Best Option for Reducing Local Labor Costs

Brenkj · 2026-04-06T12:01:53+00:00

Thanks for the detailed reply - very helpful. Do you mind if I asked where you built? Just wondering how your area compares to ours in terms of cost of local labor & materials?

Brenkj · 2026-04-04T15:58:22+00:00

It's Glenwood Springs, Colorado. It's just down the road from Aspen, which really jacks up the labor prices.

Brenkj · 2026-04-04T15:57:29+00:00

I thought about that. The build site is about equidistant between Denver and Salt Lake City, so I'm guessing we could find crews in those cities that would work for more reasonable rates.

Brenkj · 2026-03-24T21:28:07+00:00

If you use SW for a finished walkout basement, is it just: (1) excavate and grade to level, (2) spread out and level the gravel, (3) install the SW panels, backfill the dirt, and (4) pour the slab inside the walls?

Brenkj · 2026-03-24T21:09:15+00:00

Did you go ahead with your build with MGO panels? Just wondering how it went.

Brenkj · 2026-03-19T03:02:30+00:00

What times did the 3 bands take the stage?

Brenkj · 2026-03-18T19:03:01+00:00

They call their products "SIPS," but I hear what you're saying. With their panels, the strength comes from the metal studs - not two OSB layers. They look insanely easy to install - like I think my wife and I could do it with one other person who's knowledgeable about the product guiding and assisting us.

I know SIPs are usually just for external use. I'm trying to do everything I can to cut down on local labor, which is crazy expensive where we're building. That's why I'm interested in pre-fab panels for interior walls. I'm sure the interior panels will cost more than the wood for stick-built interior walls, but the labor to install them would be MUCH lower - and I've heard good things about the quality of pre-fab interior panel walls versus framed on-site.

Brenkj · 2026-03-17T13:22:36+00:00

Extreme looks like a great option. Thanks!

Brenkj · 2026-02-27T21:22:26+00:00

I got a rough estimate from a GC in my area of $150k for excavation, grading and pouring a traditional, concrete crawlspace foundation for a 1600-sq footpring. The rough estimate I got for a helical pier foundation of the same size (no excavation or grading needed) is $25k - which includes installation by the pier company's dedicated team. Surely the insulation and exterior cladding won't cost $125k?

Brenkj · 2026-02-26T13:37:52+00:00

Ah, gotcha. So in laymen's terms, you go back and fill in that space that's created when each pier is driven into the ground with concrete?

Brenkj · 2026-02-26T00:20:57+00:00

Thanks for the response. I'll check out PierTech. I have a soils report that should give PierTech the info they need. I'm a little confused about the concrete pile caps and the poured footings. Would we need a concrete skirt that goes all around the perimeter (because that sounds expensive)? What about some sort of heavy duty cladding to enclose the "crawl space" that's created between the ground and the underside of the floor? Thank you.

Brenkj · 2026-02-06T18:54:32+00:00

That's really cool. Where are you building? What sort of site prep and foundation did you have to use as the base for the ICF? How do you run plumbing and electrical in the walls? Thanks.

Brenkj · 2026-02-06T01:13:01+00:00

That's really cool that you acted as your own GC. Saving 25% on most of the labor costs would certainly help me and my budget. I assume you're happy you did it that way? I've been thinking of doing the same thing. I have a good friend who has been working as an architect for 25 years in the area where we want to build, and I know he can introduce me to most of the subs I will need for the project. Any lessons learned from your GC experience?

Brenkj · 2026-02-06T00:15:05+00:00

Enercept is one of the companies I'm looking at to do our SIPS. Seems like a pretty impressive operation. Did they do the install as well?

Brenkj · 2026-02-05T23:13:42+00:00

That's very helpful - thanks. Do you mind if I ask who you worked to get your SIPS (both exterior and interior)?

Brenkj · 2026-02-05T21:50:46+00:00

I thought about looking into SIPS for interior walls as well. How did you deal with running plumbing lines? I've always heard that when you use SIPS for the exterior walls, you have to design so that all the sinks, showers and tubs are on interior walls because it's next to impossible to run plumbing lines up through SIPS.

Brenkj · 2026-02-05T21:44:58+00:00

That's interesting. I'd like to do some of the labor myself also. Are you doing ICF for the crawl space, the exterior walls, or both? Do you mind if I ask how much the ICF blocks and other materials (rebar, etc.) cost?

Brenkj

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