Author Topic: My New Land "Raptor Ridge" (Read 96148 times)

JR · « **Reply #1350 on:** March 14, 2022, 09:17:06 PM »

Yep, I call em turtles, but the correct name is Defuser.

They interlock and can be direct buried without matting or special fill.

JR · « **Reply #1351 on:** March 21, 2022, 01:06:26 AM »

Had a couple days up this weekend. Great trip up, then the weather changed. Rain, snow, and went from mid 60s to under 40. After I layered up, a cup of soup I could work some more.

JR · « **Reply #1352 on:** March 21, 2022, 01:16:15 AM »

For you guys where it gets really cold, this looks pity, but oh well.

Started to get the last big pile knocked down after staking the wire. Not a big issue really the bucket makes a great hammer.

Got this pile knocked down way more than this shows. Figure one more session and its done.

Backed into the hoist during this and spent some time restacking it, plus I moved it and all the implements to the north side. The big steel table is about alls thats left there.

Trips are getting $$ with fuel cost, about $300 this time between filling the tractor and bringing home a few cans.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1353 on:** March 21, 2022, 09:31:30 AM »

You ought to be proud of what you've accomplished there, JR!

Isn't homesteading a cool thing to do! I believe it is so much more satisfying doing it all yourself rather than buying something prebuilt. Although there are times when just buying a home and moving in, there is something much deeper about scratching off a hill top and raising up a home and a life and going through all the steps that takes.

Inspiring!

JR · « **Reply #1354 on:** March 21, 2022, 11:16:55 AM »

Thought about that a few times. Slapping a prebuilt up there, settling and then going for the shop. But I like this work too.

JR · « **Reply #1355 on:** April 03, 2022, 06:42:34 PM »

Had a good couple days at the ridge. Weather is great, 70s day, mid 30s at night.

Started late friday, with having just this left over for saturday. Slept like crud.

Moved most of the "stuff" up there opening up the build area. Left septic and junk pile, but moved junk up off the pad. Only thing not finished was setting up the ntm flammables cabinet.

JR · « **Reply #1356 on:** April 03, 2022, 06:52:28 PM »

About 1450, I did this,,,,,,,,,,,,

Pad is cleared off.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #1357 on:** April 03, 2022, 06:53:41 PM »

The tractor boom out for balance lol?

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JR · « **Reply #1358 on:** April 03, 2022, 06:57:22 PM »

Yes, in fact the kubota would not pickup the table with forks. I had to place the forks under the table moving it in about a foot.

Most of this pile was used to level the south end of pad, it needed about a foot of fill after the grating was covered up.

JR · « **Reply #1359 on:** April 03, 2022, 07:11:13 PM »

With everything moved and the pad open I marked out the building corners. Takes up way more than I thought it would.

I used cones for now. The first 15ft of the pad will covered with a 3ft overhang past the corner.

At this point I ran out of steam. Sun was going down too so a good time to pack up.

KensAuto · « **Reply #1360 on:** April 03, 2022, 08:42:23 PM »

Looks pretty flat!

Just wondering where Mama's 3,000ft cabin will fit after you build the shop. ;)

JR · « **Reply #1361 on:** April 03, 2022, 09:09:27 PM »

Quote from: KensAuto on April 03, 2022, 08:42:23 PM

Looks pretty flat!

Just wondering where Mama's 3,000ft cabin will fit after you build the shop. ;)

I will dig a nice hole for it.

JR · « **Reply #1362 on:** April 03, 2022, 09:24:30 PM »

Building layout

Bob Smith · « **Reply #1363 on:** April 03, 2022, 09:48:23 PM »

Gets pretty darn exciting once you can start drawing lines and finding the best fit for everything. When is the building package scheduled to be dropped off.

rpar86 · « **Reply #1364 on:** April 03, 2022, 11:25:56 PM »

How much room do you have between the garage doors and the edge of the pad? How will you maneuver anything in there?

JR · « **Reply #1365 on:** April 04, 2022, 12:16:16 AM »

Quote from: Bob Smith on April 03, 2022, 09:48:23 PM

Gets pretty darn exciting once you can start drawing lines and finding the best fit for everything. When is the building package scheduled to be dropped off.

