Thank you for picking my Forum tip. I am fairly early in the process, just finishing with the planning. I have taken your advice and planned till I couldn't plan any more. I hope it goes smoothly. The bank was very impressed with the proposal we put together. I also wanted to say how helpful your site has been. Thanks for the great site. Steve D., Silver Spring, MD

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



Image from Eric's blog

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Utilities

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 10/6/2009

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.

Posted by Mary in PA on 10/7/2009 Mary's Forum Posts: 101 Journal Entries: 60 Interview Answers: 15 Average Forum Rating: 4.17 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
Posted by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 10/7/2009 Eric's Forum Posts: 3 Journal Entries: 32 Interview Answers: 170 Average Forum Rating: 3.75 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.
Posted by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 10/7/2009 Eric's Forum Posts: 3 Journal Entries: 32 Interview Answers: 170 Average Forum Rating: 3.75 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.
Posted by Mary in PA on 10/7/2009 Mary's Forum Posts: 101 Journal Entries: 60 Interview Answers: 15 Average Forum Rating: 4.17 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.

Exterior Pix

Posted to ICF-Keller-Tx by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 8/22/2008

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!

Posted by Ben in Galloway Township, NJ on 9/28/2008 Ben's Forum Posts: 12 Journal Entries: 17 Interview Answers: 36 Average Forum Rating: 3.45 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?

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

• recommended_contractors.pdf

Posted by Angela in Fort Worth, TX on 7/17/2009 Angela's Forum Posts: 21 Journal Entries: 11 Interview Answers: 64 Average Forum Rating: 4.00 Angela's Selected Image 7/17/2009

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

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 (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

Posted by Michael Penn in Dripping Springs, TX on 8/26/2007 Michael Penn's Forum Posts: 81 Journal Entries: 55 Interview Answers: 58 Average Forum Rating: 4.01 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 house build, 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

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

Posted by Mike & Carolyn in Smithville, MO on 6/30/2007 Mike & Carolyn's Forum Posts: 6 Journal Entries: 64 Interview Answers: 89 Average Forum Rating: 3.86 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 called 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

Posted by Ben in Galloway Township, NJ on 7/3/2007 Ben's Forum Posts: 12 Journal Entries: 17 Interview Answers: 36 Average Forum Rating: 3.45 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

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 and 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

Posted by George in Wharton, TX on 6/3/2007 George's Forum Posts: 33 Journal Entries: 2 Interview Answers: 63 Average Forum Rating: 3.45 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
Posted by Anonymous on 8/19/2007 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.
Posted by Eric in Roanoke, TX on 8/20/2007 Eric's Forum Posts: 3 Journal Entries: 32 Interview Answers: 170 Average Forum Rating: 3.75 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 qualitystone.com down near Austin, TX.

Family room ceiling is halfway 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 and 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 cabinetmakers have been great. We had some very specific ideas for our cabinets, and they had no problems accommodating. We're really pleased!

Photos