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The emperor has no clothes
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« on: July 01, 2023, 11:13:27 AM » |
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I’ve been in AK three weeks now. Last year I had my grandson with me all summer. This year it’s just me and Brenda. (She’s not nearly as good at taking orders) The big push is on this summer to at least get a foundation in. The electric company down here is a pseudo co-op. I got temporary power in last summer. Along with that came a $5,000 deposit along with $1,000 in fees. You get your deposit back if in less than 2 years you can show intent to live here. Our motorhome doesn’t count. Out of the 5 requirements we are only shy a foundation. Being the cheap bastard that I am, I don’t really want to sink a lot into a place that we will likely use 2 or 3 months a year. So, I left Arizona with tools and a cement mixer. Having NO experience using heavy equipment, besides a forklift, I rent an excavator. I think it would count as mini excavator. You get 8 hours of run time for the daily rate. I needed to level off a hill and dig sonotube footings. I had little confidence from Brenda, or myself actually. But, I did pretty good. Spent way too much time finessing the spot until it was necessary. But it worked out. Went a half an hour over for additional fee. Today I will be borrowing my nephews Bobcat to do the finish work. So, to recap my current resume. I added the job title of electrical service engineer last summer. This year has added water well pump installer and heavy equipment operator to my resume. Not to mention Zen meditation practitioner with the substitution of a 61 year old woman on an her phone watching TikTok over a strong 17 year old willing to take orders at the drop of a hat.  Along with my ‘suspect’ decades of experience at chopping up dead animals, I think I have greatly increased my hire ability in the workforce. It’s a cursed shame I’m a broken down old man now. |
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Oldfishguy
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« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2023, 11:20:34 AM » |
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DDT (12)
Member
Posts: 4113
Sometimes ya just gotta go...
Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...
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« Reply #3 on: July 01, 2023, 02:22:42 PM » |
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Rob,
Sounds like an adventurous person unafraid to tackle the unknown! "I can't do that because I've never done that before..." Not something I'd ever expect to hear from you, my friend. You are an impressive 'doer' with your can-do, let's give it a try attitude, and I commend you for that.
Of course, much of the credit will have to go to Brenda... Wives are always responsible for the successes, husbands, on the other hand... Y'all continue to enjoy this time together... I look forward to hearing you explain the joyous feeling you get from finally and successfully completing your 'homestead'! Well done!
DDT (12)
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Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!
See ya down the road...
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NautiBrit
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« Reply #4 on: July 01, 2023, 05:26:51 PM » |
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I'd have to add great host and hostess to your resumes. Sorry we couldn't hang around and help, but the rest of Alaska, Yukon and BC were calling.
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George
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NewValker
Member
Posts: 1350
VRCC# 36356
Oxford, MA
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« Reply #5 on: July 01, 2023, 06:18:01 PM » |
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I call BS !
I bet Brenda ran the mini…..
Craig
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Turns out not what or where, but who you ride with really matters  |
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #6 on: July 01, 2023, 06:46:04 PM » |
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I'd have to add great host and hostess to your resumes. Sorry we couldn't hang around and help, but the rest of Alaska, Yukon and BC were calling.
It was great seeing you guys George  Hope the rest of your trip is going well. I call BS !
I bet Brenda ran the mini…..
