Does an ICF home cost more to build?

Typically somewhat more upfront than conventional framing. That premium buys lower heating and cooling loads for the life of the house, better insurability in fire-exposed areas, and a structure that doesn't need its envelope rebuilt in thirty years. Every project gets a written line-item quote so the comparison is concrete, not hand-waved.

Who handles permits and inspections?

The ICF Guys do, start to finish. We file the applications, coordinate every inspection, and close the file with the issuing authority — on both the Washington and Oregon sides of the river. Parcels inside the National Scenic Area carry an extra layer of review, and that gets planned into the schedule from day one instead of discovered mid-permit.

Based in White Salmon, Washington, building on both sides of the river — Hood River, Bingen, Stevenson, Trout Lake, The Dalles, and the towns between. Licensed in Washington (L&I #HIGHMDC794OP) and Oregon (CCB #245102), so the state line never decides the project.

Will the owner be on site during construction?

Yes. Josh leads the crew on site through the build phase. The owner has Josh's direct number from day one; walk-throughs and progress reviews happen with the builder, not a project manager.

Completed black-clad modern ICF home on a boulder-terraced rise

5.010 Google reviews

Custom concrete homes from award-winning ICF specialists.

We design and build custom homes, pools, and bunkers in insulated
concrete across the Columbia River Gorge. Stronger, quieter, and
cheaper to heat than a framed house, built by the owner and his crew.

OR CCB #245102WA L&I #HIGHMDC794OP

You’re reaching out to

Josh Miller

Begin a project conversation.

Three quick questions. Every inquiry goes straight to Josh.

Direct line
(541) 400-1008
Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm
Written, itemized quote
Delivered after the site assessment.
Licensed · CCB #245102
General liability and workers’ compensation on every project.

Written quote · CCB #245102 · Insured

Step 01 of 04

What kind of project are you planning?

The case for concrete

The strongest wall we know how to build.

A framed wall relies on studs, films, and caulk staying dry and tight for decades. An ICF wall is a single piece of the building: reinforced concrete with continuous insulation on both faces. No cavities to hold moisture, no gaps in the insulation, nothing to rot. It goes up once and it’s permanent.

Read the full case for ICF ICF homes Consulting & blocks

Reviews

What clients say about the work.

5.0Read all on Google →

5.0
Based on 10 reviews
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Michelle Japhet
September 2026
“I highly recommend Josh and his team! They did an outstanding job creating a beautiful new driveway on a difficult, sloped property. The project also required removing several enormous trees and navigating a challenging approval process with town officials, and Josh handled every obstacle with patience, persistence, and professionalism. Josh kept me informed throughout the project, found solutions whenever complications arose, and made sure the work was completed properly. His entire team was hardworking, skilled, reliable, and respectful of the property. The finished driveway is absolutely beautiful and exceeded my expectations. I’m extremely grateful to Josh and his team and would confidently recommend them to anyone looking for high-quality work and a contractor who truly stands behind his projects.”
Terri Tuthill
September 2026
“Josh Miller and crew apply a high level of expertise in all phases of project planning, materials, and custom home building in rural undeveloped locations. Specialized ability to communicate building, code and engineering needs directly to the home owner in a understandable way that will decrease the anxiety of the complex process of building and restore the excitement of the overall project.”
MrClover Bonneville
September 2026
“I have used The ICF Guys for a number of jobs over the last few years. From Door, Window & Siding replacements to special one of a kind projects such as a church belfry installation. Their team has always been punctual and provide a quality product at a high value price. Will be sure to use and recommend them again!!”
Jordan Hartwell
September 2026
“Very professional. Never missed a deadline. Top quality work and easy to get along with. He never cut any corners, was efficient, and communicated every step of the process with me.”
Bix Gaul
September 2026
“From the moment Josh stepped on my property I knew that the ICF guys were the choice for me. The level of professionalism and detail as well as the dedication to completing my project on time was second to none. I look forward to working with them again on my future endeavors.”
Dj Brill
September 2026
“Our house went up in weather that shut down every framed jobsite on our road. Josh runs a tight crew, communicates constantly, and the finished house is silent inside even when the Gorge wind is howling.”
Trent Foster
September 2026
“Josh and his crew are the best of the best. Great quality work and professionalism. Honest and hardworking”
Coach
September 2026
“Their work is beyond amazing. Everything is well put together, looks beautiful and went up so fast. Theyre priced great and so friendly!!”
Scott Tuthill
September 2026
“Josh is very professional. He does great work in a timely manner. Highly recommend him.”
Justin Whitman
September 2026
“Josh and the crew do great work - I’ll continue to use them in the future. I highly recommend!”
Begin a project
Engage The ICF Guys for your next build.
Owner-led from initial assessment through final inspection.
Plan your project→

