The most important item is having a good piling installation. In hindsight, I would require whatever builder I signed with to use C & L Pilings. My builder (Landmark Fine Homes, Jay Culley) had issues paying his subs. As a result he could not get a local piling company to work for him anymore, and hired R J Gorman from Panama City who overcharged them and constructed the horiontal beams opposite of what the plans showed. When contacted, they denied doing so, even though I have video (many hours) showing them doing so. You definitely want to start with a good base. A great piling installer is a must!
Seeing the comments, I though I would give a general update - And a general warning. It is at Shell Point. We had to stop construction and fire our builder (Jay Culley, Landmark Fine Homes - Big Beware here) when an inspection found that: 1) R. J. Gorman Constructed the horiontal beams in the incorrect order the plans showed (we brought this up to our builder during construction. Their respose was "it's okay because it's an ICF house". The site super told us the engineer had worked out a solution. Turns out they lied & we will probably have to remove the pilings). 2) Our Builder then had the rebar cut. This rebar was supposed to go 2' into the ICF walls per the engineering plans. 3) While they were hiding these details from us, the builder left the floor trusses & OSB wood in the elements so long, that they were not structurally sound anymore and will have to be removed. 4) Attached the floor trusses in a manner that is not even close to the plans, in a manner not approved by the engineer. Our builder really let us down here. Whatever you do, don't trust Jay Culley and Landmark Fine Homes. Everything about the job was done wrong. Thank god it was stopped before they tried to rig the walls. Also, the Country inspecters were never called during construction. They were supposed to be notified and given a pile log. Our builder was clueless about such things. He then had the nerve to take the second bank draw, lying to the bank by stating required items were completed. We have since met some great people & builders, so if you are serious about building down here, contact me and I'll tell you what to watch out for....and who we wish we went with. I've learned more about pilings than I ever wanted too. It looks like we may have to start from scratch here. That's if we can recover from this financially. I don't want anybody out there to go through what we are going through with this. A dream home should not become a nightmare.
I noticed the pile driver pulled multiple piles out on the video. I thought thru might not be following procedure or plans....then i saw this comment. Ouch. I hope you're okay after all this!
Many times pilings are made long and cut. The piling must be driven until it reaches a specific resistance. Somethings that 20’ sometimes it’s 100’ without knowing how deep they will reach the specific resistance at each location they are drive and then cut to the proper elevation (just finished a job with 1,200 pilings)
I am the one who installed the piles. When you get approval form your builder how do You put the blame on the installers. We did what we where told. And piles are made and at certain length. These piles where very long due to no geo test being done. If they had got a geo test done you would have seen the limestone shelf at 20 feet. Sorry just hate to hear people bad mouth me or my company. We busted our butts to get it done for them. Mistakes happen if you never made one you amd not being honest.
Well is it "mistakes happen" which implies it's your companies' fault or is it the builder made us do it wrong even though you apparently had access to the plans which is still on you. It sounds like you're lying to minimize your part in this but it's not really that good of a lie. You should just man up and fix your mistake because "mistake happen".
looking forward to a part 2, I want to see how these piling connect to the ICF
I’m also looking forward to part two. My wife wants a beach house. I told her only concrete on stilts will do. Thanks for the video.
Great comments. Very educational and informative!
I use to do this on the outer banks. Very fun job
Wow! We are in process of doing this. Please more info
We’re looking to build around that area as well! Would love the referral for your building team!
The most important item is having a good piling installation. In hindsight, I would require whatever builder I signed with to use C & L Pilings. My builder (Landmark Fine Homes, Jay Culley) had issues paying his subs. As a result he could not get a local piling company to work for him anymore, and hired R J Gorman from Panama City who overcharged them and constructed the horiontal beams opposite of what the plans showed. When contacted, they denied doing so, even though I have video (many hours) showing them doing so. You definitely want to start with a good base. A great piling installer is a must!
Why no surveyor to pin the pilings!! When I saw the first one pulled I said problem
Whats poppin.
Seeing the comments, I though I would give a general update - And a general warning. It is at Shell Point. We had to stop construction and fire our builder (Jay Culley, Landmark Fine Homes - Big Beware here) when an inspection found that: 1) R. J. Gorman Constructed the horiontal beams in the incorrect order the plans showed (we brought this up to our builder during construction. Their respose was "it's okay because it's an ICF house". The site super told us the engineer had worked out a solution. Turns out they lied & we will probably have to remove the pilings). 2) Our Builder then had the rebar cut. This rebar was supposed to go 2' into the ICF walls per the engineering plans. 3) While they were hiding these details from us, the builder left the floor trusses & OSB wood in the elements so long, that they were not structurally sound anymore and will have to be removed. 4) Attached the floor trusses in a manner that is not even close to the plans, in a manner not approved by the engineer.
Our builder really let us down here. Whatever you do, don't trust Jay Culley and Landmark Fine Homes. Everything about the job was done wrong. Thank god it was stopped before they tried to rig the walls. Also, the Country inspecters were never called during construction. They were supposed to be notified and given a pile log. Our builder was clueless about such things. He then had the nerve to take the second bank draw, lying to the bank by stating required items were completed.
We have since met some great people & builders, so if you are serious about building down here, contact me and I'll tell you what to watch out for....and who we wish we went with. I've learned more about pilings than I ever wanted too.
It looks like we may have to start from scratch here. That's if we can recover from this financially. I don't want anybody out there to go through what we are going through with this. A dream home should not become a nightmare.
What’s the best way to reach out to you? We are searching right now for a builder in Shell Point. My email: annakosenkov@hotmail.com
Thank you for your help...you are a great person.
Looking to build an ICF on piers at St George Island. Would appreciate a recommendation for a builder. Definitely know who not to use. Thanks
@@jalexbell Looking to build in Apalachicola. Need recommendations for reputable builders.
I noticed the pile driver pulled multiple piles out on the video. I thought thru might not be following procedure or plans....then i saw this comment. Ouch. I hope you're okay after all this!
Is this at Shell Point? I’m in Tallahassee and am interested in following this build.
How much is this cost with all the material and labor?
Why werent the pilings sized right to begin with? The engineer should have directed the length and they should not have had to be cut.
Many times pilings are made long and cut. The piling must be driven until it reaches a specific resistance. Somethings that 20’ sometimes it’s 100’ without knowing how deep they will reach the specific resistance at each location they are drive and then cut to the proper elevation (just finished a job with 1,200 pilings)
Are there any updates?
I am the one who installed the piles. When you get approval form your builder how do You put the blame on the installers. We did what we where told. And piles are made and at certain length. These piles where very long due to no geo test being done. If they had got a geo test done you would have seen the limestone shelf at 20 feet. Sorry just hate to hear people bad mouth me or my company. We busted our butts to get it done for them. Mistakes happen if you never made one you amd not being honest.
Well is it "mistakes happen" which implies it's your companies' fault or is it the builder made us do it wrong even though you apparently had access to the plans which is still on you. It sounds like you're lying to minimize your part in this but it's not really that good of a lie. You should just man up and fix your mistake because "mistake happen".