Just wanted to say your book has had a huge impact on our plans. We are building a large custom home… and your book convinced us to take on the job as owner-builders! I’ve read through it several times and have gained a lot of confidence from its pages. Mike in Orange County, CA

Tristan's Forum Posts: 7
Journal Entries: 6
Interview Answers: 82
Average Forum Rating: 3.00



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You really have to look hard at prices...

Posted to Tristan-- by Tristan in Lebanon, NJ on 7/25/2008 4:50:35 PM

It's so hard to compare apples to apples when they give you oranges and bananas! I'm planning to go SIPs, then the ICF guy comes in (I'm planning ICF for the basement) and sells me on the idea of whole house ICF! Radiant heating, concrete floors, R-50 equivalent... comparable in pricing? Not quite. I figure SIP costs (built) with a Superior Walls basement at $70,000, and the ICF company comes in at $126,000! I call to complain and forward my highest SIPs estimate to show how far off they are. He's going back to the company to complain about their pricing. I'm not sure what to take from all this... but the frustration continues!

General Contractors

Posted to Tristan-- by Tristan in Lebanon, NJ on 7/10/2008 8:00:45 AM

I hate them. Really hate them. They guilt you, make you feel badly, try and point out all the little details you are going to miss. ARGGHHH! I met with this guy because I had been meeting with him over the past year and liked him -- I had initially thought he would do the house. Now he finally gets back to me with an estimate (apparently, after he heard through the grapevine that I was planning on doing it myself). And he comes in lower than he had initially projected ($335,000 instead of $375,000). So disheartening. Now I have to bang out this job to show him I CAN do this!

Posted by Joe in Hermiston, OR on 7/10/2008 Joe's Forum Posts: 28 Interview Answers: 58 Average Forum Rating: 3.52 Randomly Selected Image 7/10/2008

Tristan,          You go for it and show'em how its done!!!!!

SIPs prices

Posted to Tristan-- by Tristan in Lebanon, NJ on 7/10/2008 6:58:23 AM

Wow! I had no idea how many SIP manufacturers there are. I've been getting emails and calls from all over the country! But the estimates also vary greatly -- so far I've got bids from $15,000 to $30,000, materials only. You definitely, at least with pricing today, do better dealing with the manufacturer and their higher shipping prices. This is one industry that needs a consolidation. The big question now seems to be polyurethane vs. EPS. Poly costs a bit more and provides slightly better insulation. Decision day is tomorrow!

Superior Walls or ICF?

Posted to Tristan-- by Tristan in Lebanon, NJ on 7/4/2008 9:01:11 PM

After meeting with both subs, I have a leaning. Yes, upfront costs will be more than poured concrete walls, but the insulation will save much more over its life. So, besides the fact I didn't like the dismissive attitude of the Superior salesman (again, dismissive to the owner-builder) my research bears out that the longevity of Superior Walls is in question! The caulk that binds the waterproof skin is by no means superior. Will it last past the 15-year guarantee? No guarantee on that. Anyway, $14,000 for 10-ft walls, 24x32 rectangle (addition). Still waiting on the numbers for the ICF, but if it's even close I'm sold! Still can't find a plumber (or an excavator). Contractors are sure hard to find!

The lies!

Posted to Tristan-- by Tristan in Lebanon, NJ on 6/24/2008 3:56:49 PM

Really depressing meeting today with the Superior Walls guy. When he found out I was contracting the remodel myself he started telling me "I was a builder, and you'll never get the prices a builder can." He insisted the GC profit was minimal (10%) and that I should strongly consider going with a GC. I tried to say there were other opinions, but he insisted he was right. Makes me want to move. UGH! Time to call an ICF installer...

Posted by Jeff in Bridgewater, NJ on 9/13/2010 Jeff's Forum Posts: 0 Randomly Selected Image 9/13/2010

Tristan, I saw your posts and was wondering if you went with Superior Walls. I am considering them right now. I was hoping to get your thoughts on them. Would love to hear from you. Jeff Bridgewater, NJ

The Saga begins...

Posted to Tristan-- by Tristan in Lebanon, NJ on 6/22/2008 9:27:49 PM

Frustrated with slow and overpriced contractors, a friend suggested this path and I've found this site! After two years of going through an architect and the variance process, we're only a month away! I'm picking up the building permit application tomorrow. This is a large remodel, so I'm dealing with some different headaches. Pictures of the dilapidated homestead coming soon!