How Much My 6000sf DIY ICF House Cost

In this video, I answer the question of how much my 6000sf diy ICF house cost. I spent 2 years building my own ICF dream home, and the breakdown of costs is pretty eye opening. I'll be honest, I only recently tallied all of the receipts for my diy ICF home build project. Follow along as I share line item by line item, the breakdown of the costs associated with building my house. ICF home construction doesn't have to be hard and sure is worth all of the efficiency benefits even if the upfront cost is a little more. Put the extra cost into building an energy efficient home, and you will reap the dividends of lower utility cost every single day.
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[@tvdevion6329]

plans $3,415.00 permits $2,527.00 electrical service $6,500.00 icf $26,733.00 lumber $43,960.00 roof and gutters $10,646.00 exterior coverings $14,583.00 plumbing $15,397.00 water well $2,442.00 lagoon $8,100.00 hvac $26,366.00 electrical $9,426.00 solar $10,844.00 concrete+rebar $44,120.00 drywall $27,700.00 paint $4,468.00 cabinets+countertops $26,992.00 insulation $3,151.00 flooring $28,904.00 doors/windows/trim $28,921.00 appliances $1,943.00 misc $13,957.00 rental $12,972.00 driveway+rock $12,000.00 shop $25,000.00 total $411,067.00

[@AhmetMurati]

Thanks

[@GojiCenter]

This is not bad at all. Thanks for this

[@shellderp]

thanks, why would anyone want to spend 15 minutes listening to this spoken out

[@patrickmccarron5059]

Just give us the goop. We can handle it.

[@ILoveAnchovies334]

@@shellderptotes😂. The price is amazing for a 6000 sqft house. if you don’t consider time as a commodity.

[@Joshcodes808]

~65 / sqft - that’s incredible! You’re an inspiration.

[@Challenged1]

I don't know if I'd go that far, but I was pretty shocked when I ran the numbers.

[@jedwheeler2728]

Bro. I have never seen someone break something down into such practical detail, as this video right here. I tip my hat to you man

[@Challenged1]

Thanks for the comment!!!

[@shawncolemusic]

Fantastic job. I built in the same time frame in western Canada. My cost was $175 per sq ft. I did everything but the plumbing/heating (radiant hot water 15 zones 5 bathrooms), Electrical including 150- LED pot lights, drywall and custom built free standing staircase. The house is 4100 sq ft finished, all hardwood floors and ceramic tile, plus multiple covered decks. this cost included 3000 sq ft of paving stones and 140' of retaining walls. and 40K in appliances. Metal roof, hand fabricated Stainless steel gutters etc.

[@Challenged1]

Awesome, thank you for sharing!

[@schoolandstuff7128]

Great inspiration, I stumbled upon your video because I intend on building at least a 4000 square foot ranch diy style. I am pretty well versed in many aspects of home construction, but your video adds extra confidence. I will go back and watch the rest of your videos.

[@Challenged1]

Thanks for the comment, and good luck with your build.

[@TheMarpalm]

Great breakdown. We built 5000ft2. Story and 1/2 - we did all ICF work ourself. Other than ICF we did some painting- everything else was hired out. We did 10ft ceilings downstairs and 9ft up. Came in at $80/ft2. ICF is very doable for a home owner.

[@Challenged1]

Thank you for sharing

[@bkrbb]

Does that mean it cost 400,000$ I apologize for my ignorance I'm advance.

[@TheMarpalm]

@@bkrbb yes- no ignorance on your part. Are you thinking about building?

[@bkrbb]

@@TheMarpalm yes I am! Thank you for the information just trying to get an idea on how much I need to budget for the project. Also trying to figure out what I can do myself and what I will need to contract out.

[@TheMarpalm]

@@bkrbb happy to help if you would like. Can send pictures and lessons learned.

[@ppainterco]

Thanks for sharing the breakdown of costs. I’ve been curious what the costs of an ICF house and what to budget. This was perfect.

[@Challenged1]

You're welcome!!!

[@squeekhobby4571]

Kudos! Can’t say more, this is what is required to keep home prices in check

[@kerryh8er04]

Basically you built my dream house. Your numbers in ICF and geothermal is very helpful. I hope to be building in the next 5 to 10 years.

[@Challenged1]

I'm glad to help.

[@sryth1]

Amazing information; you are a credit to the community for sharing! Looking back, would you do ICF again today?

[@Challenged1]

Thank you and 10 times over, YES!!!

