So I am starting my official build post...Finally. I purchased 18 acres in May of this year in NW PA approximately 1 hour from my perminant residence. When looking for property this was one of the main things that I looked for, I didn't want to be too far away from home but far enough... I wanted a wooded property, which is what I found. The 18 acres is about 17 1/2 acres of woods, mostly Hemlock Trees, with except where I plan to build the cabin there are some small cherry, ash, oak and other unknown trees. This area is where I will be clearing out to constuct my cabin. Currently, I have a camper on the property which we have been staying, while I have been doing site prep.
Since I purchased he property, I have installed a 350 ft driveway to get back to where we will build. I had the electric brought on to the property as far back as the electric company would bring it. It ended up being 350 ft from the roadway pole, so approximately 300 ft onto my property. I had an electrician friend of mine come and hook up the electric so that I could plug the camper in. Once this was installed it was a huge comfort, no more generator for power. I am currently clearing the the area where the camp will be, waiting for my water well to be installed which will be hopefully the first week of October (hes really busy right now) and then will be installing the septic. My hope is to be able to start to construct the cabin in late April/ early May 2013. I will be using the post/pier foundation and extending the 20x30 plans to 40 ft.
I am looking forward to the getting the help and support I need from the forum and I will be posting pictures soon. Thanks for all of your help so far and allowing me to be a part of a great forum. ;D
(https://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r578/Itpdk9/Cabin/764d8154.jpg)
new to me ford 8n
(https://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r578/Itpdk9/Cabin/c83190d2.jpg)
installing driveway
(https://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r578/Itpdk9/Cabin/f8283845.jpg)
driveway install
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current driveway picture, still need to add topcoat
(https://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r578/Itpdk9/Cabin/1b7d8c1e.jpg)
build site before clearing trees
first attempt to post pictures and I messed it up d* hopefully one of the mods can fix it...
(https://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r578/Itpdk9/Cabin/6cd1a8c1.jpg)
starting to clear the future cabin site
itpdk9, you should see a "modify" button, top right of your messages. You can use that to edit that. I've no time to edit it today.
Quote from: MountainDon on August 12, 2012, 09:01:29 AM
itpdk9, you should see a "modify" button, top right of your messages. You can use that to edit that. I've no time to edit it today.
Thanks mountaindon, i couldn't figure out how to do it. appreciate the help ;D
(https://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r578/Itpdk9/Cabin/bef2043d.jpg)
installing fence and farm gate
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me and my helpers...
Couple things one the one hour drives is really cool. I have been doing the two hour shuffle literally my whole 60 years. Born into it. The two even hours gets long sometimes.
Has your property been perk tested? I would suggested that you get the septic in first. What is underground will dictate where put stuff above ground. However with 18 acres it should fit somewhere. Long story there with our place. Everywhere we tried to put our septic would not work!
The other 300 ft of electrical are you planing underground? You are lucky they went that far Idaho Power does like 100 ft.
Love the old Ford they were and are still a good little tractor to have around.
If it we me I would think about pouring a footing and walls rather than Pier and Post. To me that is a lot quicker and easier especially a 20 X 40 which is a very nice size cabin and should look very nice nestled in to the trees there.
Great looking crew. Looks like a great project.
rick- property was perked so that is a go... I will have about 75 feet of underground to where cabin will be, so shouldn't be that bad. The 52 8n runs like its brand new, pretty amazing what that thing will do for being 60 yrs old reminds me alot of my dad lol. The hour drive is sooo nice, I was able to head up yesterday after work, put 4 hours in and still able to get home to put the kids to bed. Makes it nice. Just far enough to get away from the stress but close enough, have some great hunting there two, got 3 bears on my trail cam yesterday, gotta put the pictures up pretty cool. Thanks for the comments.
Love that tractor! We had one just like it, came in handy when we built on our property. Had to sell it when we moved :-\Your property is beautiful (as are your kids ;D)
Cathy
w* Beautiful property & family! Looking forward to seeing your progress :)
Great Tractor and looks like the land is going to be nice as well.
I've got the same sort of thing going. It is about 50 from the rent house to the property. About three days a week I go up after work and then the whole weekend I stay in the camper.
Austin
I went up to the property yesterday and moved the camper out so that could continue to clear out the trees for the building site. I went back up today with a friend of mine who cuts trees for a living. I had a bunch of ash trees that needed removed. We are having a real problem here with our ash trees dying because of the ash borer beetles. They are slowly killing off all the ash trees. Also took a bunch of other trees. It really opened up the area. I am going to go back up in two weeks and clean up. Just dropped them and cut the limbs off. I shouldn't ever want for firewood again. I have sooo much now, just gotta take the splitter up and get to work.
