what are these still doing here?

After all that weighing of options, things took a turn. To see if the mulching method was cost-effective, we got a bid from a septic guy who also does stump clearing. It turned out it wouldn't be a good idea to have the guy mulch and then have to clear the septic area and house site of stumps, so my septic guy was going to bid on clearing the whole site down to the dirt. He said if I could get someone to clear the trees (for pulp) then his clearing bid would be lower because he wouldn't have to haul all those logs. I call a mulch company to see if they will buy the trees, the owner comes out and gives me a competitive price on clearing the whole lot. I like this option because he will be careful for the surrounding trees, has the equipment to get the job done, and can do it early next week. yay! So my next entry will have pictures of the clearing.

In all this, we've decided to postpone the septic installation, because the bids are coming in high and Rob is going to explore doing it himself. Unless we can get a better price from someone. So now I'm taking bids on the foundation, trying to stay one step ahead...

The really good news is that I get to pick up my two pygmy goats this weekend. That's some happiness!

they're just trees...

Where did I get the idea it would be so quick and easy to have the lot cleared? We just had the last clearing guy come look at the property, so it has been a whole week of showing the lot and getting bids. Here's how they stack up:

#1 is a tree cutter. He really just cuts trees, doesn't really clear whole lots usually. The advantage to that is he would take each tree individually without damaging the surrounding trees, and encouraged me to leave a couple of mimosa's and some wax myrtles. The downside is he wouldn't take the stumps or root mat. His bid was $9000, if he didn't have to haul away the chipped up brush.

#2 is a professional site clearer. Business cards, nice written bid - he knew what he was doing. He had the equipment and the know-how. Upside - he's a pro. Downside - he wasn't too concerned about possible damage to surrounding trees, and a high overhead. His bid was $6500.

#3 is the guy recommended by our friend who put a modular in this subdivision earlier this year. This guy just grabs the trees, shakes out the dirt, and bulldozes everything. His good points - he was cheaper. But we know he would take some supervising to not just rip up the lot. His price: $4500. A thousand more than the price we had invented based on not much.

#4 is my hope. There's a trend to low impact lot clearing. This guy does the local parks. He has these machines with wide treads that just chew up the trees, brush and pinestraw, grind the stumps down to ground level, and leave behind a fluffy mulch. You can grow grass on it within a year. He also called a friend of his who will probably remove the trees for no cost because he will sell them for pulp, and this will bring down the cost of mulching what's left behind. You can see the definite benefit to using this guy - low impact, great ground left behind, no haul-away costs. Downside - the stumps would have to be cleared by someone for the septic lines, for an additional cost. He's going to call Monday morning with his price. I really hope its lower than Mr Rip-it-up, and low enough to justify paying someone to remove some of the stumps. If his friend comes and takes the trees at no cost to us, it may lower this bid to an acceptable level.

And that's more than you ever wanted to know about the options in lot-clearing.

The mosquitos are incredible out there lately. I saw an eastern box turtle the other day. There are crab-spider webs EVERYWHERE!

not so much

I wish I had more report. I'm in the process of finding a site clearer. One guy came out and walked our outline, but wants me to use flagging spray so he can get a better idea of the size of the area. I think he is primarily a tree cutter, so this may be a big job for him, but it gives him the nice attitude of being careful of surrounding trees, and leaving trees like wax myrtles and mimosas. I was supposed to meet another guy out there this morning, but his kid got sick and needed him. He's the one that was recommended by a friend, so I'm counting on using his bid as a benchmark. Later today I should hear from him, and from a guy who is more 'environmentally friendly'. Its a trend now - using tractors with wide tread to minimize damage, and using machines that cut and grind so you are left with a mulch bed and no haul-away. Nice idea, but I suspect he'll be pricey. We are eager now to have the clearing done so we can really see the site.

All that to say, there's nothing going on at the moment. Waiting to hear from these guys so we can meet at the site for bids, waiting for 84 Lumber to call to say they have my price list, waiting to get the final zoning permit so I can apply for the construction permit...

I've got a plan...

Here is the final rendering of the plans. We rearranged the bathroom and closets that are around the master bedroom, and had the designer specify the windows that we think we will use. He also shows the screened porch. Even though we rechecked the plans yesterday and had him make a few more changes, I saw today that we forgot the window in the second bathroom, and in the dining room. Guess I'll have to buy a red pencil...
Feel free to comment or ask questions. I wish you could see where this is going to be on the lot, and the neat view that will be out of the (not indicated) dining room window.
So tomorrow I go to apply for the construction permit. And maybe tomorrow after Rob gets off work, we'll be able to stake out where we want cleared so I can get some bids on that. Then I can show the views better, after the trees aren't in the way.
If you're keeping track, the closing cost on the land was $8119. The permits should only be a few hundred, if I'm reading the form right. Then I'll call and see about temporary electricity, and we have to get a Port-o-Potty. Maybe tomorrow I can drop the plans at 84 Lumber for a bid on materials.

back and forth

Well, I said I was moving the blog, but the other one on The Owner Builder site is not as nice as this one, so you can keep checking here for updates.

Latest news is that today (Tuesday) we are closing on the land at 1:00, and then picking up the modified house plans from the designer! woohoo! That means we are now on track to outline our yard, get bids on clearing, and put together the site plan for the final zoning permit. We can also take the plans to 84 Lumber to get a 'take-off' (list of supplies needed) so we can get bids on the building supplies. Now, finally, we can start moving through a list of 'to-do's, and start seeing some things get done. I've got a dry-erase board and space to hang a copy of the plans.

My feeling is it will take the school year to get finished enough to move, which is good for the boys. We're also pretty sure we will sell the house we are in to get enough money to really finish the house, including the deck and the screened porch, landscaping, and probably includes a boat. Just for decoration ya know. 50' of wooden sculpture that just happens to float... oh well. As long as I get my pygmy goats and a dog...