[@perrydekryger9713]

Thanks for this recap. I did almost the exact same thing you did. I recorded every receipt and end up with a folder about 4” thick also. I started the project in Sept. of ‘05 and we moved in in July of ‘07. Our house is slab on grade with polished concrete floors through the whole house. All the exterior walls are made with Reward ICF blocks which went very well. My total per sq.’ cost ended up be just over $66.00/sq.’ Very interesting and just love the house.

[@Challenged1]

Very cool

[@rkalla]

Damn very cool!

[@ToddBizCoach]

Do you have livable basement space? It seems like having two floors with a basement considered as one floor is a great cost saver.

[@craigtalbot607]

Was the house build your day job??? I can’t imagine taking on this project if you’re working full time!! FANTASTIC job! Thanks for sharing the real story !:-)

[@alliancepartitionsystemssa8790]

Great cost analysis for your project. Helps me identify what my estimated cost will be when I build a structure that is about 1/3 the size of your house.

[@agentorange2554]

Me too, we're going for a 36X36 basement and one floor cabin and hoping to come in at 150k. Already have the land also. Fingers crossed.

[@vitaliypro8441]

@@agentorange2554 smaller houses are more expensive per square foot, there is no way around it. Don’t assume 150K will be enough and get actual estimates for all trades and materials, then deduct diy parts. I bet you’ll be around 260K

[@topazfire974]

Thanks man this is prtty informative and appropriate this , Keep us posted for more information. ❤

[@bob_frazier]

Refreshingly open and most appreciated.

[@firearmsstudent]

6000 sq ft house + 1000 sq ft garage + shop = wow that's a lot of house!

[@nonyabusiness1126]

EXTREME value! Well done sir, enjoy...

[@ouricfbuild]

Thats a great plan. Thanks for taking the time to list everything out.

[@DaBuick]

One way I tracked expenses for my rentals was to use a dedicated credit card or checking account to help track expenses.

[@macaw1us]

Enjoyed your Vid, thanks for being honest and throwing the numbers out there. We were going to do a steel structure but ICF is looking pretty fair priced now days

[@Domaco114]

Thanks for sharing not too many out there taking on such large scale project/ investments and then sharing it. Great to know

[@Challenged1]

Thank you for the kind words.

[@brando2818]

Your video is what I'm using to convince my lady about us building our next home within the next couple of years. Very nice explanations. Subbed.

[@Challenged1]

Glad I can help you spend some money ;)

[@keithjanssen8568]

I will be building a DIY ICF house in NM. There was quite a bit of useful information in your videos, Thank You. One thing that I have started is purchasing the ICF bracing (used) and I will be purchasing scaffolding (used) so that I won't incur rental costs on these items. Since it will be a DIY, my timetable will be varied. I am also looking at purchasing a (new) dump trailer for the sole purchase of hauling in materials to the job site. My wife thinks that I am crazy but I believe it is possible to build a good quality house for less than $100 per sft. Our house will only be around 3,500 sft (I think), plans have yet to be finalized.

[@Challenged1]

Sounds like a good plan. Best of luck with your project, and remember to set small, achievable goals each day.

[@joshualruby]

It is definitely possible. If you would like I would be happy to look over your plans and redline them with my concerns of what may cause a hiccup and what could help streamline the process and bring down costs. (My profession is helping homeowners build their own ICF homes). I would be happy to take a quick once over for free as it is hard to find someone with my skillset to do it for you. Just email me if you’re interested: [e-mail]. (I am located in Idaho, in case you’re curious.) And good luck with your build!

[@robthoms2363]

Keith, the ICF supplier that we bought my ICF blocks from...they loan you the bracing when you buy the blocks from them. You should ask your ICF supplier.

[@ppainterco]

I keep coming back to his video and rewatching it. The costs actually seem attractive to me. I just need to muster the courage to take on such a big project.

[@colleenwhitman9040]

The cost is far lower when you are willing to do the work. It’s hard today to buy but there’s LOTS of opportunities and options if you’re willing to believe in yourself! I’m a woman, who had a 9 year old daughter when I mustered the courage to go for my dream of owning my own farm. With only my income I couldn’t afford to buy a farm. But, I knew if I went another route and was willing to work hard I could own that farm someday. I’d saved enough for a down payment on land. Everyone told me I couldn’t do it. But I bought 10 acres on owner contract , and still had rent and living expenses, till I could move on the property. I budgeted like crazy! Over the next year, I rented equipment, dug trenches, installed utilities about 2,500$ ( power,water, phone), a class at the county to put in my septic, gravel, piping, equipment rental about 4,500$, I got a nice free single wide to live in - cost 650$ to move. I blocked it up, strapped it down hooked up the utilities myself. Permits, inspections about 1,200$ It took a year working weekends, holidays, and after work ( I still had a regular job ) to move onto the property into the mobile home. It’s been 15 years, I’ve paid off the property this year! I own it free and clear and now I’m getting ready to build a home (myself again lol) cash as I go ( again) You CAN build your dream house! If I can do it ANYONE can LOL! I’m not big and strong, I don’t work in construction or anything like that. My abilities to understand construction, codes, blueprints, etc are great. But I’m small, not rich and I did it - because I WANTED TO! I hope you do it! All the info is out there.It’s not easy but once you get started it’s way of life. Theres lots of people who’ll guide you on the journey! I pray you take a leap of faith in yourself and go for it soon. I’m sorry my post was long, I just wanted to encourage you, with my story. It wasn’t easy but nothing worth having is.. Good luck to you Paul!!

[@ppainterco]

@@colleenwhitman9040 thank you for the encouragement. My dad and I had a cabinet shop and I’ve swung a hammer on more than a couple of houses. I also worked full time doing programming work in college, which get me 5 years of experience, a paid off car and no debt by graduation. I’m used to doing big, meaty projects and “A project is good for the soul” is saying that I’ve heard. It’s probably why I find this so intriguing. It’s just that as I get older I physically have less energy. Being a general contractor and building a house is a huge, enormous project, but it’s one of my bucket list items.

[@colleenwhitman9040]

@@ppainterco you made me LOL! I know the feeling of less energy and I was definitely younger when I started my project. You sound like a guy that has the background to get it done though. I’d still say don’t doubt yourself, you CAN do it. And there’s a secret I didn’t mention to guarantee success if you choose to go for your dream and it’s essential! You have to break your project down into manageable chunks of ordered progress. Make yourself a “ To Do “ list of how to get it done and start. It gets easier and easier as you go. I go on lots of these videos and read comments and never say anything. I can tell when a person has a chance to do this and those that never will. I hope you take a chance on yourself, you are one of those that CAN do it! It’s easy to find a hundred reasons we can’t do something than find the one way we could do it! Find it, and do it if it’s what you really want!

[@ShannonSmith4u2]

Wow, well done, nice breakdown without boring us to death! Awesome

[@Challenged1]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@modo203]

Congratulations on your project Garrett and for sharing the knowledge with us. It looks beautiful. I've learned about geothermal units from you. Now of course, you've dedicated two years of your life to build this project, and that has to count for something. Also, I believe these costs are approximate. If somebody wants to build the same property in upstate New York or the suburbs of LA for example, they need to understand that the tally will vary dramatically from that of the midwest. great cost analysis and breakdown. Thank you for enlightening us!

[@JAway-ls5oe]

Amazing that you were able to have the land for free a lot of foresight to own a modern home would appreciate a tour

[@rafflesmaos]

That's pretty ridiculous. Labor and material costs in some parts of the country are pointing at $200/sqft min, and lowest I've seen ICF near me is $125/sqft for very bare minimums as far as internal finishes were concerned. Well done!

[@Challenged1]

Thanks!

[@vern0312]

Using your numbers, I'm at 228,760 (finished) for a 3500 sqft home. Average home in my area are about 450k+. Throw in the cost of land and I'm still in the green.

[@Challenged1]

That's great!!! Shop around and find every deal you can on materials. Plus, negotiate with the block manufacturer. They will negotiate!!!

[@kivaunreads4091]

Thank you for the detailed breakdown. Would've been nice to see pictures of everything.

[@kdub4pres]

We're about to start a similar project in Idaho, although probably not using ICFs. Thanks for sharing your cost details. Love the videos!

[@Challenged1]

Thanks

[@futanarimouto]

Your video breaking down costs is very much appreciated. I am designing a 24*36ft house with an attached mech room maybe 10*10 and a porrch. Trying to get an apples and oranges comparison on cost of icf vs pole barn. I really want a basement so obviously that has me in favor of icf. I think doing as much diy as possible it should be a price within my reach. With any luck I should be starting in the spring of next year. Icf walls and floor. Shed roof icf decking to maximize sunexposure. Should be able to squeeze 10kw solar up there. Maybe even 15kw if disregarding free space reqs, but that's overkill. I figured plaster for interior, giraffe stone on the exterior. Then cheap out on furnishing inside and upgrade over a couple years. Kitchen can be done like a commercial kitchen with steel sink and table, that kind of thing. If planned from the start to easily accommodate the planned upgrades hopefully it works out. It the meantime it would mean living in a camper so I'd be highly motivated to get something resembling a livable space ASAP.

