Digging is done

The excavator finished digging for the foundation. The builder is setting up the forms on Monday (April 26th). We decided to go with the poured foundation versus blocks. 10' basement ceiling meant over 14 courses of blocks and extra bracing, costing same as pouring concrete.

It will be a huge basement, I love it!

We're putting in a 60" double hung door at the bottom of the stairs from the garage to the basement. The picture below shows what the basement will look like viewed from that door.

I am from out West and not used to this shale rock found around here. The foundation will be really solid sitting on all this rock.

My tractor showed up!!!

I decided to take adavantage of Kubota's 0% financing. The land needs a lot of work before the grass can go in not to mention the long driveway. The local dealer gave me a great deal on this tractor because it had been in his inventory for awhile. Kubota L3940 HST with BH92 backhoe.

I love this combo!

Kubota redesigned this backhoe to allow either a hydraulic or mechanical thumb. This comes off in minutes to allow rear implements such as mower or snow blade.

That backhoe seat looks comfy.

It's not your grandpa's tractor!

Driveway and basement

Here it is, 3/4 of the basement dug out. The basement will have 10 foot ceiling and we hit major rocks. I think it's safe to say the foundation will be very strong. The excavator is turning out to be a very good guy to work with. He shows up on time, great communications, easy going.

Here is the driveway looking out from where the garage will be towards the street.

Driveway looking from the street.

Clearing the driveway

Mike started stripping the topsoil where the house will go. We'll save that good stuff and use it to backfill so the grass can grow.

That's more like it

While digging, we found some neat old bottles buried in the ditch

Driveway starting to take shape

No need for chainsaws, just push them over!

Victims lying everywhere

Dozer and the excavator making their way to the lot

How the insides will look

There is an 1800 unfinished basement where my woodshop will go. It will have a 10 foot ceilling. 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath, living room, family room, recroom upstairs. Unfinished hobby room above the garage.

Excavation starts on Tuesday

The excavation starts on Tuesday. We'll start with putting in the driveway.

Here is how the front and back will look.

Aerial view of the land

We own the land!

We closed on the land few weeks ago, 8.6 acres in Freedom, PA.

I'd say about 4 acres is fairly level and cleared. The rest are hills but we do have a creek at the north and east of the property. We're very excited!