On the plans but the building is still nowhere on a solid schedule! I was told after 1st of the year, then right now, now 2 months out again. They've had $20k of mine now for 2 years, updated to build last year when my plans where approved. Winter meant they could not get to the pad with truck anyway. Another $50k is due on delivery with the price increase (in contract).

Right now there is 40ft + on the entrance side, 20ft on the far side and rear (that will grow as needed).

Soon as I get the Cat up there I can still do the septic and water tank plumbing. With my schedule of every other weekend I have plenty to do. But I cannot start the pad until the building is on site.

Bob Smith · « **Reply #1366 on:** April 04, 2022, 12:37:17 AM »

Man do I remember all the roadblocks. Talked with the electrician a couple weeks ago. Waiting on a meter base. If I was sure 100 amp service would be plenty they could finish up right away.
Hang in there, in the end it should be a nice place to call home. And on the right side of the California state line.

EL TATE · « **Reply #1367 on:** April 04, 2022, 06:25:50 PM »

Quote from: JR on April 03, 2022, 09:09:27 PM

Quote from: KensAuto on April 03, 2022, 08:42:23 PM
Looks pretty flat!

Just wondering where Mama's 3,000ft cabin will fit after you build the shop. ;)

I will dig a nice hole for it.

JR · « **Reply #1368 on:** April 07, 2022, 12:10:23 PM »

Just a little comparing from last summer.

Bob Smith · « **Reply #1369 on:** April 07, 2022, 12:48:32 PM »

Lots of work happened at the site. Where do you plan to level off a spot for storage yard?

JR · « **Reply #1370 on:** April 07, 2022, 03:22:01 PM »

Quote from: Bob Smith on April 07, 2022, 12:48:32 PM

Lots of work happened at the site. Where do you plan to level off a spot for storage yard?

Pic shows where I am thinking already. The area near the septic is the easiest to work with. Area behind container means lots of dirt moving and drainage issues, but is more out of view.

All tallied up, figure it took a week to move all the dirt. Couple days were with my youngest and a few 1/2 days. Loading the rocks were interesting too on the Kubota bucket. The grapple would have been great but changing over to the skid for a rock or 2 wasn't productive. The larger rocks will be placed near the entrance to deter vehicle traffic. Others will go to controlling the runoff on the east side of the pad.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1371 on:** April 07, 2022, 04:18:11 PM »

I like how you are taking what you have and making it your own.

Nice work JR!

JR · « **Reply #1372 on:** April 07, 2022, 04:26:29 PM »

I can actually see some light now.

Bob Smith · « **Reply #1373 on:** April 07, 2022, 05:30:51 PM »

if you place the storage area back up off the end of building, you could do a couple levels to cut down on dirt moving. one level for storage under the sloped roof on the end of building , and a bit higher level for "stuff" Does Nevada require a pond at lower end of site drainage, or so little water it can be turned loose into the drainage path there now?

JR · « **Reply #1374 on:** April 07, 2022, 06:12:00 PM »

I thought about a stepped up area back there. Kind off the range area right now with all the hills around.

No runoff pond needed but I would love a small pond. However they are not allowed! I will work on that part.

Another funny think is they want a 60ft turn around on the east side for fire use. I am already thinking of turning the container 90 to go across the back. But the turn around would put the pad into the natural runoff blocking it completely. For that I am thinking of moving the building west 10ft, but have that rock to deal with in the rear corner. As you can see, neither really works with well placement.

Bob Smith · « **Reply #1375 on:** April 07, 2022, 06:35:36 PM »

That is really nice you putting in a turnaround for fire. I don't remember, how long did it take them to respond to the house fire down the road? Up that far I would think the best you would get would be a brush truck response. Tell them to close the gate when they leave.

JR · « **Reply #1376 on:** April 07, 2022, 07:06:52 PM »

Not my idea at all. Other option is a 50ft turnout every 250ft on the my driveway, so 1 about mid length, 1 at the turn and 1 halfway to my pad.

I'll work with what I have for now, see how it goes.