[@Challenged1]

You are taking the right approach by building the envelope with energy efficiency in mind. As you stated, you can always upgrade the interior over time, but the exterior will largely remain unchanged. Do it once, do it right!!!

[@OwnYourOwnLifeStyle]

Thank you for sharing. I am new to your Chanel today and went through lots of your video. Very helpful and I am in the process of building my new home next March.

[@Challenged1]

I wish you luck in your build!!!

[@ebonijohnson4442]

I loved this video! So much information and people dont realize the benefits of the being an owner builder!

[@GrayHouseStudio]

Glad I found your channel! The content is great and has answered many of the questions we have about considering ICF. Do you have any concerns about the footings on the clay soil? We are in Houston and the weight has me worried about settling.

[@Challenged1]

Just make the footing wider and deeper with more rebar. Since the whole house is concrete and everything is tied together with rebar, the chance of settlement diminishes. These are just better built homes.

[@GrayHouseStudio]

@@Challenged1 That makes sense. I have received county building permits Friday and going to have a structural engineer do their thing.

[@Challenged1]

@@GrayHouseStudio Good thinking. I made mine 24" wide by 14" deep with 4-#5 bars placed in the bottom third of the concrete.

[@rapierville]

Well done! We're starting a 2,000 ft2 project in Ontario Canada. It will be interesting to see the $/ft2 premium for our more expensive materials/labour.

[@daleyadventures3896]

Holy cow! That is impressive! Thanks for sharing!

[@Challenged1]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@sailingfreakshow]

loving this channel so far. It would be fascinating to see a side by side of your experiences vs someone who did ICF over here in the UK

[@Challenged1]

Thank you for the kind words. I too think that would be an interesting comparison.

[@awesomebase]

For California, take all those numbers and multiply by 6...

[@Challenged1]

I can only imagine

[@briansims8280]

I just build an 1000sf ADU and spent $20k just in permits in San Diego.

[@Ivebeenaroundyouknow]

@@briansims8280 City or County?

[@rafaelmariscal9170]

@@briansims8280 city where I live in California a building permit, development fees, sewer and water connection= $75,000 for a new home. What a bargain lol. In the early 90's it was less than 10K.

[@KerryLange]

Yes, permitting in CA for a house that size would exceed $75k. Want a water connection? Expect another $35k. $2527 for permitting? How quaint.

[@Heel_Of_Yah]

Wow. I’m so glad that I found this channel. You’re doing much of what I’m trying to do! Planning on building my own house within the next 2 years but with SCIP in the PNW. I’m thinking I can get the price down a bit even more with that system 😉

[@rhondawalker5292]

What is SCIP?

[@LtColDaddy71]

Would love to see a tour of the finished product!

[@Challenged1]

Planning to in a future vid.

[@renaissancesouthpaw5774]

Do you have any pictures of the finished project? Exterior? Interior?

[@Challenged1]

@@renaissancesouthpaw5774 Video to come

[@ek9772]

You should title this: 5,400 sq. ft. @ ~$65 per sq. ft. with free garage + free covered 600 sq ft of storage space + free lagoon + free solar + free GSHP + free work shop Very nice job from both of you 👍 You spent good money, and you got a lot in return for this. I hope your video will serve others. Now, you have to find a way to lower those $100 per month, with your proven skills this should be like singing and knitting.

[@Challenged1]

Thanks for the kind words. I have thought about adding more solar panels to compensate, but I want to make sure all of my solar production gets used. I don't want to give away free power during the spring and fall, just to offset the winter/summer bills. Solar video to come.

[@ek9772]

@@Challenged1 one way of doing this is by heating your hot water with dedicated solar PV panels: www.windandsun.co.uk/media/921139/MY-PV-ELWA-Datasheet.pdf techluck.com It requires no additional inverters, charge controllers, or batteries, and it works when the grid is down. The GSHP will produce hot water (I am guessing) summer and winter. PV solar works all year, and it can be sized to provide a portion or all your hot water. In addition, since it involves no inverters it usually requires no permits, and the PV solar with inverters is better used for electrical house loads.

[@Challenged1]

@@ek9772 At this point, I'm not sure I could fish the lines through the finished walls to get to the roof. Great idea though. I do have desuperheaters in my geothermal system, of which I haven't hooked up yet.

