Our ultimate project

   / Our ultimate project #1  

blurrybill

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2001
Messages
479
Location
Iowa
Tractor
JD4310 eHydro with bells and whistles
Hope this is the right forum... I have mentioned in other posts our desire to get going on not only the tractor purchase, but our "final" home, as well. Have been worried about finding a good, reputable builder in whom we have confidence. This week I think we accomplished that considerable project. At first my wife and I thought we would have to seek out someone out of town. But, the person we chose has an absolutely stellar reputation (consulted several folks unknown to one another who have used him and produced absolutely zero negative comments). He constructs one house at a time, has employed a couple of guys for 20 years, and quoted us prices $25-$30 per square foot less than others in this area while being willing to complete upgrade detailing. He appears to be a craftsman who clearly understands structures. He has no experience with geo-thermal which we plan to use, but is willing to investigate those in the area with experience and bring them onboard for that portion of the project.

He met with us today and we were completely comfortable and impressed. Some of you know that I'm cautious in dealing with "dealers" of any kind and the meeting today just took a load off. Not only all of the above, but he can begin construction by Sept 1 (earlier if we finalize our design). This is such good news for us, I felt compelled to share it. At the risk of boring TBNers, I'll post more, including pictures of our dream as it progresses. Have to admit, I'm chaffing at the bit to get my tractor and post picts of "the Land" and the various projects. Would love to get "into" the post on wiring and other more "down the road" details. More to come; wish us luck.

Bill
 
   / Our ultimate project #2  
Congratulations on a major accomplishment.

Looking forward to your progress. Please do keep us all informed, as many of us are in the same process as you.
 
   / Our ultimate project
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Thanks, MossRoad.

How are you coming with your plans? The 20 acres sounds like a great site for a new home. Any plans in the works? You're a step ahead with that equipment and I was intrigued about your "tractor" from reading earlier posts.

Bill
 
   / Our ultimate project #4  
Bill,

This is exciting...no wonder you're so anxious to get your JD4310. It certainly will come in handy.

<font color=blue>At the risk of boring TBNers, I'll post more, including pictures of our dream as it progresses. Have to admit, I'm chaffing at the bit to get my tractor and post picts of "the Land" and the various projects.</font color=blue>

Don't hesitate to post Bill. As they say, pictures speak a thousand words....as we both learned by observing Spencer's pics of his stump pulling forks. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif Those pics convinced me to order my set and I'm looking forward to trying the forks as my 'poor man's' back hoe for removing stumps. Hope we can also learn from the pics you post.

Bob
 
   / Our ultimate project
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Thanks, Bob! I called the fork manufacturer in N. Carolina late Friday afternoon and spoke to an engaging gentleman with a terrific British accent who answered a few questions. They don't have dealers using their products in my area, but he was going to do some research and send me some info.

Is this the system you are going to use. Help me out; does the JD quicktach loader system handle other manufacturers forks, etc? Will the JD bucket be able to use the unihitch or whatever it is called without a special bracket? I know you've ordered recently, is your dealer able to get the tractor setup the way you want? And finally, are you going after the same forks as used on the post or JD? (one more, I lied) Are the JD forks as sturdy as the ones from NC. I hope those picts were real!!!

Bill
 
   / Our ultimate project #6  
Bill

Ever trying to sound out building pricing over there, how much per square foot are houses roughly??


Surely there can't be $25-30/square foot DIFFERENCE between builders??
 
   / Our ultimate project #7  
Bill,

I tried to answer in detail to these queries in a couple private replies I sent to your ISP e-mail account. I'll try to be brief here in summary.

<font color=blue>Is this the system you are going to use.</font color=blue>

No, while I was impressed with Spencer's pics I decided on JD's forks for several reasons that I've enumerated in my replies to your private e-mail acoount.

<font color=blue>does the JD quicktach loader system handle other manufacturers forks, etc? Will the JD bucket be able to use the unihitch or whatever it is called without a special bracket?</font color=blue>

I just don't know...and my JD dealer himself couldn't be sure all non-JD attachments would hitch up to JD's quicktach system. I don't think he was saying this just to sell me a pair of JD forks. He seemed honest and didn't want to suggest alternatives that may or may not work. This was another reason why I went with JD. Again, there's more on this in my e-mails to your private e-mail account.

<font color=blue>I know you've ordered recently, is your dealer able to get the tractor setup the way you want?</font color=blue>

Yep, he sure is...and getting it quicker than I or he thought was possible...he's giving me a 4/16 delivery date at the dealership, a couple days of set-up and test runs in the shop, and delivery to me by weekend of 4/20. Only thing he couldn't get was the HD 55amp alternator. He says JD came out with a marketing bulletin on 3/20 saying this was being discontinued. He said I can have it as a dealer install item for $100 more but I decided against this. I'll go with the standard one and if I want the HD one later on I'll get it myself and install.

<font color=blue>are you going after the same forks as used on the post or JD? </font color=blue>

I'm going with JD's forks...they appear to be quite sturdy...not as great load capacity as Spencer's 3,000lbs but I felt this was better choice as I tried to explain in my e-mails to your ISP account.

Hope this helps.

Bob
 
   / Our ultimate project #8  
Neil,

<font color=blue>how much per square foot are houses roughly??</font color=blue>

Here, in New York/New England standard houses are generally $100-120 sq. ft.

<font color=blue>Surely there can't be $25-30/square foot DIFFERENCE between builders??</font color=blue>

Oh, you'd be surprised...quite a big difference, especially with builders in high demand and who insist on using top quality materials. Then, if the customer wants even more optional add-ons to make the house real classy, then these sqft. costs can really go through the roof. It's a battle just to keep the lid on sq ft prices as there's always higher grade material options a customer could have installed in a house if they want it.
 
   / Our ultimate project
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Thanks, Bob. I won't be able to access your detailed responses until I get back to work on Monday. Appreciate the info! BTW, I have been busy tonight; guess I'm trying to reach the gold standard before I have more than my JD LX279!

Bill
 
   / Our ultimate project
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Neil,

We are trying to develop a design for a house based roughly on Sarah Susanka's "Not So Big House" concepts (see notsobighouse.com). My dad was an architect who taught those design priciples (quality over quantity, open floorplans, etc.) long before I read Susanka's books. With this in mind, we have been quoted construction costs of between $100-$200 per square foot, believe it or not, for the same basic design! A university town is only 12 miles away and construction costs vary between that town and mine by around $30-$40 per square foot! I am a true believer in my conservative principles and free enterprise in general, but one needs to shop around - tractors OR houses. Amazing, huh?

Bill
 

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