I also picked up a 12 inch auger bit to compliment the 9 inch bit I already have for the auger that attaches to the ol 8n. Hopefully I can get the site cleaned up and start staking out where the cabin will be since now I have the room for it. It really brought in the sunlight cutting all the trees down, going to be really nice...someday. ;)
Any further progress?
An update to my progress is that I got all the components for my septic system and am waiting to get it installed probably within the next two weeks. I am also waiting on the well install which is supposed to be sometime in October need to get ahold of the driller to see how his schedule is. I did a lot more lot clearing and have been burning a bunch of brush.
I am also in the process of buying a new tractor, have been doing a bunch of research and actually found a member here, boondoc on the tractorbynet.com forum. Got a ton of great info there and have pretty much settled on a Kubota B3200 with front end loader and backhoe which will come in SOOOO handy at the property. I cannot wait. I am probably going to the dealer tomorrow to finalize the purchase.
So thanks to all who are following, I will try and get some pictures up of my current progress and I will definitely show off my tractor when I take delivery.
Any updates or pictures to post?
hello again,
Its been a while but I have been busy... I got my well and septic in place. I also just this past week got my Cabin Affidavit (building permit) so I am good to build as soon as the weather breaks here.
I am going to upload a picture of the rough plans that I have drawn up. If you all could look and let me know what you think. I took the floor plan from Mogie and am going to have a full second floor. The steps I was going to try and use a full set, I know this will take up more space but I don't really like the idea of the turned steps on the landing, I have little ones and don't want them taking a header down them. So here is the picture, I am open for your suggestions.
(https://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r578/Itpdk9/D29357FC-6116-4C2C-ADE9-7054E1A4A46E-12272-00000E320E9C5452.jpg)
A couple more pictures...
This is of site cleared with septic installed. The porch will be close to where the camper from this direction you will be looking at the gable end.
(https://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r578/Itpdk9/52CCBDE7-88DB-41F0-A7E3-44F9B9E52693-12272-00000E35F5EF24E0.jpg)
New Toy...
(https://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r578/Itpdk9/AC1A2473-6A3B-46D1-862D-40A91A4C8697-12272-00000E35D0096AD4.jpg)
Just a note, double check the window height behind the queen bed, I think the sill is about 18" off the floor with a 54" usually.
Quote from: Don_P on January 12, 2013, 07:18:26 PM
Just a note, double check the window height behind the queen bed, I think the sill is about 18" off the floor with a 54" usually.
Thanks Don_P. I have them in my house now and they are set at 24 inches here, with 8 foot ceilings. I realize that the bed will be blocking it but it was more for the balance of windows in the front of the cabin. I thought if I went with a smaller window there it would look weird. What are your opinions on this? Thanks ;D
Also, any thoughts on extending the 2x6x10 studs to 2x6x12? Is it worth the extra money per board? I will have a full second floor.
Another question... I wanted to use exposed beams looking up to the second floor, and a T&G flooring upstairs. The problem there is I cannot find wood that will span 20 feet without using a post in the middle somewhere, which I don't want to do. Seems like my only option is to use I-Joists. Opinions??
Would these work 3-1/2 in. x 11-7/8 in. x 20 ft. Glulam and how far could i space them on center if I use 2x6 t&g on the floor above. Would they be able to span the full 20 feet without needing posts in the center of the living space?
Thanks again for your help all.
Check here for 2x joists;
http://www.awc.org/calculators/span/calc/timbercalcstyle.asp
I think you're talking #2 dense SYP or better in 2x12
I have the AITC manual on the shelf or they have their span tables online for the glulams, but I'd be willing to bet the 2x6 decking controls this...4' max span so 4' beam spacing if I recall right. They do make heavier decking that can span further.
edit...PA, check availability if you go 2x lumber. Dougfir (check the spancalc for what grade you would need) may be more common than Southern Yellow Pine in your local market. those are our two strongest commercial species so are best for long spans, then it's a matter of going up through the grades to see if any can handle your span and load.
It depends on the spacing. You can span almost all 2x12 No.2 the 19'-1" @ 12" O/C. I found that with the lower cost of the thinner subfloor sheathing and no center posts, it made the cost difference close to a wash.
I got my take off sheets back from both HD and Lowes Bid Rooms today. I have spent the last 2 weeks every night figuring out materials for the build. Wow have materials increased in price and to my surprise Lowes killed HD prices. I am more loyal to HD as I feel they have better every day prices but their Bid Room gave 9% off compared to HD 5%. Pretty excited to have this part done. My list includes everything except for finish flooring, finish exterior and ceiling for 1st floor(pine T&G).