[@ek9772]

@@Challenged1 I am afraid that I failed to convey the idea correctly. This is a separate, independent solar array. Since you already have a means to produce some thermal heat, it is would be a downsized solar array for this purpose. Probably, four to six solar panels of 330 watts each would suffice. They would not be connected to your current inverter or to any inverter. For this reason you do not need to look for the wires of your current installation. The new solar panels would be connected only to a heating element in your hot water tank and nothing else. Unlike your other solar panels, these solar panels have only one purpose. They are to be used ONLY to produce hot water. That is it. However, no power will be sent back to the utility, and I believe this is what you wanted.

[@ek9772]

@@Challenged1 here is grid tied diverter designed to use PV solar surplus energy: myenergi.com/product/eddi/ This is different from the first two products. The first two require a dedicated solar array to provide hot water. This one will work with your current system. The first two might be a better fit based on what I happened to deduce is your current arrangement with your utility company. However, all three products will produce hot water from solar PV.

[@gieselman]

wow. thank you! you're a true DIY''r! Congrats on your build.

[@Challenged1]

Thanks

[@moldoveanu8]

Looking to DIY build a combination of poured and block concrete building with rebar reinforcement of course. Your video was helpful. Thanks.

[@palkoenergies7790]

Wow! Good job dude

[@AkiBukikori]

Great video, my number almost close to tours. Thanks a lot.

[@minutemandefense3935]

Awesome video! Very helpful!

[@eliastorres3132]

Hello, Could you make a video on expense reduction during the 2 years you have had the Geothermal and solar systems working and compare it with the average expense you could have in 10 to 20 years without them?

[@Challenged1]

I can sure try.

[@jamesc7383]

Very Helpful....Thanks for the information. Yes lumber prices are sky high. I wish my stocks would take off like the lumber prices.

[@Challenged1]

I hear that!!!

[@tb129tlh]

Great and informative. Thanks Garrett. What state are you in? Also I was glad you said you went GSHP which justifies the HVAC cost. Also, do you think the 5KW Solar helped in conjunction with GSHP? I am curious because I researching between AAC and ICF this time, in conjunction with going solar and GSHP. I used SIP last time, and the gains were pretty awesome. We pay about $0.14/kwh here in Tallahassee in the county area. I am heating and cooling 2600 SF with a 3Ton unit and everything has been great for 9 years, with the bill no higher than $120/month. I know saving will be even more with ICF or AAC. I also used radiant barrier housewrap, solarboard roof decking, and E3 argon gas double-paned windows along with a hybrid water heater.

[@tb129tlh]

Nevermind the location, you just said it at the end. Thanks again!

[@Challenged1]

I know my solar sure doesn't hurt. I just bought the monitor system to see what my production actually is, so will probably have another video on that. Our power cost is roughly $0.10/kwh and on average, we stay around $100/month.

[@andreycham4797]

Nothing can beat SIP

[@tb129tlh]

@@andreycham4797 SIP has been awesome for me but I would still love to do ICF because of being here in FL

[@richardheinen1126]

Thank You for hard numbers!!! Just found you and subscribed

[@Challenged1]

Welcome!

[@oleNemama]

Jambo, Garret. I am full of envious admiration of your superlative DIY ICF project, and seriously contemplating replicating it right here in rural Kenya, East Africa. Would you tell me how many bedrooms and other living spaces your 6000sqM comprises - Perhaps you could share with this African brother your Building Plans, and also consent to let me consult your practical construction experience and knowledge of your Project when my own is eventually in development. Asante - "Thank you'' in Kiswahili.

[@VRtechman]

You should put all of this home building content into a e-book!

[@AngelLopez-ef6zt]

Everything under control, thankfully!

[@waynesanford594]

Maybe I missed it, but it would have been helpful to disclose approximately how many hours of DIY labor went into the project.

[@Challenged1]

I have no idea how many hours. It took me 2 years to build the house, and I did it fulltime. My dad helped some, my sister some and I had a dedicated helper there most of the time. So figure many thousands of hours. Believe it or not, I actually thought I could build this house in one year at the very beginning.

[@waynesanford594]

@@Challenged1 Thanks! I am planning my ICF house in Maine and figured that most of the material costs will be proportional to house size. I guessed 4000 labor hours, based on your 2 year comment and am using a proportion of that times local labor rates for preliminary estimating.

