MGH PA
Gold Member
Like the title says, I will attempt this. I was debating whether or not to do it, but I really enjoyed all of the time I scoured the builds posted on here in the past, so I figured I would try. Plus, I'm sure many of you can point out mistakes we're making along the way 
This thread will not be updated daily, but I will do my best to provide updates throughout the process.
So, a quick back story:
My wife and I have two kids, we live about two miles from where we're building. We've outgrown our current home, and always wanted a little more land. It just so happens, my father was able to buy the farm the borders theirs a year and a half ago, and we subdivided and purchased 25 acres off of them from that parcel. It's typical northern PA topography of ridges, valleys, farmland, etc. The 25 acres I purchased is primarily timber (including the building site) which made from some major work getting the lot cleared. Additionally, the best access route for the property was across my parents existing farm due to minor elevation change, and sheer openness of it all. We're surrounded by and additional 200 acres between my parents old farm and new farm, so we will have plenty of privacy.
A look at our back yard:
We're build a single story with a walkout basement. About 2900 sq.ft. We're doing ICF for the basement, R10 subslab (most likely Nudura or Creatherm panels), NuWool in the main walls and ceiling (R49 ceiling with raised heel trusses). Debating on whether to go Geo or variable speed ASHP at this point. We have no NG, and I don't want to deal with propane or oil.
The first job started back in March of 2018. We began initial clearing for the septic testing and driveway. We did everything with two guys, two saws, and a JD 990. Below is a few shots of the progress we made:
The building when we started:
The driveway is almost a 1/2 mile long, about 950ft of that needed cleared, the rest covers existing ag fields.
Dad cutting on the new road this summer. The bugs and humidity made this really fun.
We took a lot of timber out. This is just one pile of two of pole wood. Saw logs were taken and sold.
The building site as it stood this past fall:
Once everything froze up a bit, we brought out the big guns, and had our driveway cut in:
The excavator put in between 10-12" of shale, and only did a quick topcoat of 2b for the last 100ft to cut down on mud hitting the township road. We will finish the road once construction is all finished.
As of right now, the well is dug, the permits are issued, and we're just waiting on the bank. Hoping to break ground in mid May.
This thread will not be updated daily, but I will do my best to provide updates throughout the process.
So, a quick back story:
My wife and I have two kids, we live about two miles from where we're building. We've outgrown our current home, and always wanted a little more land. It just so happens, my father was able to buy the farm the borders theirs a year and a half ago, and we subdivided and purchased 25 acres off of them from that parcel. It's typical northern PA topography of ridges, valleys, farmland, etc. The 25 acres I purchased is primarily timber (including the building site) which made from some major work getting the lot cleared. Additionally, the best access route for the property was across my parents existing farm due to minor elevation change, and sheer openness of it all. We're surrounded by and additional 200 acres between my parents old farm and new farm, so we will have plenty of privacy.
A look at our back yard:
We're build a single story with a walkout basement. About 2900 sq.ft. We're doing ICF for the basement, R10 subslab (most likely Nudura or Creatherm panels), NuWool in the main walls and ceiling (R49 ceiling with raised heel trusses). Debating on whether to go Geo or variable speed ASHP at this point. We have no NG, and I don't want to deal with propane or oil.
The first job started back in March of 2018. We began initial clearing for the septic testing and driveway. We did everything with two guys, two saws, and a JD 990
. Below is a few shots of the progress we made:The building when we started:
The driveway is almost a 1/2 mile long, about 950ft of that needed cleared, the rest covers existing ag fields.
Dad cutting on the new road this summer. The bugs and humidity made this really fun.
We took a lot of timber out. This is just one pile of two of pole wood. Saw logs were taken and sold.
The building site as it stood this past fall:
Once everything froze up a bit, we brought out the big guns, and had our driveway cut in:
The excavator put in between 10-12" of shale, and only did a quick topcoat of 2b for the last 100ft to cut down on mud hitting the township road. We will finish the road once construction is all finished.
As of right now, the well is dug, the permits are issued, and we're just waiting on the bank. Hoping to break ground in mid May.