I also met with my buddy who is a contractor. He is going to set aside the last week of April to help me hopefully get the cabin under roof. I am fairly certain that it can be done in a week. (fingers crossed). Getting really excited just hope the weather breaks and it dries out. I was at the property a few weeks ago and it is really muddy (snow covered now). I will be very happy to have the foundation part done and be off the ground. Well my planning continues... Thanks again for the help along the way
I scored an awesome deal on Craigslist today. Picked up a paslode cf325li framing nailer for 250 bucks...brand new. Awesome deal, they are 399 in HD. Just figured I would share ;D
Nice looking property.
What was it like putting the septic in? Sometimes it's pretty tough in PA.
Any problems getting the cabin affidavit approved. I've thought of going that route myself.
Quote from: archimedes on February 04, 2013, 01:54:17 PM
Nice looking property.
What was it like putting the septic in? Sometimes it's pretty tough in PA.
Any problems getting the cabin affidavit approved. I've thought of going that route myself.
Thank you, septic was no problem because there was one listed on the property already. There is an old cabin on the property that I am in the process of taking down. This cabin had a septic and well listed so it made it a lot easier for me as they were already on the county books. However i cannot find them anywhere on the property. The new septic was installed without any major issues. I have a friend that does it for a living where I live so he brought up his excavator and in a day we had it installed. Not too bad.
I was hesitant going the route of the cabin affidavit at first. Then I spoke with the building inspector who is contracted through the Township. After talking to him, I realized that what he expected vs me building a "cabin" was not what I had in mind. I did not want to have to go through waiting for him to inspect every single stage as he said it would be. That would completely throw off my time frame. I decided to go with the cabin affidavit. No inspections and will save a bunch of money on permits. I will still build structurally to code per se, the stairs will not pass code. However, my family will be sleeping in the cabin so I will make sure it is built correctly. Plus I have a contractor friend with me. They were crazy about the insulation requirements and heating and cooling etc. I am perfectly happy with the cabin affidavit now, it cost me 15 dollars for the county to come assess it when I am done.
Where are you located? in PA?
I forgot to add that I was majorly stressing over getting the cabin affidavit approved. It literally took 10 minutes. The township has a manager that works in the office and two road crew guys. The manager is should add only works on thursdays, so you can see the type of area I was dealing with. The manager was a super nice man, 82 years old, and I was afraid that he wouldn't make it the copier about 10 feet across the room. All the stressing that I did was for not. In and out permit in hand.
Quote from: itpdk9 on February 04, 2013, 02:49:44 PM
I forgot to add that I was majorly stressing over getting the cabin affidavit approved. It literally took 10 minutes. The township has a manager that works in the office and two road crew guys. The manager is should add only works on thursdays, so you can see the type of area I was dealing with. The manager was a super nice man, 82 years old, and I was afraid that he wouldn't make it the copier about 10 feet across the room. All the stressing that I did was for not. In and out permit in hand.
[cool] [cool]
That's good to know. I've been looking NE PA and the septic requiresments there are quite daunting. Apparently the is a very shallow impermeable layer. Septic needs to be above ground and pressured. >:(
The affidavit sounds like the way to go though for a cabin though.
I am getting excited it looks like next week the weather is finally going to break here in PA. I am looking at taking the kubota back to my property the end of the month and starting to drill holes the first weekend in April. Can't wait to get going. All the planning and figuring will finally come to light...
Oh and I also changed my plans again... I will try and get a picture of it up here shortly.
thank you all again for your help and knowledge.
New member here. Also looking to build around the cook forest area. Just in the process of purchasing my property. Hope you don't mind if i follow your progress and ask questions. Did you have to install a sand mound septic system. This is probably what i will need. Thanks in advance
Heading to the property in the morning, to start my build. I am taking delivery of my building materials and will be starting the foundation. I am pretty excited been waiting for this for a while now. ;D I got my well finished last weekend so now I have water on site which is so nice. It is amazing how much you overlook things like water and electric in our everyday lives. The last necessity will be hooking up to the septic which is a bit away. Will be really nice to have a working toilet lol. So I will take a bunch of pictures and post on here. Wish me luck tomorrow ::)
QuoteWill be really nice to have a working toilet lol. So I will take a bunch of pictures and post on here. Wish me luck tomorrow
Will these be before and after shots to prove it works or can we take your word for it? But as I get older I know what you mean, good luck!
Couldn't resist ;D
Hope all goes well, be safe out there.
Don_P... too funny, I guess that didn't come out right, no pun lol.
Had a great day got all my posts in and concreted. I will get my pictures up loaded tonight.
Well here are the pictures that I promised. I will try and get up to date as it has been a busy 10 days.