We have 2 fire agencies in the area, brush and residential. Both are 10 min from my place. Truckee Meadows. They had a huge brush fire about 5 years ago that pushed many out. They could not rebuild with the new regulations. Some places in SO Cal you have to 10k gal water in tanks on site for fire.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #1377 on:** April 07, 2022, 08:57:56 PM »

I just wish I was retired,
He awesome would it be for all of us to converge on someone place and knock out some big ticket jobs in a week, enjoy the company, everyone physically benefited from the efforts and we could also play with Ken’s BD!!

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JR · « **Reply #1378 on:** April 07, 2022, 09:52:32 PM »

That would be a blast, too bad we are all 1000 miles from each other.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #1379 on:** April 07, 2022, 10:33:30 PM »

But if we were all retired and free runnin
We could circle the country doing cool shiz

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #1380 on:** April 07, 2022, 11:03:10 PM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on April 07, 2022, 08:57:56 PM

I just wish I was retired,
He awesome would it be for all of us to converge on someone place and knock out some big ticket jobs in a week, enjoy the company, everyone physically benefited from the efforts and we could also play with Ken’s BD!!

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I'd really enjoy that

JR · « **Reply #1381 on:** April 08, 2022, 12:22:38 AM »

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[/quote]I'd really enjoy that
[/quote]

Between fluid changes?

God, If I only could. Still have the kids :thumbsup: and "wife issue"

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1382 on:** April 08, 2022, 09:58:47 AM »

I'd love to fit it in there somewhere

If you were close, I'd be over there with my skid steer tearin' the place up!

JR · « **Reply #1383 on:** April 28, 2022, 11:41:14 PM »

Was told I'm finally on the build list. Hoping a few weeks now is it.

With the lift done, time to sell the bobcat.

JR · « **Reply #1384 on:** May 05, 2022, 11:13:22 PM »

Heading up to check a few things out. Camera fell and was getting sideways pic of the septic tank.

Got this yesterday.

Then got a call from Great Western (right) and told I am probably going to be mid July now. They sent me a link to a youtube vid telling how great they load. I left a info comment based on a few questions. ( I am John JR) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxxBiZJFxOA

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1385 on:** May 06, 2022, 10:06:53 AM »

He looks healthy!
Ours around here are a lot more reddish

dave945 · « **Reply #1386 on:** May 06, 2022, 01:49:01 PM »

Huh, I thought they always had rockets strapped to their back or were carrying boxes of dynamite.

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #1387 on:** May 06, 2022, 05:15:30 PM »

Quote from: dave945 on May 06, 2022, 01:49:01 PM

Huh, I thought they always had rockets strapped to their back or were carrying boxes of dynamite.

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I think that one finally died!

KensAuto · « **Reply #1388 on:** May 06, 2022, 10:47:43 PM »

Quote from: dave945 on May 06, 2022, 01:49:01 PM

Huh, I thought they always had rockets strapped to their back or were carrying boxes of dynamite.

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The ones in Arizona carry people across the border.

JR · « **Reply #1389 on:** May 08, 2022, 03:35:49 PM »

Quote from: KensAuto on May 06, 2022, 10:47:43 PM

The ones in Arizona carry people across the border.

But they charge you, make you walk and leave you if you get hurt.

JR · « **Reply #1390 on:** May 08, 2022, 03:42:27 PM »

Did some general cleanup this weekend. Got the fire cabinet up, bottom row will be for my solar batteries. Just got 1 in there now but it runs the 12v fridge with ease (200ah)

Got this for the kids, little small for me (300cc) but runs great. Great condition for 23 years old, $1000. New tires, gun rack and will get LEDs.

JR · « **Reply #1391 on:** May 25, 2022, 05:18:57 PM »

Well, my metal building supplier, "Great Western Buildings" is falling short again. At this point I have gone through permitting ($$$) Architects ($$$) and heard about nothing but delays as I see other building going up in my area.

Here is the latest "estimate" and my reply. To say I am pissed in an understatement. If I could go another way I would, but it would be even longer and I don't have the funds.

