I started out with a dream to retire to a home where we could live inexpensively, and  generate our own energy. My dream is in serious jeopardy because I trusted the wrong people and paid a big price for doing so.

My wife and I just completed our home exterior shell using a product called Thermobuilt (TB). They sell alternatives to SIPS that are supposed to be cheaper. Their web site makes all sorts of claims that I now seriously doubt.  

So, after talking to some folks with experience, even some who have commented here, I decided to go with this company to help with my green build. My primary objective was to build a net zero home, and TB gave me assurances that they would be there to answer questions along the way to help ensure I didn’t hit any snags or issues. What I soon learned was that, in my opinion, this company was more concerned about being in constant “CYA” mode. 

Here is an overview of my experience.  The Thermobuilt (TB) process starts with an estimate, to build just the frame, to buy their insulation for walls and roofs, and a Thermobuilt guide that was supposed to help you figure out how this home would be built. The estimate  was a little over $50,000.  This estimate was made a little more than a year ago, and since then, wood prices have either stayed consistent or dropped (source: https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/lumber). See the attached chart.
The reason I mentioned this is that part of the estimate included lumber and there was a clause in the contract that said something to the effect that Thermobuilt would not be held responsible for any mistake they might have made and that the client would be responsible no matter what. Take a hypothetical: if a mistake was made in the original estimate and the incorrect ceiling joists were chosen,? and when the time came to purchase the lumber, the error was discovered and the price came back much higher. It appears to me that TB could not be held responsible, according to my interpretation of their contract and the risk is always on the client. 

The biggest issue I have at this point is the numerous issues I have had with communications with this company. I really felt that they were going to work with me and help me through some issues regarding building this home. When the time came, instead of help, all I got were, in my opinion, head winds. Others have said that this system requires special expertise to build. That is what I should have been told instead. Finally, certain things occurred that made me question the truthfulness of the things I was being told. Most were little things but in my experience, if you can’t tell the truth in small things, how can you be trusted in large things. Perhaps I am naive, but wouldn’t it be nice for once if a company went out of its way to help a client succeed rather than just make money.  I’m not saying that they should not make money, they should, however, companies that make longer term rather than short-term gains tend to last longer, have fewer complaints, and come out far ahead. Unfortunately, some of us see the fast profit. 

I cannot say that I was lied to in any material way, but I can say that things do not feel right to me. When I did complain, I received excuse after excuse. For example, when we received our product from Thermobuilt, I and several others on site felt there were issues with the way the product was cut for installation. The channels in the foam had several off-sets that, in my opinion, caused the surface of both the internal and external walls to shift. The excuse that made it even after I sent pictures was that it was due to the swelling of  wood that got wet. I measured the width of the bottom plates and they were right on the mark, Then I was told that these even with the offsets were within tolerances. I have no idea what the tolerances are supposed to be?  So when I complained further, i was told that I should be able to handle it with a hot wire or a rasp. Well, we tried, and in my experience, it takes hours, especially when so many were not even.   I asked for some consideration in price because of these and some other related issues and was told no. 

I am still optimistic that things will turn out okay; only time will tell.
thx