WHAT DO OUR HOMEOWNERS SAY?
When we first started to design our home, we were working with another builder, but quickly realized that they were not the right builder for us. We wanted a builder who truly understood the details of ICF construction and would be willing to work with us to build a fully custom home on a small and challenging lot. Gene, Gina, Tim and Lisa definitely delivered. There were challenges due to the lot and delays in getting setback information from the city, but with Gene's help, we got through those. There were also challenges due to supply chain delays and COVID affecting sub-contractors, but we were kept in the loop about those as well. GBC was also very helpful when there were any issues with a sub-contractor that needed to be resolved. GBC was very respectful of our neighbors and the impact that construction would have on them.
The result is better than we expected. Our home is comfortable, cozy and even nicer than we hoped!
Regarding ICF construction: this is our second ICF home. A family member bought our first one which tells you how much we value the many, many benefits of ICF construction. Gene can explain those benefits far better than we can, but we greatly appreciate the result - a comfortable, safe, solid home. Eric & Annette, Menasha
An absolutely wonderful company to work with. Gene, Gina and all the sub-contractors were very helpful and considerate during our entire building process. We have a beautiful, energy efficient home and could not have asked for more. Gene worked with us every step of the way during construction. Prior to beginning the build, he made sure we understood ICF construction, our budget, and the approximate time line. We were able to see where every dollar went. Every sub-contractor was easy to work with and listened to us. All questions and concerns were dealt with immediately. The end result is we have a beautiful, quality, well built, energy efficient ICF home. Martha and Tom, Fond du Lac
I loved working with Gene Becker. He helped with everything involved in building. He gave good advice and truly has the customer's best interest at heart when making suggestions. If I had to do it all over again, he would be the first person I would call. Carolyn, Appleton
We have been living in an ICF home for 20 years now. It was very innovative for this area at the time, but, as we have discovered, it was the best way to go and have not regretted our decision for one second. We're not planning on building another house, but if we did, we would definitely do it again and Gene was super to work with - and now he's got all the more experience under his belt! There are so many good features that we love, I might forget to mention them all! Sound proof, steady temps indoors, low heating and cooling bills, hardly any bugs in the house, and NEVER a mouse in the house! I love how the thick walls create a deep windowsill - I take the beauty of that for granted until I notice in someone else's house how thin theirs are! Our basement area is finished and never, ever have we experienced any problems with dampness - it's super comfortable down there. I feel safe and secure when the wind is blowing hard outside (which I often don't even notice!). We get a discount on our homeowners insurance due to the fact that the walls are concrete up to the ceiling. I feel that the fire risk is a lot lower, and the insurance company obviously agrees. The house looks like any other except for the deep windowsills inside (did I mention those are awesome!). Take the plunge and build one - you won't regret it! Bonnie, Manawa
Great Building Concepts did a great job building our ICF house. Gene answered all of our questions and was a pleasure to work with. I would recommend him to anyone. And, when we had three hot days in a row recently, I thought my wife had turned on the air conditioning because the house was still nice and cool. I checked on the third day and was shocked to see that it hadn't been turned on at all yet! David, Menasha
When we first met Gene, we instantly felt a kinship! He was open and honest during the entire building experience. Very professional and delivered a product that will last a lifetime! We absolutely love our new home. Great Building Concepts is all you need for a solid built home and an affordable price! Highly recommend Gene and his crew of skilled professionals to get the job done! Sandy, Suring
Our home building project with Gene convinced my father, who was a builder for 50 years, that there IS a better way to build. Connie and Don, Hortonville
Thank you, Great Building Concepts and all of the subcontractors for creating our forever home! A place where we get to watch our children grow! Our home is energy efficient with being ICF, we have absolutely no regrets with this choice. Every day we wake up and can’t believe what we accomplished, thank you for helping us build our beautiful home. Tiffany, Ripon
My ICF house is very quiet. I live close to the airport, and if the windows are closed, I never even hear the planes taking off. Carolyn, Appleton
Gene and his team built our extremely energy efficient ICF home 8 years ago. I recently called to have my 500 gallon LP tank filled, and the gentleman couldn’t understand that we only had our tank filled once a year. He said, “No way, you must burn w/wood or use a pellet stove”. I said “No.” I told him if he didn’t believe me, he could come out and see our house. :) After 8 years of living here, we have been so grateful to have hired Gene to help us with difficult decisions during the building process. He offered helpful, professional assistance that made the whole process come together easily. Yes, I’m bragging about him...because that is how satisfied we are with his work. Gene went above and beyond with what we expected!! He met our budget and ensured deadlines were met! He and his team were Excellent!! Susan, Shiocton
I couldn't believe that just by adjusting my design I could significantly lower my costs and increase energy efficiency. Allan, Princeton
It is comforting to know that with bad weather approaching and my kids home alone, that we live in a ICF house. Kind of makes it worth the investment right there. Jake, Weyauwega
I almost never use my air conditioner in the summer. While my neighbor's A/C is running my ICF house stays cool and comfortable for days even in the hottest weather. Also, my entire life I have had a fear of tornados, I used to have recurring nightmares about them. Since I've been living in this Insulated Concrete Form house, I now feel 100% safe when storms roll through. Carolyn, Appleton
We built our house and horse barn out of ICF’s. Not only are we getting the benefits out of our house, with the lower heating and cooling bills, the horses are benefiting as well. They stay more comfortable in the summer and we don’t have to put blankets on them any more in the winter months. We live just off of Hwy 10, which is pretty busy, and we don’t even hear the traffic noise.
Every industry in the world has changed except the home-building industry. I thought "there has got to be something out there that is better and more efficient than building with wood." We found it with ICF: no moldy musty smells, no drafts, quiet, and comfortable at an affordable price. Gene really knows his stuff.
Charles, Dale
I can shut off the heat in my ICF cabin up north in the winter and not drain the pipes and yet nothing freezes. Steve, Mountain
Gene and his team do excellent work. They walk alongside you and communicate every step of the way. The professionals GBC works with treat every job like it's their own. A++ Jacob, Hortonville
Our 3,200 sq ft ICF house is heated effortlessly with a 36,000 BTU Geothermal Heat Pump. I don’t understand why anyone would build using anything but ICF. Mike, Green Bay
We had a wonderful build experience and everyone was extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. Kim, Ripon
Gene and crew made some improvements to our farm house and barn while they were between home construction projects. They provided insulation solutions for our home, and structural solutions for our barn. Both were done exceptionally well. Obviously they knew what to do. The results are on display each day as our home is warmer when it needs to be, and cooler when it needs to be. Our barn has new 6x6 white oak posts in place where the originals were, footings beneath them, and some ingenious rods in the upper structure giving the original timber framing a little help. I think about what a nice job they did and share the story to our guests. Thanks, great job! Steve, Hortonville