[@accordv6er]

If I do the expensive piddly work, FINISHING the drywall, build my cabinets, floors, electrical/plumbing, etc, set the forms, and pay for the pours and drywall rough in, siding, I think I can get close or knock off another 8-10% relatively speaking. Don't need or want expensive interior finishes, in fact with litedeck, I bet you can do concrete floors. (Also adds heat via floors, more than adequate in my area, and run mini splits where needed, though with a house that "tight" might need some other form of circulation/ventilation. Geotherm is amazing. I think solar is a joke, but if I get the tax credit, and can install it on the roof (literal, like sitting on) deck as pergolas/covers, maybe worth it. I'm thinking simply as possible, first house that is worth keeping, not the last

[@man-observing-world]

It took me a minute to figure out your sitting in a wrap around desk, thought it was the floor 😂

[@Challenged1]

It is an interesting desk

[@Ryan22128]

Got my land ... looking for plans the last 6 months. Did you hire a engineer to edit the plans or did the company you bought them from do it for you? Only reason i ask is because with icf the footings will be alot bigger. Anther question is with the lagoon. Was it a option to work under a professional engineer and dig it out then have them sign it off??

[@Challenged1]

I had the company that I bought the plans from redesign the plans. Since I'm a licensed engineer, I designed my own footings. For the lagoon, my county required a licensed drain layer for the lagoon. They have a list of pre-approved contractors that I was able to go through to find my installer. Unfortunately, I didn't have a choice in this matter.

[@ebonygorum6715]

Very informative. Thank you

[@timothymartin9244]

We are doing something similar, with the exception I have 4 boys between 24 and 20 that are building our self. However we did 1900sq ft. With a 32x26 garage. attaching to a part of an existing house. We have used Menards the same way and also Facebook Market for most of our materials. The 11% has beat most competitors wit a few exceptions as a DIY.

[@Challenged1]

Thank you for sharing. Having that much help must be nice!!!

[@drgarad]

The benefit of having your own soldiers/boys, great job G.

[@TheRealDestro]

WOW! Excellent! Thank you for your work!

[@joshbryant7363]

Awesome. Thanks!

[@Scubaduude]

So that cost per SQFT is what I liked. Thanks. I have 5AC and want to build a ~2600Sqft here in Texas. Your DIY is inspirational but I do not know if I have your skill set. However, I am going to do my homework. Cheers

[@Challenged1]

You will definitely learn as you go, which is what I did. I pre-planned what I could, and then winged it for the rest

[@spreadsheets4life13]

Want to build your house? Check out this spreadsheet - it helps estimate cost/ schedule, and provides a step-by-step checklist. Great for General Contractors or first-time home builders. Purchase here etsy.me/2X7aFiV Tutorial on KZbin: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGLSfIiqd6yqjqs

[@King.s-fire]

Thanks for the info!

[@tammy707]

Amazing! That you so much for sharing your experience and your prices.

[@Challenged1]

You're very welcome!!!

[@LEEandLEEJ]

I missed the photos of the house,. Try to build a house in new england for that cost.

[@DaxxTerryGreen]

Excellent work friend.

[@Challenged1]

Thanks

[@doodleacademy]

Really helpful info...thank you for sharing!

[@Challenged1]

Glad to help

[@scottbehr5690]

when I was installing ICF it was around 15.00 a block...that was contractor price.

[@kenadams3951]

Thanks for the video

[@TheBlacksparkydog]

Garrett this is very interesting. I too live in the Wichita area and am talking with a builder about going the ICF route for our final final house. Since you have been in the house for a bit are there any downsides to ICF or major things you wished you had done differently?

[@Challenged1]

Check out this video that I made. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHrUf4BqfrufaKc

[@TheBlacksparkydog]

@@Challenged1 Garrett that video was very helpful. I'm meeting with a builder out of Newton tomorrow that does ICF. I asked him what type of block he uses and he said Logix since they are manufactured in Haysville, ks. Did you consider Logix blocks on your build? As a newbie, I was just curious and if you had mentioned this in a previous video apologies. Still working to watch more of your content. Thanks!

[@Challenged1]

@@TheBlacksparkydog At the time, I didn't know anyone around here made blocks. Logix is an international brand, so I would hope the quality would be up to snuff. I don't have any personal experience with it though.

[@tjam4229]

How much if you didn’t do any work yourself and had to pay for the land? Basically, how much would the average person have to pay for your end result? Dang…I was hoping for a few photos. Nice job. I’m sure you’re glad that’s “over” (it never is though ;-)

[@Challenged1]

My best guess is add $200k. At one time, I had thousands of photos of the build. Then, my hard drive crashed and became unrecoverable. That was a bad day!!!

