Landmark Builders of Blue Springs, Inc. - In the News

The following article by Sandy Turner appeared in the "Welcome Home" section of The Independence Examiner, October 11, 2007:

"Our home is our shelter, our refuge - the place we go when we want to be safe. But are we? Will it protect us from tornadoes, fires or pollutants floating in the air while saving on utility bills? A house that promises to do all that and more is being built by Greg Andachter in Cardinal Woods West in Blue Springs. " The timing is right to begin building these homes," Andachter said who has been building in eastern Jackson County for the past 22 years and owns Landmark Builders. "With the tornado destruction we just witnessed in Greensboro and the cost of energy rising it's time to start building green." Building green while meeting the stringent Energy Star efficient codes in Missouri, Andachter has begun building one of the first Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF) homes in the area. "

"From the outside of the home you would never know the difference," Andachter said. "But from the inside you can rest assured you are safe." The ICF homes are built with concrete forms instead of the traditional wood beams with an exterior in any finish such as stucco, siding or brick. Mark England, FormCast Wall Systems representative reports that the ICF homes can save homeowners 50-70 percent on their electric, heating and cooling bills. "

"The concept of building an ICF home has been around for nearly 30 years," England said. "It's now coming to the forefront as homeowners are looking for ways to conserve energy, cut costs on their utility bills and have a guarantee that they are safe from any outside elements."

"An ICF home can be designed in any style and because concrete can take any shape or form it can have a variety of curves and angles. " A common misconception about ICF homes is that they will feel cold like a warehouse since its being made out of concrete," England said. "Once the interior walls and exterior is applied to the house - it's just like any other home, with the exception that it can withstand tornadoes, is virtually soundproof and will keep airborne dust and allergens out."

"With massive walls of concrete serving as the insulation to the house, rodents, ants or insects have no way to enter and without empty cavities within the walls no place to nest as well as the elimination of worries about mold or mildew. "

"Another factor to consider when living in an ICF home is that your family won't be exposed to the chemicals that are used when building a typical home because it's all concrete," Andachter said. Building ICF homes is common in Canada and as it makes its way to the U.S. Andachter is excited to be on the cutting-edge of this new way to build energy efficient homes. "

"I will guarantee that homeowners will save between 50-70 percent on their heating and cooling bills. If you're going to invest in a home you'll be getting a return almost immediately with an ICF home." Using an analogy of buying a car, Andachter asks - if you are going to buy a car and the salesman suggests for 10 percent more would you like a car that can guarantee you will not be hurt if in an accident - wouldn't it be worth it?

"Angie Weichert of Weichert Realtors and Showcase Homes in Blue Springs says that the homes are very affordable and that the builders are not marking up the price because of the concrete components. " We anticipate the ICF homes quickly becoming a hot commodity in Eastern Jackson County. Our goal right now is to educate the public of all the benefits to living in an ICF home." (Article by Sandy Turner - October 11, 2007)

Return to Previous Page



Landmark Builders of Blue Springs, Inc. - In the News The following article by Sandy Turner appeared in the "Welcome Home" section of The Independence Examiner, October 11, 2007: "Our home is our shelter, our refuge - the place we go when we want to be safe. But are we? Will it protect us from tornadoes, fires or pollutants floating in the air while saving on utility bills? A house that promises to do all that and more is being built by Greg Andachter in Cardinal Woods West in Blue Springs. " The timing is right to begin building these homes," Andachter said who has been building in eastern Jackson County for the past 22 years and owns Landmark Builders. "With the tornado destruction we just witnessed in Greensboro and the cost of energy rising it's time to start building green." Building green while meeting the stringent Energy Star efficient codes in Missouri, Andachter has begun building one of the first Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF) homes in the area. " "From the outside of the home you would never know the difference," Andachter said. "But from the inside you can rest assured you are safe." The ICF homes are built with concrete forms instead of the traditional wood beams with an exterior in any finish such as stucco, siding or brick. Mark England, FormCast Wall Systems representative reports that the ICF homes can save homeowners 50-70 percent on their electric, heating and cooling bills. " "The concept of building an ICF home has been around for nearly 30 years," England said. "It's now coming to the forefront as homeowners are looking for ways to conserve energy, cut costs on their utility bills and have a guarantee that they are safe from any outside elements." "An ICF home can be designed in any style and because concrete can take any shape or form it can have a variety of curves and angles. " A common misconception about ICF homes is that they will feel cold like a warehouse since its being made out of concrete," England said. "Once the interior walls and exterior is applied to the house - it's just like any other home, with the exception that it can withstand tornadoes, is virtually soundproof and will keep airborne dust and allergens out." "With massive walls of concrete serving as the insulation to the house, rodents, ants or insects have no way to enter and without empty cavities within the walls no place to nest as well as the elimination of worries about mold or mildew. " "Another factor to consider when living in an ICF home is that your family won't be exposed to the chemicals that are used when building a typical home because it's all concrete," Andachter said. Building ICF homes is common in Canada and as it makes its way to the U.S. Andachter is excited to be on the cutting-edge of this new way to build energy efficient homes. " "I will guarantee that homeowners will save between 50-70 percent on their heating and cooling bills. If you're going to invest in a home you'll be getting a return almost immediately with an ICF home." Using an analogy of buying a car, Andachter asks - if you are going to buy a car and the salesman suggests for 10 percent more would you like a car that can guarantee you will not be hurt if in an accident - wouldn't it be worth it? "Angie Weichert of Weichert Realtors and Showcase Homes in Blue Springs says that the homes are very affordable and that the builders are not marking up the price because of the concrete components. " We anticipate the ICF homes quickly becoming a hot commodity in Eastern Jackson County. Our goal right now is to educate the public of all the benefits to living in an ICF home." (Article by Sandy Turner - October 11, 2007) Return to Previous Page
Landmark Builders of Blue Springs, Inc. 1201 NW Jefferson, Suite E Blue Springs, Missouri 64015 Tel: (816) 228-1016; Fax: (816) 224-1104