Craig
Oh Boy ! Run for your lives ! Technically I guess she did run the excavator. She has been telling me how to do things since I retired 3 years ago. I’ve taken to responding to her with “yes, boss lady”.  |
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cookiedough
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« Reply #7 on: July 01, 2023, 08:05:43 PM » |
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sounds like it to me you retired way too early.  My wife and I, only a mere 53, cannot wait to retire cannot come soon enough. One thing am pretty sure on will not wait till age 65 or older to not do 'real' working days anymore, am hoping age 62 tops, if that, will see.... enjoy retirement! |
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Hook#3287
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« Reply #8 on: July 02, 2023, 07:42:16 AM » |
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Being the cheap bastard that I am, I don’t really want to sink a lot into a place that we will likely use 2 or 3 months a year. So, I left Arizona with tools and a cement mixer. While I won't argue with the first statement, I will point out that 3 months is 1/4 of the year. Also, you may find that you'll be spending more time in AK, plus, there's inheritance.  What depth is required in AK for footing frost protection? Mixing and poring concrete for a footing and pier is not something I'll be doing ever again, to much work and some good alternatives available. https://www.technometalpost.com/en-US/helical-piers/https://www.homedepot.com/p/EZ-Tube-5-Section-54-in-Stackable-Precast-Concrete-Pier-Footing-EZTUBE5/300649621https://www.ez-crete.com/products/solid-precast-footings/But, your cheap, so..... Actually, if you do the math and add in the Big Foot (footing form), sona tubes, concrete, j-bolt, Simpson post foot, mixer rental, gas or electricity costs, those options above are looking good. Some codes allow a 12" pier to be considered a footing also, but that means the whole pier is 12" wide. You lose the footing concrete but add some to the pier, but easier to do. |
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #9 on: July 02, 2023, 10:17:29 AM » |
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Being the cheap bastard that I am, I don’t really want to sink a lot into a place that we will likely use 2 or 3 months a year. So, I left Arizona with tools and a cement mixer. While I won't argue with the first statement, I will point out that 3 months is 1/4 of the year. Also, you may find that you'll be spending more time in AK, plus, there's inheritance. What depth is required in AK for footing frost protection? Mixing and poring concrete for a footing and pier is not something I'll be doing ever again, to much work and some good alternatives available. https://www.technometalpost.com/en-US/helical-piers/https://www.homedepot.com/p/EZ-Tube-5-Section-54-in-Stackable-Precast-Concrete-Pier-Footing-EZTUBE5/300649621https://www.ez-crete.com/products/solid-precast-footings/But, your cheap, so..... Actually, if you do the math and add in the Big Foot (footing form), sona tubes, concrete, j-bolt, Simpson post foot, mixer rental, gas or electricity costs, those options above are looking good. Some codes allow a 12" pier to be considered a footing also, but that means the whole pier is 12" wide. You lose the footing concrete but add some to the pier, but easier to do. It is a lot of work ! Brenda keeps asking me when this will be done, and that will be done. In her mind it should only take a couple days. I was explaining to her how just getting all the bags of concrete mix out here in place was going to be a back breaker. It’s completely foreign to her. I checked into those spiral forms they screw into the ground. They look like a badass option. I think they were going to be about $2,500 each  Even if I could afford that my Dad would be rolling over in his grave knowing I spent 20 grand on a foundation for a cabin. Hiring a concrete pumper truck would be the best option. But I don’t think our driveway is suitable to get them up to the spot. As far as requirements of depth, out here there aren’t much in the way of building codes. We are about 25 miles from a small town. My Brother in Law is a pretty talented builder, having built a dozen places over the years and flipping them. His recommendation was that 4’ would be good for what I’m doing. A fair amount of people here are even cheaper than me. They just use railroad ties as footings and level out the freeze/thaw issues with jacks each spring. Hopefully I won’t need that. The relentless rain is my biggest enemy right now. I think we’ve only had 4 days of non rain. Well, maybe needing a break every hour might be my biggest enemy. Thanks for the input. Always hope I’ll get your experience weighing in on this stuff. Had a moment of celebration yesterday with a successful installation of the well pump. Having water without driving the motorhome in every week to fill the tank is going to be huge. No more Navy showers. |
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Hook#3287
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« Reply #10 on: July 03, 2023, 06:12:13 AM » |
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Yeah, I kinda figured back woods construction don't need to follow no stupid codes Send some pics. Those helical piers installed by TechnoMetal Posts use to range from $185.00 for decks, to just over $300.00 for 2story with roof load, each. Every situation and site is different, so you gotta conform to what's there. |
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Jersey mike
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« Reply #11 on: July 06, 2023, 04:13:28 AM » |
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Whatever tasks you’re doing be mindful to be safe at all times. Accidents happen and it doesn’t sound as though you’re close to town. Best of luck with the site and hope it all works out and comes together nicely. |
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