[@hazemsider]

Hello, good job, if you were to hair a contractor to do - not DIY- how much would sf run you? Thank you

[@Challenged1]

Probably around $120/sf

[@immortalspirit4ever1]

Thanks for sharing your cost. This information is helpful.

[@Challenged1]

Glad to help

[@lydaelizabethshults3495]

Thank you!

[@hangingoutenjoyinglifewith2268]

Great content 🔥🔥

[@jessebruno1880]

When you said your poured the walls yourself did you have people hired to vibrate the walls on the exterior and or with the vibrator hose as you were pouring it.

[@BrianKrahmer]

my first two houses were ICF foundation, but framed upper floor(s). my self-built costs were about $46-49/ft2. i'm planning my third house for next year which will be nearly all ICF, and for a 3000 ft2 building with 1000ft2 living space and 2000 ft2 of garage and greenhouses, i should be able to finish it for under $125k not including the well or land.

[@Challenged1]

Nice work!!! That sounds like a good plan.

[@kameljoe21]

Are you doing all stucco inside and out?

[@BrianKrahmer]

@@kameljoe21 On the outside, stucco just near the ground, then lap siding. On the inside, conventional drywall...

[@kameljoe21]

@@BrianKrahmer Why did you choose drywall inside?

[@BrianKrahmer]

@@kameljoe21 interesting question. :) i've never considered anything else. i guess you could plaster the interior walls, but it will be hard to find the plastic ties to screw stuff info. door and window trim and things like that become problems. did you do plaster or something as a primary interior surface?

[@timothysellers2994]

Wow. Thank you.

[@shonuff5297]

I was a constrcution manager for an ICF builder for around 8yrs. Its good stuff, but i always wondered about the air being too tight in the long term. I definitely didnt care for that companies way of water proofing it. A few mold growth call backs while I was there. Peel and stick and dimple board with only 3ft of gravel above the footer and form a drain into a sump. The problem I seen was the dirt would grab into the dimple board and pull it down as the earth settled. Anyways I'm in the planning process of building my house and this video gave me great insight in what too look forward to as far as finances. I'm only planning 2000sqft + half basement. Custom, but not high end custom.

[@Challenged1]

Thank you for sharing. I've been running into the dimple board settling as well. It's still functioning like it should, just dropped about 3" or so.

[@shonuff5297]

@@Challenged1 It would probably perform better if it was just vertically slotted material. Then there would be nothing for the soil to grab onto. IMO

[@Challenged1]

@@shonuff5297 I think that's a great idea. It would still allow an airspace to dry out if moisture did get behind it.

[@ronp8899]

Thank you for all the great information. Free land? What do you think it would take to do this in San Diego, Ca? Curious Query😊

[@Challenged1]

With the politics of the area, I don't think you could. The red tape for the plat would take years.

[@barney992]

Bricks in housing made from quarried materials are fire resistant , better sound resistance , sturdier and already have exterior built in . I,d want to compare that and cost to quarried brick and timber construction

[@ViliDer]

Just planning a spring build in southern Canada,2400 sqft. . To contract it out, $220 US per sqft. I hope to get it down to $180. Prices are crazy.

[@Challenged1]

Building material prices are nuts right now!!!

[@robthoms2363]

We are in the middle of our build in southwestern Ontario. If you need any info, just ask. I am subcontracting mine, and I’m at about $330/sq.ft. It all adds up quick.

[@robthoms2363]

That includes the cost of the land though, which was $200k.

[@alhambrick2980]

Good Information. Thank you.

[@hameedtalebi2351]

I liked your video, yet it is better to mention two facts: 1- if you ever bought a house from a builder, they don't include sq.ft of basement for calculating cost/sq.ft. Basement is a lump sum, let's say 30k. Right there your cost per sq.ft would almost double. 2- price and value of your time: How long it took you to do it? and how much you could have earned by working somewhere else? I am sure the answer is not zero. Right? Again, very good video! Koodo!

[@Challenged1]

Good points. 1. I'm looking at it as an appraiser would. 2. I quit valuing my time in money a while back. I don't sell my time for money anymore, so I see things differently than most. Building this house, I not only saved money on the labor I would have spent with others, but I got the experience of building my own house which I see as priceless.

[@johnjackson9235]

@@Challenged1 I feel the same way about me building a 900 sq ft paver patio on the back of my house. I think about it every time I go to the back and sit down.

[@AngelMaldonado-dl6jg]

Awesome. Great breakdown.

