All Forum Posts by: Jonathan Landry

Originally posted by @Darlena Jones:

We have a construction company and can't build cheaper than buying.  I wish.

 What' age are the homes you are purchasing? <5 years old?

thx

@Russell Holmes 

That is a sips panel system. Very quick install and energy efficient. I have seen them used, mainly on timber frame structures around here but have not had the chance to use them yet. My reason for not using them is labor/installation. Labor is at a premium in the area and finding someone with experience installing SIPs complicates that even greater. 

As far as 24 oc framing. I've done that recently, 2/2 sfr  in my profile. It worked well with the roof trusses/studs all stacked (now that I think about it, the floor system was on 16 oc). It did concern me without fastening the siding directly to the studs as often but we have been through four seasons and the siding still looks like the day we installed it per the manufacturer's directions. And if you are using roof trusses, your ceiling is most likely on 24" layoff.

Your dad would question you for the cabinet install. Luckily we had the foresight to install blocking between the studs (multiple runs for upper and lower cabinets) horizontally to accommodate the cabinets.  We thought it turned out alright....

@Michael Herr we use the schluter system for our tile floors which requires thin set between the underpayment and subfloor with great success.

@Russell Holmes I’m not sure of the costs comparison because I’ve never built a traditional block basement. When I have compared the numbers with my father in law, gc as well, it looks more expensive on the face but when considering the panels are insulated and don’t require wood framing. Quicker setup. Logistically it it costs significantly less. For round numbers on the pictures posted above. 104 LF of 9 ft panels @ $12k Materials $9k. Transportation, crane, setup $3k. Our local fabricator/installer is about 1.5 hrs away. Check out this video for above grade applications in the south https://youtu.be/64qN1j_7X0o

@Jim Adrian sounds like those panels work well for commercial & industrial buildings. With the Superior Walls I mentioned above, we have a cast in place foundation with insulation and metal studs ready for drywall @ $12-15 SF set in place. We use the prefab interior studs as an upsell.

Labor is our biggest costs at the moment and good help is even more costly these days. Taking the extra men off of the site and a quicker foundation in place are the win for us

I scanned the thread and did not see anyone mention precast - Superior Walls or similar products. they are a precast wall panel with reinforced concrete studs and "wrapped" with insulation. In the mountains we use them for basements but I have seen literature with people using them for main level and stacked living spaces in Florida. 

https://www.superiorwalls.com/

The advantages that we see are the reduced number of "man hours" on the jobsite to completion of the foundation. Grading contractor digs a "hole" in the ground for one large footing> a drain line is placed around the perimeter> inspection> fill with gravel> final grade and tamp. Set walls. We are setting foundations in one weeks time with all conditions being optimal vs digging footings, inspection, pour footing, lay block, etc

Finally, the permeable footing allows water to drain to daylight and avoid wet basements. 

This 32x20 basement was placed in less than 2 hours. Started excavating on Monday, walls went in on Friday afternoon. Plumber was roughing in on the following Monday morning. We do a few small ones a year and have completed large jobs with plenty of interior and exterior corners and always happy with the finished product.

@Chris Jargens Glad to hear you all found a solution to make you happy. 

Good thing with the brick. I grew up in a area with plenty of brick but it is hardly ever used here in the mountains and didn't cross my mind.

I'm a builder in the area and we are currently focused on 225-275k new construction in western Buncombe and eastern Haywood county.

I look forward to meeting some of you this evening as well. 

@Michael Elfant Builder’s risk covers damage to the unit being constructed (property) General liability is more like umbrella coverage. Workers comp covers injured employees, subs, etc All 3 are very different and applicable in their own ways