Posts Set
(https://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r578/Itpdk9/E7749FE9-17CF-47DA-BDCB-F221EE28F97B-4498-00000498010BE437.jpg) (https://s1172.photobucket.com/user/Itpdk9/media/E7749FE9-17CF-47DA-BDCB-F221EE28F97B-4498-00000498010BE437.jpg.html)
Setting the Beams
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Setting the I Joists
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Rim Board and Gravel Underneath in place
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Decking installed
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First Wall going up
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Two walls up
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Setting the 3rd wall
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Of course it poured for 2 days, but this picture is with all 1st floor done and 2nd floor joists in place
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First floor done
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Second floor done, setting the Rafters
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deck posts set and working on rafters still...in the rain.
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Working on deck and rafters done
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It was sooo muddy..
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under roof...
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(https://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r578/Itpdk9/null-99.jpg) (http://[url=https://s1172.photobucket.com/user/Itpdk9/media/null-99.jpg.html)://s1172.photobucket.com/user/Itpdk9/media/null-101.jpg.html](https://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r578/Itpdk9/null-101.jpg)[/URL]
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latests picture
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Very nice build.
Thanks for sharing.
Would you mind sharing what the size of those beams and also the I-Joists are?
Wow, your place is looking great!! I'm looking forward to watching your blog. [cool]
Mo
Quote from: redjhoo on May 06, 2013, 11:46:42 PM
Would you mind sharing what the size of those beams and also the I-Joists are?
Thanks guys... Redjhoo the beams are 3 2x12's w/ 1/2in filler and the I joists are 11 7/8 x 20. The I joists were actually cheaper than the same size dimensional lumber and a lot stronger too. It is amazing the strength that those I joists have for being so flimsy looking lol.
Nice looking build. Can you tell me how your porch posts are connected to your beam below? I can see a connector of some type, but I am not sure what it is. Are the posts also notched on the beam below the decking?
Quote from: drbuilder on May 13, 2013, 02:28:05 PM
Nice looking build. Can you tell me how your porch posts are connected to your beam below? I can see a connector of some type, but I am not sure what it is. Are the posts also notched on the beam below the decking?
Thanks Drbuilder, the porch posts are connected to the decking using blocking underneath and a post cap bracket on top of that. The posts coming out of the ground are notched, and the beam is carriage bolted to the post. It may be hard to see in the picture but the posts in the ground are not exactly lined up with the posts sitting on the deck. Hopefully I answered your questions if not let me know. thanks Scott
[...the porch posts are connected to the decking using blocking underneath and a post cap bracket on top of that. quote...]
I understand. Thanks much.
Well I was able to get up to camp today, I got some more grading done now that it is really drying up. (we had a bunch of rain) I was able to get my utility line dug and my water line run. I am hopefully going to be able to get my friend who is an electrician up there next friday to get my electrical service hooked up in the cabin. I also found an Amish Hemlock mill very close to my camp and I ordered the hemlock for the outside, board and batten. I am really excited about that as it was half as much as I thought it would be, as I had priced it out at a mill closer to home that was a dollar a board foot. The Amish price is 50 cents a board foot. So I am at half of what I thought. BONUS... I also did some laying out of where my walls are going to go for the bedroom and bathroom/mud room. I am ready to frame those up on my next trip. Things are going well, I am happy with where I am. I am also in the process of getting prices for my metal roofing. That is where I am at...
So a lot of my pictures are gone from photobucket, not sure why and it has been forever since I updated here so I figured I would add a few recent pictures....(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/14/43bf616f450215aaef5fc0b8749a92e3.jpg)(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/14/60d479a327e56e66e98f15a921a2d96c.jpg)(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/14/4fe13984ba4bd262a70b3b4b07250ae1.jpg)(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/14/ebd6f745715b36e57617d24ea30d6d08.jpg)(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/14/a0819b4775a62e6e9c0d2b0aa5b66e14.jpg)(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/14/525fdfc143550dc33f0786292a938222.jpg)(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/14/1efefd5bd2c93f62ce2364a3066bdb7a.jpg)(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/14/b6f0b2d6c06414ee0da696dea633e25b.jpg)(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/14/7c01b628aedae4efd9e5c9543c5123c9.jpg)(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/14/5c4653f3c72016c6f75fdd421642254d.jpg)(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/14/4e6f15d9cbc82bf12410ea09338df1df.jpg)(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/14/7807514ad4600ba7181d2348bcbbd6e2.jpg)
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I just had all of the stumps grounded from the 30 trees I took out in front of the cabin. I had to open it up it was too wet and wouldn't dry out. I am in the process now of power raking, adding topsoil and seeding the front.
I have all the drywall hung inside and am paying a local to finish it for me, I did the finishing in the bathroom but for me to do the whole cabin it would take forever and I am trying to get it primed and painted before fall. The place is coming along so nicely, my family love going up on the weekends and it will only get better as I check things off the list.
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