HAZ, would you explain what ICF walls are? I am 1-2 years out from building my dream house and shop. I am looking for any info. I can get on the most energy efficent methods of building. I plan on setting aside my business for the time period of constructing my house. I had estimated to me from a timberframe company that would prefer to remain anonomous, a "turn-key" cost range of $125.00 - $175.00 per sq. ft. having the whole project contracted out. It's my hope that I can have my dream house in a timberframe by cutting and joining myself for half that but I admit that to this point I haven't aquired enough sub costs to know for sure. I am an experienced carpenter and cabinetmaker by trade. I have thousands of board feet of homesawn lumber as well as reclaimed lumber I intend to mill myself for the house. What I don't have are the timbers. I have done a little framing so far and am slowly aquiring the machines to do it. I just need to get into a few more workshops to get more hands on experience. No question it takes longer to cut and join a frame than to stick build but maybe not 10 times longer, I would guess 4-5 times. But ofcoarse that too depends on the equipment you have to work with.
Thomas, what do you use for moving your timbers on sight to stage them for cutting? Forklift, crane, your shoulder,LOL? This is one aspect of the process I find difficult to cost in. Should I buy a used forklift or something for handling timbers since I maybe working alone alot of the time then plan on selling it when the house is done? The same goes for the specialty machines for framing. I have a chain mortiser already but not a large circular saw or 12" hand plane. All these special tools add up to alot of money just to get ready to build.
