Question:

My wife and I would like to build our home in Ottawa next summer, and I'm convinced that ICF is the way to go. We're just getting the ball rolling, and have been kicking around some design ideas. Having said that, I need some advice. We have an 80' by 160' lot, and we are debating whether to build a bungalow with wide frontage (70' by 40', including garage), or a 2-story with relatively similar square footage (approx 2,400 sf of living space). If we were to build a bungalow, we'd want to use much of the basement as living space, but not if we were to build a 2-storey. Which is more cost-efficient when using ICF? All other things being equal, which would you suggest, and why? I assume there are special architectural considerations when designing an ICF home, can you recommend a few architects experienced in such designs? Are there specific questions you would recommend asking when selecting the architect for our home? Can you recommend a few General Contractors with experience building ICF homes (yourself included, of course)? Are there specific questions you would recommend asking during the selection process? With regards to the 0-7% cost increase that you mention, does that mean 7% more than the total building cost, or 7% more than the price of conventional 2 by 6 framing on poured concrete foundation? Thanks very much for your time, Leo

Answer:

Dear Leo, Sorry for the delay in answering your questions. Thank you. To answer your questions on the design of your new home I suggest that you discuss your needs with an architect. They are in a better position in answering your questions & give you ideas. Although you don’t need an ICF design to build you ICF home. All you need to remember is that you will loose 5 inch per side on your new home. If you decide to go the ICF route, we can provide you with generic engineering details that apply to your project for your building permit application. All of the feedbacks that we are getting from our clients are that they would not build or move into another conventionally built house. The 0 – 7% total cost is on the overall of the house. Again, this is base on our customer’s feedback. So far IntegraSpec won multiple awards on the most energy efficient homes nationwide plus a multitude of other awards. These awards are a due to a combination of our ICF & good set windows & doors. These houses supercede R-2000 specs by up to 45 % & conventional construction by 65%. Following are a couple of good General Contractors: - Alain Pilon Construction Contact name: Alain Pilon Cel : 613-863-6476 - Jyll Consulting Contact name : Yvon Lavallee Tel: 613-837-8700 Following are a couple of Architect: - Luc Lavoie Arch. Contact : Luc Lavoie Tel : 613-443-4361 - Andre Theriault Tel: 613-443-5263 Please feel free to contact me at the number below for any question(s) you may have. Warmest regards, Marc Philippe EMM Group 2743 Dunning Rd. Sarsfield, ON K0A 3E0 Tel: 613-835-2600 Fax: 613-835-3227 E-mail: emm@wass.ca Web page: www.integraspec.com / www.wass2.com

Answered By: Marc Philippe

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