to get enough dirt to build the pad.

Michael Penn's Forum Posts: 81 Journal Entries: 55 Interview Answers: 58 Average Forum Rating: 4.02 Send Private Message My Construction Website Michael Penn's Selected Image 11/1/2006	Just wondering, did you encounter any resistance at your lender to being an owner-builder (in Texas).  Several of my preliminary discussions with banks they've said that you can't receive a construction loan as an owner-builder in Texas, and must have another person as the contractor, or at least the "contractor of record".
Eric's Forum Posts: 3 Journal Entries: 32 Interview Answers: 170 Average Forum Rating: 3.75 Send Private Message Image from Eric's blog 11/1/2006	We have a friend who used to work for a national builder that registered as a builder in Texas and is serving for the bank's purposes as the GC.

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Building permits and financing in process

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 10/22/2006

We have filed our permit application with the city and the construction loan is being appraised. The cooperative did show up and put some new poles in for the new house. It's our unofficial groundbreaking!

Photos

david's Forum Posts: 1 Average Forum Rating: 4.00 Send Private Message Randomly Selected Image 10/28/2006	I live in Keller and that lot looks familiar to me! Isn't that located in Keller near Mt. Gilead road ?
Eric's Forum Posts: 3 Journal Entries: 32 Interview Answers: 170 Average Forum Rating: 3.75 Send Private Message Image from Eric's blog 10/30/2006	Yes it is!
david's Forum Posts: 1 Average Forum Rating: 4.00 Send Private Message Randomly Selected Image 10/31/2006	I own 1 acre further North on Roanoke Rd just past the new Tuscany development. It's currently for sale because I don't think I can afford to build the home I want. Are you the GC on your project or are did you hire a GC and just plan on doing some of the work yourself? I'd love to pick your brain on the costs associated with building your own home. I'd even be willing to give you a hand when you need it!
Eric's Forum Posts: 3 Journal Entries: 32 Interview Answers: 170 Average Forum Rating: 3.75 Send Private Message Image from Eric's blog 11/1/2006	David, thats awesome! We cannont be our own GC because we need a loan but a friend of mine who is also a building inspector and been building houses since I have known him in high school is our GC. He is really interested in the energy saving technologies we are using like ICF and Demalac Foam. Whats your email and we can converse more.
david's Forum Posts: 1 Average Forum Rating: 4.00 Send Private Message Randomly Selected Image 11/1/2006	I'm also interested in how the ICF's workout for you and the cost associated with it here in the Dallas area. My Email is :  umustbedreaming@charter.net

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Platting and grading plan... DONE

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 10/9/2006

Well, we are getting close to the big day. Our platting has been filed and the grading plan finished. We just need to get some final bids for the dirt work, get the bank approval and we are pulling permits! I guess it's time to do some negotiating with subs and get the bottom line down!

In the platting process

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 9/9/2006

We have completed our survey work and now the property is going to the city for platting. The grading engineer will be getting the cad file from the surveyor, so he will begin the grading and drainage report required by our city. I have attached the elevations to the journal.

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Patti and Jay's Forum Posts: 7 Interview Answers: 59 Average Forum Rating: 4.13 Send Private Message Randomly Selected Image 9/10/2006

Eric, we are new to this site, as we are trying to get an ICF house started in East Texas.  May we pick your brain just a minute? What ICF system are you using, and are you doing it yourself, or are you using a contractor?  Did you have any difficulty finding an architect to draw up plans for an ICF home?   We ask these questions because no one here in good old deep East Texas has ever heard of ICF and few are willing to try anything new, so we will either have to do the bulk of it ourselves, or import someone.  Even the architects here locally balk at anything different,  and try to steer us to 'stick built', arguing that we won't live long enough for the house to fall down, anyway.    Thanks for any input, Patti and Jay Webb, Uncertain, Texas

Eric's Forum Posts: 3 Journal Entries: 32 Interview Answers: 170 Average Forum Rating: 3.75 Send Private Message Image from Eric's blog 9/11/2006

Hey Patti and Jay,  we are going to use one of three blocks that have been recommended from a ICF contractor so that if we do it ourselves we would have good chances of doing a good job. They are Nudura, Build Block, and Ambic. My wife and I took the local Nudra class for $75. It was very informative and helped us relize we could do it ourselves if we needed to. As far as the architect, i just told my architect to make the outside walls 12" thick and that was the end of that conversation. With ICF wall a couple of things to plan for ahead of time:          - dont make small walls between windows and doors...if you have several windows together make 1 big buck because it hard to make a 4" wide concrete wall         - try to put your washer/dryer not on the exterieor wall As for the comment the architect made about the house falling down, I dont know if you get tonados there in east texas as much as we do here but I want to be the little piggy in the concrete house! Another good point about ICF is engery effieciency, with ICF walls and blown in foam under the roof decking your house can be more efficient than any stick exterior house. I have tons of info if you are initerested. Shoot me a email to eric@ldsllc.net   Regards, Eric

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Started our journal

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 8/27/2006

We started our building journal.

Landon's Forum Posts: 0 Send Private Message Randomly Selected Image 9/1/2006

I live in Colleyville and am going to start building next year.  I look forward to seeing how your home progresses.  Maybe I learn a few things.  Good Luck!

Danny's Forum Posts: 9 Journal Entries: 46 Interview Answers: 97 Average Forum Rating: 4.13 Send Private Message Image from Danny's blog 9/8/2006

Eric, Congrats on starting your ICF house.  My husband Danny and I have been at ours about 2 months now.  Feel free to check out our journal for any ideas that would help you.  We've really enjoyed the experience.  Today they are finishing the roofing tresses and now its looking like a real house.  Look forward to following your progress. Sherry and Danny Storey http://www.ownerbuilderbook.com/blogs/users/CircleS.aspx

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