Everything we build, from custom homes to consulting.

Recognized at the ICF Builder Awards at World of Concrete. Josh leads every engagement from first assessment through final inspection, and the same in-house crew forms, braces, and pours every wall.

Custom ICF homes
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Hillside and view builds
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Mountain and snow-country builds
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ICF pools
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Below-grade structures
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ICF bunkers
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Storm shelters
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ICF consulting
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Block supply
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Contractor training
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Radiant floor systems
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Roof and structural integration
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Something else
Don’t see your project?
If it’s concrete or ICF work in the Columbia River Gorge, call Josh directly. He will tell you straight if it is or is not a fit.
(541) 400-1008 Submit an inquiry

What we’ve been building.

Hillside homes, below-grade garages, and suspended insulated decks, all recent work across the Gorge, with the owner on site from the first block to the final inspection.

ICF home · in progress

The ridge build above the Columbia

Full height ICF walls carrying an engineered roof deck, built right at the edge of the cliff

ICF home · complete

The black house on a rock bench

An ICF shell finished in black, with a wraparound deck, boulder terraces, and a fire pit court

Hillside structure

A garage under a rooftop terrace

ICF retaining walls carrying a concrete deck, a glass rail, and a timber pergola overhead

Progress

Drag to compare. Same build, months apart.

Every build is documented from foundation to finished shell. Drag the handle to compare the same project months apart.

Hip-roof contemporary after — Hip-roof contemporary
Dried-in ICF shell to stucco and black stone.

Hip-roof contemporary before — Hip-roof contemporary
Dried-in ICF shell to stucco and black stone.

Addition below an existing home after — Addition below an existing home
First courses in fall, a poured deck by winter.

Addition below an existing home before — Addition below an existing home
First courses in fall, a poured deck by winter.

FAQ

Common questions, answered.

Call (541) 400-1008→

Why build with ICF instead of framing?

A framed wall is a chain of compromises: studs bridge the insulation, cavities collect moisture, and the whole assembly depends on films and caulk to stay tight. An ICF wall has no cavity to fail. The result is a home that holds temperature with less mechanical effort, stays dramatically quieter inside, resists fire and storm loads, and doesn't accumulate the rot and drafts that age a framed house.

Verify CCB #245102 Or call (541) 400-1008→

Service areas

Working across the Columbia River Gorge.

Owner-led across three primary zones, serving the full Gorge on both sides of the river.

Primary zone

White Salmon

White Salmon is home base — The ICF Guys build from the same bluff-top town they live in, with the shop, the crew, and most of the portfolio within a short drive. Hillside lots, river views, and Gorge wind are the local conditions, and insulated concrete walls are a direct answer to all three.

Visit White Salmon

Primary zone

Hood River

Hood River sits directly across the bridge from home base, and Oregon-side builds run under CCB #245102 with the same crew and the same forming system. The valley's mix of orchard acreage, hillside view lots, and in-town parcels all build well in insulated concrete — especially where wind exposure and summer heat argue for a wall with real thermal mass.

Visit Hood River

Primary zone

The Dalles

The Dalles is the east Gorge's working city — hotter, drier, and windier than the river towns upstream, with basalt never far below the topsoil. ICF walls earn their keep here twice: summer heat stays outside, and the structure anchors solidly into ground that punishes shortcuts.

Visit The Dalles

Also serving

From the jobsite

Follow the builds.

@the_icf_guys on Instagram