Terra-Dome Earth Shelter Build

[carpolisher]

Mike,
One thing I found out about Oklahoma is that the Insurance is very high, at least in Sequoyah County. From what I have been told this is because a larger crowd of people in this county don't have a problem with burning their homes or wrecking their vehicles for finical reasons.

We had a 12 month builders risk policy fro Donegal. Six months into the build an agent for the underwriter shows up to take some photos. A couple weeks later we get notice stating they do not wish to insurance us after the builders policy expires, stating that they were misled when they discovered it was an earth sheltered. From the get go I told my agent it was a concrete earth home.

Terra Dome recommended Farmers. They rejected the application because you couldn't see the roof. Finally Erie Insurance stepped up an came on board for us, but offered no discounts for the concrete structure. Bottom line these homes can be next to impossible to insure due to the ignorance of most insurance companies.

Any how Sam thumbs up on your work and progress. Glad to help out with the epro stuff. FYI...... We moved in the last week in November but are by no means finished. High humidity has been a challenge. Insulating exposed outside walls and penetrations helped there but need to get the ventilation system operational. On a plus note The hydronic floor system only calls for heat at night and stays @ 70 during the day.

Here are some pics and keep up your good work.

Bob

 

[tony Cecil]

It would seem to me, if a person did not have a mortgage, then the only insurance I would think a person needs would be liability for the property....Honestly something as bullet proof as your homes, I would just have a good fire suppressant system over the stove, and not worry any more....Tony

 

[mjncad]

The problem is that paper pushing bureaucrats who don't understand alternative construction methods would rather insure a house that burns versus one that won't.

 

[mojoinco]

Sam, it looks like you are using the high density foam for the door frames. Any concern over them bowing as the foam sets? I've seen it take a up to a couple of weeks to finish expanding.

 

[SamWalton]

We used fiberglass insulation loosly packed and many shims to lock the door frame in place

 

[SamWalton]

We have finished installing out three outside doors and have began installing the wall between the garage and great room which has the 33 conduit junction box and the 200 amp circuit breaker panel. Also you can see our big snow storm.

 

[tommu56]

That looks like a lot of pipes to go in a panel bottom.
Are you running them directly in to the bottom of the panel or in a piece of trough or wire way then to the panel?

tom

 

[mjncad]

Also you can see our big snow storm.

Mid mountain at the Steamboat Springs, Colorado ski area has 210" of the white crap.

You're getting there Sam with the house construction.

 

[jinman]

Also you can see our big snow storm.

Hey Sam! In that picture of the snow, I see your stack of firewood right beside the house. Aren't you afraid of termites?:laughing:

 

[sajurcaju]

We have finished installing out three outside doors and have began installing the wall between the garage and great room which has the 33 conduit junction box and the 200 amp circuit breaker panel. Also you can see our big snow storm.

Here's what our electrician did. You probably have this all figured out already.
Good progress.

Steve
Maine