Finishing touches around Septic

I'm finding there is a lot of work for me between subs.  This doesn't look like much, but I spent quite a few hours with a shovel leveling the path down to the Septic drain field from the mounds of dirt that had piled up, especially around the trees (where I didn't want it to set/compact and choke out the roots).

And the risers where installed on the Septic tank.  The final touch for me is to place the remaining mound of dirt around the Septic tank back in place over it.  And yes, that Pine is gonna die :)

Oh, and I need to build a more permanent berm down by the D-box, for now it's just a mound of dirt to direct rain water around it.

Septic Installed

Long day.  Septic installation did complete right before darkness today in time for Foundation meeting in the morning...

Well & Septic Installation

Well was drilled to 425 feet and was able to achieve 13.5 gallons/minute at which point we called it.  I was hoping to get 15 g/m, but anything 10+ should be plenty and the cost didn't seem to justify drilling deeper anymore.

Septic installer showed up and started, I'm hopeful that he will complete the installation including drain field, D-box and tank by EOD tomorrow (because foundation trucks are scheduled to show up the following morning ;-).

A couple other things happened as well, the temporary electric pole was installed and inspection called in for, and probably most importantly, the construction loan was finally signed and closed so that I can pay people ;-)

Well Installation

Well drilling started today.  Pretty massive truck on site to do the drilling...

And builder permit box up as well as porta potty dropped off...

Rain Delay

Well, we are on rain delay.  Well and septic were scheduled to be installed early this week, and all we've had is rain.  Looks like it might just dry up enough to start both on Tuesday.  So if all goes well and we don't get more rain, that's next up on the schedule.

In the mean time, we finally got the building permit approved (needed before foundation start) and the bank construction loan is finally approved and scheduled to be closed on Wed.

And for fun, one of my favorite trees on the lot.  The picture just doesn't do the scale justice.  That tree is MASSIVE when you are standing next to it.

Deck Planning

Nothing happening at the site this weekend, so I spent some time staking and figuring out how our tree house (the 3 story deck) will sit on the property in relation to the trees.  We decided against a concrete patio for the basement walk out because there would be a 4 foot drop at the back of the patio.  So instead, it will be a framed deck, with a 1st floor framed deck covering it, and a partial 2nd floor deck for our master bedroom walk out.

I wanted the deck close to the trees to get that tree house feel, and looks like I will get it :)  Hopefully I won't have to take any more down.

And as a reminder, this is how the back of the house plans look.  Although given the changes to not have a concrete patio, we will just use hardi plank siding (no brick in the back) and the columns will just be PT lumber (not brick).

Exterior Choices

We spent today looking at brick, stone (not shown) and hardi color choices.  This was a close match we liked, but might not be the final choices.

The hardi siding will be a lighter grey, trim will be white, and the shutters black, and the roofing dark grey/black.

This is a brick choice (or something close to it) that we like:

Surveyor

Surveyor was out today staking the house with a few points in preparation for excavation.

Driveway

Crusher run put in place to support Well and Septic trucks scheduled for next week.  Ultimately the driveway will have to be redone at the end of the project, but should be similar...

Site Clearing Day 2

Getting there, most of the trees have been clear and now there is just touch up work to do...

The driveway...

And big boy toys ;-) ...

Site Clearing

Finally some "real" progress.  Site clearing has begun...

Site Planning

A lot has been happening the past month, unfortunately most is nothing to look at :)  This includes getting the construction loan, bids and doing a lot of site planning.  We are inching toward finally breaking ground and in preparation planning where to clear the lot.  The house corners have been staked and I finished flagging off the locations today for the house, well, septic and driveway.  It will be something similar to this:

And for fun, here are the staked house corners:

And a shot of the walk way from the house site to the septic field marked off: