Southern VA lot - What to do

[buckeyefarmer]

Mowed again today. Seems once a month is pretty good to keep it manageable. I was racing to beat the rain today, and I got home without seeing any.
One neighbor wanted me to mow to the road, even though some of it isn’t on me, so I did.
First time meeting another neighbor, he was real nice.

I need to figure out where to cut the driveway in thru the trees. I think I want opening to not show the house from the road. Maybe next trip I’ll take the BX again so I can do some brush pushing.

The neighbor I mowed for sent me a nice txt thanking me.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Found this floor plan that I find interesting. I would flip it for the lot. Thoughts..

I would wrap a 6 ft deep porch around this side.

 

[airbiscuit]

Not bad. Is there a loft?

 

[two_bit_score]

I would wrap a 6 ft deep porch around this side.

That’s really nice!!

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Not bad. Is there a loft?

Could make one. I’m thinking a basement though. With the roof pitch shown I would get trusses with a room inside, even if only for storage. Could put mini split up there.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I’m also thinking, since I can get accessory structure permit the same time as I get the house permit, I would get someone to build a small pole barn garage, where I could store my tractor/ backhoe and building supplies in.
A crew could get that up in a week, then get electric to it.
I got quote last fall for 30x40x12 pole barn built for $37k, which I think is high. Another 10k for concrete.
Think I’ll get quote for 14x30 or so to compare.
First I need driveway and well dug.

 

[ShowroomShine]

LMK when you find a pole barn builder. I’m searching for one and also have found a few that are just extremely high for the 30x60 I want.

 

[TimberFarm]

Found this floor plan that I find interesting. I would flip it for the lot. Thoughts..
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I would wrap a 6 ft deep porch around this side.
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That would be a nice easy build. Should go quickly.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Found this floor plan that I find interesting. I would flip it for the lot. Thoughts..
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I would wrap a 6 ft deep porch around this side.
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If money was no object... Make the house 2' wider all along just for a bit more room. Add a window to the 2nd bedroom so that you can get cross flow breezes while sleeping. Extend the mudroom wall to the end of the bathroom. More room for people (and your work clothes) when they first come in and it lets you straighten out the basement stairs. Stairs with a landing are a pain to move larger furniture on. No outside lights close to or over a door. Then the summer bugs aren't right there when you open and close the door.

 

[duffer]

Couple of suggestions:

For your "pole barn", look into a post and beam construction. (Or for that matter, just frame it like a house) Much better IMO, and something you and a couple of buddies could do yourselves. If you decide to do build it yourself, get an account at a local lumber yard vs the big box stores (I saved 20%+). You'll likely get better pricing, and better quality lumber.

I'd also consider buying all the materials yourself with the new found acct at the lumber yard, and that way you can write off the sales tax as major purchases. If you build both buildings, the sales tax alone might qualify you to itemize your deductions, plus medical, plus charitable, property taxes, license plates, etc etc. I'd also get my own building permit. That way, you can fire a contractor at will. If a builder pulls it, you're stuck with him for the entire process.

If you plan on clearing out any trees, I'd start removing every pine tree there is, and any sweet-gum trees. Both are dirty, shed needles or pods like dogs shed hair, and take a toll on your soil.

Just my 2¢.

 

[TimberFarm]

Gum trees.
Quite possibly the tallest growing weeds out there.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

LMK when you find a pole barn builder. I’m searching for one and also have found a few that are just extremely high for the 30x60 I want.

My quote is from Pioneerpolebuildings.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

That would be a nice easy build. Should go quickly.

That’s what I like about the plan. Pretty simple to build.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

If money was no object... Make the house 2' wider all along just for a bit more room. Add a window to the 2nd bedroom so that you can get cross flow breezes while sleeping. Extend the mudroom wall to the end of the bathroom. More room for people (and your work clothes) when they first come in and it lets you straighten out the basement stairs. Stairs with a landing are a pain to move larger furniture on. No outside lights close to or over a door. Then the summer bugs aren't right there when you open and close the door.

All good suggestions.
My house is 28 ft wide, so easy for me to envision the size.
Already thought of squaring up mud room, however, wife wants better window in master bath, so have thought next to throne. Will remove wall from throne, more open. Might swap closet and shower area.
Steps are to basement. I thought of building storage room into ceiling trusses, so need steps up also.
If I put porch down the living room side, might move front door to the side.
I need to get this on CAD.

Money is a big object though.

 

[Dftodd]

Found this floor plan that I find interesting. I would flip it for the lot. Thoughts..
View attachment 808177
View attachment 808178
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I would wrap a 6 ft deep porch around this side.
View attachment 808182

We've been looking at similar for our lot. The only issue I see with the plans is no soaker tub for the wife

If it had a spot for a soaker tub as well as the walk in shower, then it would be exactly what we are looking for

It's perfect for me. But the wife has her heart set on the soaker

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Couple of suggestions:

For your "pole barn", look into a post and beam construction. (Or for that matter, just frame it like a house) Much better IMO, and something you and a couple of buddies could do yourselves. If you decide to do build it yourself, get an account at a local lumber yard vs the big box stores (I saved 20%+). You'll likely get better pricing, and better quality lumber.

I'd also consider buying all the materials yourself with the new found acct at the lumber yard, and that way you can write off the sales tax as major purchases. If you build both buildings, the sales tax alone might qualify you to itemize your deductions, plus medical, plus charitable, property taxes, license plates, etc etc. I'd also get my own building permit. That way, you can fire a contractor at will. If a builder pulls it, you're stuck with him for the entire process.

If you plan on clearing out any trees, I'd start removing every pine tree there is, and any sweet-gum trees. Both are dirty, shed needles or pods like dogs shed hair, and take a toll on your soil.

Just my 2¢.

Only reason I’d hire out pole barn build is to get it done fast. I’ll probably go small that I can extend later. Something I can store building stuff in.

Only tree clearing is to bring drive in

I will be general and will pull permits as owner builder.
Very few pines, but considering planting some firs to block neighbor house view to the north.

Not sure how I can write off sales taxes. I built current house and paid tax on all.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

We've been looking at similar for our lot. The only issue I see with the plans is no soaker tub for the wife

If it had a spot for a soaker tub as well as the walk in shower, then it would be exactly what we are looking for

It's perfect for me. But the wife has her heart set on the soaker

I have a large soaker whirlpool tub now that has been used about 10 times in 26 years.
I’ll set a hot tub on the back porch.

 

[Dftodd]

I have a large soaker whirlpool tub now that has been used about 10 times in 26 years.
I’ll set a hot tub on the back porch.

The hot tub out back was my suggestion...... but she's still got her heart set on the soaker.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

She was wanting no more than 2 baths, but said put at least a half in the basement. I will rough in a full in basement.

 

[ning]

We've been looking at similar for our lot. The only issue I see with the plans is no soaker tub for the wife

If it had a spot for a soaker tub as well as the walk in shower, then it would be exactly what we are looking for

It's perfect for me. But the wife has her heart set on the soaker

My wife really wanted one when we redid the master bathroom.
I'd tell you how many times she's used it but I fear for my life so I won't