ICF supplier in Florida (southeast)
OK, Frenchy has me convinced to at least research building a project with these things. Actually, I have always wanted to but needed a push. We have a small house project coming up that would be perfect for them.
My problem is finding someone to sell me the blocks with no attachment to have THEM install them! Why is it every distributor must be tied to the installation as well? I know, I know its called “business”. I get it. I just hate when you can’t buy just the materials especially when you are a contractor yourself. Kind of like if you could only buy 2 x 4s from some guy that came and built the house for you and then they were $8. each.
OK, enough of my soap boxing…
Does anyone know a source to buy ICFs direct with no requirement for using their installer? Anywhere in the Southeast would work as I have a truck and can come and get them…
Thanks
Mike
Replies
maybe things are different in your area down theere. Up here the concrete guys usually don't want to use them. that is understandable, given how much investment they have in forms systems.
Our lumber yards didn't want to sell them either at one time, because they are easy to damage in handling so their drivers who are used to throwing lumber around needed special training and sometimes a kick in the behind to learn that you can't do that with these any more than you can throw cabinets and windows off the trucks.
But now things are improving as there is more demand for them, more places are carrying ICFs. It would be nice if the greater demand ends up pulling prices down a bit too after awhile with the greater volumn.
I have beeen able to find them in the past by web searching ICF, then using the manufacturers sites to guide me to their local suppliers, some of which turn out to be duds. Keep trying.
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Same dilemma - I had mine shipped from Canada (Amvic)
Try
http://www.buildblock.com
or
http://www.foxblocks.com
Oak River Mike,
I went to the concrete guys for my forms.. not the guys doing concrete basements but the guys who sell concrete, you might also look up concrete pumping services and talk to them.
Thanks guys.
I found some on-line and then some local but they are $3.00 per sq ft. Still kind of high as block around here is only $1.67. Kind of hard to sell the double cost to folks unless I can stress the hurricane resistance factor as insulation is not an issue here seeing that most of our walls are built with on R5-7 anyway.
Mike
Oak River Mike,
Don't give up yet, locally if you ask you get a high quote but if you work with the rep he's likely to cut you a deal.. I've seen prices as low as 40% off list..
Besides I can put a house together in a few days and pour in another day, how long does it take to build w/block? So there is the time factor. You point out hurricane safety because these are rated for 200 mph winds what's block rated at?
Finally don't poo-poo efficency,, you guys need A/C and the better the insulation the longer it remains cool so the persons energy bill will be lower..