Ask a General Contractor Your Questions

[@Abdullahnayed]

Hi Keith absolutely love your chanel just subscribed and turned on the notification bell on hope to be apart of your next live. My name is Abdullah I am 20 years old and I currently live in Toronto Canada. I really love the construction industry and see how much potential there is, my longterm goal is to own my own business that can possibly function with out me. My plan is to first work for a successful home remodeling company to get a good understanding of the different trades, then go for my GC license. My next goal is to work as a project manager and part time in sales to learn as much as I can on the business end. I strongly believe that this will provide with a good understanding and the skills needed to start my own construction business. At the the end of the day I am still a 20 year old and this goal may sound delusional so I hope you may guide me and give me advice on what you think the most ideal and efficient path to take on becoming a construction business owner. I would also like to know if you see value in the formal schooling route (4 year bachelors in construction management) or simply working my way to my goal. I thank you once again for your help and wish your channel the best of success!!!!

[@Krazie-Ivan]

GL man!

[@TheRealCoreyBurnett]

Just found you ! Ty

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

You're welcome. Welcome to the community!

[@luciarael7134]

Congratulations on grandchild ❤

[@claireh.7605]

Where can I get feedback on the floor plans I am getting from architect? I have several floor plans and need a second opinion.

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

I offer one hour consulting. See me at howtobuildyourownhome.com

[@flipthadon4276]

What windows do you recommend for new construction?

[@chadd587]

Why use 2x4 or 2x6 on your construction projects? Out of curiosity, what scenario would you not use concrete such as omniblock? Distance from suppliers, owner preference, or something like a large discount on materials? I'm in the middle of budgeting with my builder and right now I'm on a deep dive in Windows and exterior walls. Trying to find a reason to steer away from omniblock.

[@Krazie-Ivan]

Omni requires skilled mason labor (time + money), isn't easy to route MEP lengthwise, is a pain for mounting anything, and has a considerable amount of thermal bridging. still, better than CMU. stick builds are a hassle to air seal well, are prone to pests/water/etc, aren't strong or quiet... but you can get decent thermal performance with advanced framing (wide plates w/offset studs). look into ICF for envelope walls, frost walls, and even roofing. none of the above drawbacks, far higher performance. bit more $ (about 5-15%, depending on design), but you'll save on insurance, energy consumption, and be maint free.

[@chadd587]

@@Krazie-Ivan no, I've looked into ICF. I'm not even considering it. That's why I listed two and not three.

[@chadd587]

​​@@Krazie-Ivanif you want thermal block and nothing else, then it is a higher R factor. But I'm looking for a system that works with my heating and cooling, not isolation. And because of that isolation, you're trapping in the moisture from the concrete for months or years after the build. It causes issues in the home until it completely dries out. And it's not insurance friendly if you can even get it insured. Since you can't I spent it for bug damage or infestation, it's a non starter for me. And it's susceptible to fire smolder and melting probably requiring a full tear out. ICF is a no no.

[@Krazie-Ivan]

​@@chadd587 ...by "isolation" & "with" heating/cooling, are you referring to banking your inside thermal energy? if that's the case, unfortunately Omni has low thermal density & doesn't prevent energy being wicked to the opposite side very well. there's no continuous air barrier, no insulative layer outside, and it's got a lot of thermal bridge volume between the faces. an inside thick slab wall, with an air-tight insulation outside (Nudura One, for example), can be great if UV from the sun bakes the exposed side. but most building designs don't do this well, and most climates/regions don't help facilitate it (Taos does tho - Earthships run on this concept). concrete cures, not dries. it's aprox 30 days, not years, and the added time means it cures to a higher strength. all new slab/stem/etc builds have high humidity for a period (even wood takes long to "dry out" in a typical build, buried behind drywall & vapor barriers), but an ERV/HRV (w/dehumid in certain climates) is mandatory with ICF's low level of ACH anyway, so it's a non-issue. best air quality is from controlled & filtered ventilation. for ins, it's "a steel-reinforced concrete structure" ...doesn't get any easier to cover (can link to a great agent if needed). and for some areas with fires/tornadoes/hurricanes/etc it can be the ONLY way to get insured. not sure what you mean on bugs... none eat EPS. termites can dig their way up to roof, but it's rare, and treated the same as one might for any type of building. wood will combust at a lower radiant temp than it takes to melt the inside layer of ICF from an outside fire. doesn't ignite, so the structure can be salvaged, but the main idea behind a fire rating is the length of time you have to get people/pets to safety. inside, it prevents spread. this is the ONE thing i really like about Omni & blocks like it, but... nobody does a concrete roof over those blocks, because they can't structurally support the weight. the fire rating becomes near worthless when the roof catches & falls-in. same for high winds. not sure where your info comes from, but i've seen these same mis-representations a lot over the years. Canada, many EU governments, Habitat, and so many independent outlets (Green Building Advisor, etc) have decades of data on ICF in the real-world. join an ICF page on FB, & ask the same questions. the life-long builders/engis/archs there are happy to link info. :)

[@joseceja8932]

Sorry Keith didn’t mean to bombard you guys with three questions during a life quickly down to our final scheme struggling to except the dimensions in my living room wondering if I could share my scheme with you via email so you can give me a clear understanding or your honest opinion

[@gieselman]

Anyone building in AZ, I’d love to connect. I’m first time owner builder building with OmniBlock. I’m in the initial phases of the process … plans are getting engineered and someone is working on the grading & drainage / septic plans.

[@Tsvna-f8d]

I planned on building with Omniblock in AZ as well. I was limited to a 2 story home due to lot size. It turns out the labor to build the second story is significantly higher, which is not the case for traditional build. I’d probably do Omniblock on a ranch home if I were to do it again.

[@Laura-bv7vn]

Yes I’m interested in a community group for Omni block build.

[@DanielWood907]

We are in AZ, have plans and engineering, just waiting for MEP plans. Stick frame though.

[@gieselman]

@@Tsvna-f8d - Interesting. Had you already had the plans drawn up and getting bids? Or, how'd you realize it was going to cost more going "up" with your type of build?

[@gieselman]

@@DanielWood907 - probably a good idea to get MEP's. I haven't done that. If you're in the PHX area, who' did you use for the foundation and did they do good work?