[@paulwal222]

Noob here. Why so much for insulation? Shouldn't the ICF blocks come insulated? Also, why did you need so much lumber? Mostly for the roof? Thanks

[@Challenged1]

The insulation costs were for the ceiling. The lumber costs included all of the OSB, interior walls and truss bracing. Big house take lot of lumber!

[@martinuniq2976]

Hey Garrett, great video, may I ask what ICF manufacturer you used?

[@Challenged1]

Buildblock

[@Bluminicoop]

I watched till the end. I am very interested in building my final home (60 years old). On a much smaller scale. Any advice on how to find a builder or approach to get a similar outcome and similar cost for my final home.

[@Bluminicoop]

PS I found you from your Geothermal heat video. Another helpful watch.

[@Challenged1]

@@Bluminicoop The only way to get a similar cost is to do it yourself, and unfortunately, raw material costs are a fair amount higher now than they were when I built. The high demand for houses right now is putting a premium on contractors, so hiring one is going to be very expensive.

[@ILoveAnchovies334]

who the hell needs a 6000 sqft house!? good job keeping costs down, seems like you had A LOT of free time. but go damn that’s a lot of space

[@kirksatterwhite2473]

Hey, great video thanks for sharing your insights and experience. You mentioned a link to the video of how you got your land, but I didn’t see it in the description. I’m really curious and would love to know the story there. Thanks.

[@Challenged1]

Sorry about that, it was in the end screen. I just added it to the description. Thanks

[@scottwebber652]

I diy sheet rock on my 4500’ 3 story. Had the sr delivered n placed where needed. Cost of the sr was $7000 n I did the rest with $500 in tools n another couple hundred for supplies. Got pretty good at it though I didn’t kill my self with speed. Never priced it out but I paid my self well considering. Speed comes from redundancy. Each to its own.but do like the creativity. My biggest expense was insulation tho I did extra but if u did menards it’s gotta b cold eh !!

[@codycampbellcontracting1425]

Were was this house built I built the same house maybe a bit bigger and all of my numbers were quite higher here in Canada wooow good job

[@Challenged1]

Near Wichita, Kansas in the good ole USA

[@Somewhere-In-AZ]

I'm in Arizona. Already discouraged. My well was $13,000. Plans were $8,500. My house is just at 2000 sq ft. It's ridiculous. This year my income tanked, so I'm way behind.

[@Somewhere-In-AZ]

Oh, and HERE you get taxed on how many bathrooms you put in. 😳

[@Challenged1]

@@Somewhere-In-AZ I'm sorry to hear that. Where did you get your plans?

[@donm2255]

My architect charged $2/ft for the footprint of the living area. Garage and basement were included. That is both design and the final construction drawings. Having to do it again, I would decide on a builder, then use their team for the design part. They are better at creating a house that is more efficient to build. My architect was focused on aesthetic not how much it is going to cost to build.

[@pwu8194]

Nice! You just made/saved a bunch of money. You could build and sell one every two years and pay no taxes on profit if you live in it for 2 years.

[@Challenged1]

If only it weren't sooooo muuuuuch woooork! It is a great strategy though for someone more spry.

[@pwu8194]

@@Challenged1 For a married couple, profit upto $500,000 is not taxable. Better than a regular job that would be taxed at least $100,000. You could build two at a time, then live in one for two years, and another for two years while you build more.

[@ssoffshore5111]

@@pwu8194 I'm guessing you haven't tackled a complete build like this before. It's not too bad on paper. By the time you're done, the last thing you'll want to be doing is a few more just like it!

[@timhammond4893]

Hey Garrett! Know anything about Crown ICF products? Looking at a DIY so want something user friendly and strong tech support

[@Challenged1]

I have never heard of it.

[@lastcall8286]

Thank you

[@donm2255]

I'm looking to build my dream home next year. It's about the same size. 3000sqft ranch on a full basement with a 3 car garage, and space under the garage. It's going to be at least $1m to have it built and that is with an unfinished basement. I'll need to live in it at least 10 years before the market value get up to my cost to build.

[@Challenged1]

I hear you. I suppose that's why they call it a dream home. I've advised some folks away from building a home in the past just for that very fact. At least if you know it's your last home, you know you'll be in it long enough to see the payoff

[@donm2255]

@@Challenged1 And it's the only way to get everything you want. There are a lot of handicap features, that I don't need now, but at some point I will need that just don't exist in most existing homes. Simple things like door widths for example. With a lot of very specific wants and needs, custom building is looking more like my only option. I'm curious to see how yours turned out.

[@PatrickMichael2002]

That's very good. Typically $100/ft here depending.

[@Challenged1]

Thanks