Audio interview with Mr. and Mrs. Galpin about the construction of their ICF beachfront home, providing insights about the process.

Audio Transcript

Tamanna 00:00

Hello everyone, this is Tamanna and today we’re joined by Mr. Steve Galpin and Mrs. Sylvia Galpin who turned their dream of a coastal home into a stunning reality. 

What’s your favourite feature or space in this house and why?

Steve Galpin 00:14

I guess the space, you know, with having the house very good forward you have like almost 180 degree view of the ocean. It’s pretty panoramic and then the back part of the property is, you know, quite quite large and as it’s almost like it’s starting to turn into a large garden back there. It’s starting to look like a little sanctuary. 

Sylvia Galpin 00:46

It’s not the fishbowl that it was in the beginning but…

Steve Galpin 00:49

yes. So yeah and of course the kitchen and the living, the downstairs living area is large and it’s a nice area to be in, you know, it’s welcoming I think

Tamanna 01:06

How important was it to have a clear vision and a plan before starting the construction? 

Sylvia Galpin 01:12

Well, I think we can all hope that we have all the details nailed but it’s not a realistic. It never happens but it would be a good idea to have as much organized and planned out as possible to reduce your stress loads.

Steve Galpin 01:32

Yeah,  it’s very stressful to build a house and I think to build a house like this, we have similar tastes which has really helped because what she likes I like and it’s easy. If your tastes are different then it’s going to be really difficult. You have to be fairly fluid because some things are not available. You like them, but you can’t get them, you like them, but they’re too expensive. So you’ve got to be fluid and be able to take a step back and compromise somewhat because…

Sylvia Galpin 02:16

…you’re not going to have everything you want and also when it comes to like when you don’t have an architect design it and have every detail figured out, you have to understand that the engineers will come to the table and just say no, not quite, got to change a few things and dimensions mostly.

Steve Galpin 02:43

I’d say also costs always go up, you know, the minute you think that you’ve any project, I haven’t done a lot of building and houses and stuff, but any project I’ve ever done double it, what do you think it’s going to cost double it, it’ll go a good rule of thumb.

Sylvia Galpin 03:01

Nowadays, it’s actually triple it!