Posted By EastMark on 01 Mar 2010 07:45 PM
Kevin
What is retail on spray foam when you compared this for your roof and what thickness did you go ?
We are seeing about $1 per SF per inch here in the northeast. It really hasnt gone down here.
Mark

Thats about 5 X the price per inch of EPS foam used in SIPs

Posted By EastMark on 01 Mar 2010 07:45 PM
Kevin
What is retail on spray foam when you compared this for your roof and what thickness did you go ?
We are seeing about $1 per SF per inch here in the northeast. It really hasnt gone down here.
Mark

Mark, Sorry for the late reply - it's trade show season:-) Pricing was in the realm of $1.25 sq.ft. per inch thick at 5" thick. This was for 2 lb. type 2 Heatlok Soya polyurethane spray foam.

I spoke with an outfit recently, owner-operator who has quoted me $0.80 per sq ft for spray foam. He can't keep up with the work he has lined up. It seems to me that if some guys can work flat out at a 20% less (other quotes at $1.00 or more) while the others are suffering from a bad building economy something ain't quite right. He still turns a tidy profit at his price.

"He still turns a tidy profit at his price. "

It baffles me how either SIPS/Spray Foam manufacturers or possibly dealers/installers cant find a way to be more cost effective. People want to use their products....but the cost just wont come down. They seem to have the we have a "premium product/premium price" syndrome. 20% less overall split between mfr/distributor/installer would double the volume I would bet.
Every "green" or building site has "what is a low cost substitute to get SIPS or spray foam benefits?" type threads constantly. The interest is there. The cost is not. Its too bad.
Mark

Mark,
I am continually amazed that end users of any product or service can expect that suppliers/installers can just cut their prices 5, 10, or 20+ percent and still make a profit. I begin to think that too many people make a living by telling consumers how the big, bad construction industry screws them at every turn.
I also find it of interest how many companies who do great work, so much cheaper than everyone else and 'turns a tidy profit' are broke and out of business in two years.

Wes,
Your right. Many fail for sure...I'd say most.
I just see a sharp rise the last few years in acceptance and excitement in SIPS/Spray Foam use and figure there has to be some way for them to capture more business. Im not mad at the business at all. I just feel like they are missing the boat by not capitalizing on the increased desire for use and increased acceptance.
 
I am looking at it as I see it... from outside the building industry as a business person who is always looking to grow myself, thats all.

I really think the manufacturers in any industry need to be pushed to reduce their COST, not their operating profits.
All industrys manufacturers have some tendency to get complacent. Its human nature.

Mark

Wes, as an end user I have no expectations for the supplier/installer to just cut their prices 5, 10, or 20+ percent. I asked for a quote and that's what he gave me. $.80/ft. You can think what you like about people's livings regarding the construction industry.

I just paid $5.20 a square foot for 7 inch thick 2# closed Cell Demilec Soy green stuff. In truth it was closer to the full rafter depth in most places (2X10 rafter). In addition, since my husband and I did all the plastic prep work, he threw in 3 inches for the band joist around the entire perimeter, plus foamed a couple of awkward places also, like the ONE pipe in the whole house that is in an outside wall - the drain pipe from the main floor kitchen sink to the ground floor possible future kitchen sink. This is in the Fingerlakes region of NY, and was around the going price for 2# CC. I got several quotes. OC was much less, but it just didn't have a high enough R value to suit me.

I think the idea of 3" of CC and the spider web stuff also sounded like a great idea, and probably even more cost effective - something I think would work well with walls and deeper roof rafters.

Cablebob, I think what you are doing is absolutely amazing, and does my heart good to know there are younger folks out there thinking the way you are and acting on it.  I hope you house turns out to be wonderful, and a treasure for future generations.

-Rosalinda

Here is one of our latest timber-frame designs. Check it out...

http://energyresponsiblehomes.blogspot.com/2010/10/great-new-design.html

[email protected]

Hey Rosalinda,
We are going to build a home in Saranac Lake and I was wondering if you could send me the info of the foam insulation sub you mentioned.  You can PM if you'd like.  Might be a bit of a drive, but I'd at least like to ask the question.  Thanks!
Scott

Scott, are you interested in competitively priced SIPs? or are you settled on spray foam?