Information update...

....sorry no pictures of my dad working!!!! Just keeping an updated timeline, that's all. I did a lot of work today. I received a list of materials from a lumber yard in the Southern Tier. I can use this to help me finalize my materials list. They also sent me the names of some gentlemen who install metal roofs. I called one of them tonight and talked with him about helping me with the roof installation. I may just wind up having him do it for me. I would just supply the materials.

I also am planning on meeting with my uncle this Thursday to help me estimate exactly the materials I will need and to discuss with him my plans and timeline to see if things seem accurate.

I also had several discussions with several people about the siding and I am hoping I can talk one of the companies in sending me some samples! I will take pictures of them if I get them and post them for you to see.

Building permit application is out and I am expecting an answer relatively soon.

Feed the BEAST!!!

We finally went out and rented a chipper/shredder to get rid of all of the brush piles. The guy at the rental store called it the "BEAST". I can see why. This thing was amazing. We started by putting small branches in it, not sure what it could handle. By the time we were finished, we were putting in entire trees. What a difference it made getting all of the brush out of the way. The site is just about cleared now! I need to move the mulch and do a bit more clean-up and we should be ready to go.

The building permit application goes out this week and hopefully we can get the foundation put in by Memorial Day!

Timmmmber......

On a cold, crisp, gloriously sunny day, my dad and I headed down to the property to finish what we started last week! And did we ever finish. The big maple is down and wow, did it really clear the area out. We took out several other smaller trees that would be in the way in the weeks to come. We have left 5 sections of the tree intact. We left them all about 4 1/2 feet in length and they range in diameter from 8 to 17 inches. I still need to contact a lumber mill to have them cut in 1 and 2 inch slabs.

We plan on next week getting a chipper/shredder and clearing up the huge piles of brush that we have created. Once that is done we will have a better idea on the building site and then just a bit more clean-up to do before the excavators come in.

Sawdust everywhere...

Well, it was opening day of trout season, so the rest of the boys went fishing while my dad and I stayed back to take the maple down. I have included some photos, including a couple of action shots of my dad "in action". We will get out again next week to finish it off and continue to clear the site and get it ready for excavation.

We hope to have the foundation in by the middle of May. We have decided to go with the block wall foundation. The excavation will be done by the guys who put in our pond. We are a little more comfortable dealing with people who we have worked with before. I will also get the building permit application out in the next couple of weeks as well.