Jeremy Moore is my project manager, Eric Beavers is the owner of GWB.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1392 on:** May 25, 2022, 05:55:16 PM »

Copy that JR

Folks Great Western Building Systems has not acted in an honest manner with JR. I'd say to put the word out to steer clear of them and go with someone else, those of you in the western states who are contemplating erecting a metal structure.

I'd ask people to spread the word and mention the names of the man here and the owner.

JR · « **Reply #1393 on:** May 25, 2022, 06:46:41 PM »

That MAY be the case. But my email got a reply already from Eric. He wants to discuss this with the manager, then call me tomorrow.

My plan at this time is to go ahead with the foundation work. This May cause an issue with the building delivery, but will deal with that then (back up the road or out).

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #1394 on:** May 25, 2022, 10:44:55 PM »

Jr in the end its all about the contract. Not sure if there is an out for failure to perform but until they face the threat of a cancelled contract they may not be willing to get serious about not jerking you around.

I’m not a litigious person but if they don’t snape up it may be time to consult an attorney to apply some pressure.

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JR · « **Reply #1395 on:** May 25, 2022, 10:57:11 PM »

Already thinking there, but the call tomorrow will see where I go. Sure I am just 1 customer, but I bet 80-90% of their customers are.

Believe me, I will post all over if this keeps going as is. All I wanted was the building in a fair time, which I think has passed now. I am going to ask to have the "upcharge" waved at the least when I talk to the owner.

Heading up this weekend with the youngest, looks like I had a couple visitors too. Another was a bobcat I think but the pic is blurry and tail a little big.

KensAuto · « **Reply #1396 on:** May 25, 2022, 11:40:54 PM »

Cool pic. Weird antler on that critter.

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JR · « **Reply #1397 on:** May 26, 2022, 12:27:35 AM »

Quote from: KensAuto on May 25, 2022, 11:40:54 PM

Cool pic. Weird antler on that critter

There are 4 pics, 2 deer. Got singles of them both, looks like the buck is still in felt. I have seen Pronghorns up there above my prop during the day, almost hit a horse and I hear both bobcats and cougars are around too.

Sammconn · « **Reply #1398 on:** May 26, 2022, 09:53:09 AM »

If I were to guess the funny antlers are just growing and this could be a good sized buck come fall time.

JR · « **Reply #1399 on:** May 31, 2022, 05:49:23 PM »

Well, little headway to report on my Great Western Building (???). Played phone tag with owner last thursday-friday. He did leave 2 messages. Nothing stellar, just telling me it would still be SEPT until I can expect delivery (how many promises is that now??) just like I was told late 2021, then Feb 2022, then July and now Sept.

In retro I bought the building with about a 30%/20K deposit in May of 2020 (during a "covid" sale which included delivery). The salesman I worked with is no longer with the company. Waiting for the architecture and permits I finalized the order in March of 2021 and was told the price for materials had gone up $9500 per contract (why a deposit then?)
I never had any delays that held the building back after I ordered it over a year ago. Yes there were access issues in that time, but I had no date for delivery so it mattered none. My change orders were deleting the insulation and gutters, then I added the gutters back on. (nothing structural at all)

Called Eric Beavers (CEO) back today after I sent him a link to this thread. We talked for about 15 minutes, nothing new was said. I flat out said "I want to say GWB is a great company to deal with but cannot right now". Was told about the woes of moving the company and how all was backed up, prices were up, yadda yadda and my delays and change orders (not an issue I reminded him). Was told I may get it bumped up to around August, but nothing solid. Added I will only be available to be on site on the weekends starting Sept. I have called around and steel building companies are saying about 8 weeks right now and I have seen a couple go up in my area recently.

Then I asked about the possibility of some compensation for the delays and run arounds, got quiet for a moment and he said he will get back to me about 2 weeks with a possible updated delivery time and comp. I asked for the insulation to be added or for the original contract price.

Now I will say both Eric and Jeremy Moore (project manager) have been easy to talk to, but that doesn't get my building here. They have had my 20K for over 2 years now. I am about 40k into the building budget now (permits, arch, engineers and such). I am stuck and they know it, we'll see if they step up or not.