Foundations
Foundation
Mark called me the other day when he was out driving. This is typical: whenever he gets in the car, he calls me first to check in. He makes tons of calls throughout the day, but we always start with each other. It’s one of those little things that’s sweet… and also slightly terrifying if you’re not prepared for a random pop quiz on building materials.
Sure enough, that day, he asked, “Do you have a preference for which foundation we put in?” I was knee-deep in marketing work for a client, and the question hit me like a rogue wave. I mean, I know of different foundation types—I used to be a Realtor, after all—but actually picking one from scratch for our new custom home? My first reaction was more or less: Help!
So, in true spousal fashion, I said, “Honestly, babe, this is more a time where you tell me our options and then tell me which one we actually want.” It’s like me asking him to choose a butter brand—he knows we use butter, but I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t know the difference between salted or unsalted. He chuckled at that analogy (which, I have to admit, I found pretty spot-on), and then he laid out the big three foundation options.
Our Goal
Before I dive in, here’s what Mark and I are aiming for with this new house:
Longevity – We want a home that stands the test of time. No half-measures or “we’ll fix it later” items.
Functionality – We’re done with poorly planned cabinets that unleash avalanches of pots and pans. This house needs to work for us, not against us.
Budget-Friendly – We want the world…but on a budget. Ideally, we’d love to build this home all-cash, so we’re not slaves to jobs or clients forever.
And because Mark can’t do anything less than 110%, once he sets his sights on the “best” solution, he’ll lose sleep if we pick anything else. Sometimes that’s good—like having a personal building inspector on speed dial. Sometimes it’s stressful—like trying to keep the project on budget. Either way, I’m just happy he’s the one with the know-how.
The Internal Battle
By the time Mark asked for my input, I could tell he’d already been wrestling with it in his head. He needed me to confirm or challenge what he’d concluded. So he spelled out the three main choices:
Traditional Poured Concrete Wall
Been around for 70–80 years; definitely better than block.
R-value is about 2 (translation: it gets cold).
Installation: about a week, plus another week to cure.
Budget-friendliest option.
ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms)
R-value 21–26, so much better insulation than poured concrete.
We could theoretically do some of the work ourselves.
About a week to install and another to cure—but a big DIY effort if we go that route.
More expensive than poured concrete, but less than some high-end options.
Superior Walls (Precast Panels)
R-value 16 standard, up to 36 with extra insulation.
Install happens in a single day, with zero wait time to keep building!
The priciest option, but it radically speeds up the entire timeline.
Mark’s favorite for peace of mind (and likely best for his beauty sleep).
As he explained R-values (the measure of resistance to temperature change), my eyes glazed over a bit… but I followed enough to know that going from an R-value of 2 to 36 is a huge leap, especially if you factor in comfort for a future finished basement. Now Mark will probably want me to make sure you know that the R value of 36 is once the rest of the home is built and fully insulated. It does not come that from the walls alone.
The Best… Until It Wasn’t
Initially, we settled on Superior Walls. The speed, the insulation, and the ability to skip some typical basement hassles seemed worth the cost. Or so we thought—until the final price came back. Let’s just say, seeing that number shook our “we want the world on a budget” motto. Even though it was probably the “best” in terms of pure performance, we realized we weren’t ready to pour that much money into a foundation. Pun absolutely intended here!
So, after more late-night budget chats (and a few Mark “but we really want it perfect” moments), we decided on a traditional with some extras approach: we’d go with a traditional poured wall overall, then add INSOFAST styrofoam panels on the parts of the basement we’d actively use as living space. Since we plan on having a home gym down there, we want it to be cozy, but we don’t need to fully insulate every single corner. Add in our new daylight windows looking out at the land, and I’m actually excited—though I told Mark I’m waiting to start working out until we have that sweet new gym space (it’s a great excuse, right?).
Here is a photo of my dream home gym... Mark is probably cringing at the budget for something like that 🤣
Moral of the Story
If you ever find yourself frustrated or overwhelmed by the plethora of choices in a custom build, know this: things change. You go in assuming one solution is perfect, but you come out with a different plan that fits your life and your budget better—and that’s the beauty of building custom! Thankfully, Mark has enough expertise (and patience) to explain the pros and cons so we can sleep well at night. And if you ask me, having a builder who cares about both the end result and your peace of mind is priceless.
In the end, we’re still building a solid, well-insulated foundation that meets our needs and respects our budget. Because let’s face it: some things need the very best (like a safe, comfortable basement) and others (like the brand of butter) might be less critical. Pick your battles, people. And always consult someone who knows more than you do—preferably someone who’ll hold your hand through the sleepless nights and celebrate with you when you land on the perfect compromise.
- Cassie
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