Just days after the first truckload of EF Block was unloaded, our subcontractor, Bruce, was able to fit us into his schedule and come up to stake out the lot. The process of staking out the plan involves some survey equipment, a bunch of wood (batter boards) and metal stakes, and tape measures. Jim and I had done a “rough” stake-out previously, just so that we could go stand where the living room would be or visualize ourselves at the bathroom window to get an idea of the view. Our staking out project was a few inches off at the end, but it did provide Bruce with a starting point, from which his real equipment was able to mark off all the digging lines in a much more accurate fashion.
Forgive me if I’m being simple, here, but for the benefit of those who have never built a house or watched one go through the step-by-step process, staking it out is critical. It allows you to visualize exactly where on the lot the house will sit. It provides precise direction for the backhoe operator who will be digging the trench where the footer will be formed and poured. But it also helps to point out any issues that might arise with building difficulties or potential code violations. Things like a 22″ difference between the ground under the northwest corner and the southeast. Things like the proximity of the new building to other things, like existing buildings, septic system, and steep slopes.
Hmm… You don’t think we have any issues with a slope, do you? The staking out left Bruce recommending that we contact an engineer to see what measures need to be taken to ensure the house is safe from landslides and flooding. We’ve been through a flood here, and the natural drainage actually goes to the north and south, missing the building lot almost entirely. But that’s just our experience and just because that’s what happened once doesn’t make it truth in all situations for all time. Nor does it satisfy the building inspector or make the house safe from natural disaster. Bruce also advised us to move some dirt from the northeast corner of the lot to the southeast corner, to reduce the difference and make the building area a bit closer to level.
So… with the lot staked out, our next task was to find a backhoe operator with a BIG backhoe to dig our footer. Preferably someone who could also help with the leveling of the corners; a bulldozer or a grader, perhaps? Catron County resident and fair businessman Summers Reid of Hometown Construction is our first choice for projects such as this – or grading our road – or most other projects involving heavy equipment. But calls to Summers and to Richard (you remember Richard, who helped us unload our block) revealed that Summers is busy on a job. He has agreed to come out and help us out, but his schedule is such that it won’t be for about 2 weeks. No problem; we need guidance from the engineer too, and he’s also a busy man.
Construction logistics and scheduling 101. Go with the flow…