Alright, guys, welcome back to part three of "Is Self-Building Worth It?" Today, we're going to have an exciting video about putting in the gravel driveway. I can tell you, this was right at the beginning, and it was one of our biggest budget mistakes all around. The gravel expenses will come into play later when we're doing the pad and backfilling. Initially, I estimated around $3,000 for the rock for our driveway and build pad, but we ended up spending around 10 grand, significantly over the projected budget.
Our driveway was quite long, approximately 500+ feet, which was within our schedule. However, where it became challenging was backfilling around our storm shelter and not starting with a level building pad, which we'll cover later. Right off the bat, we blew our budget.
Another factor to consider is our timeline. When we finished this driveway, it was June 3rd, and my original plan was to have the driveway in by the end of April or early May. However, due to the wettest spring in the history of Iowa that year, our timeline was extended, leading to budget overruns.
In terms of preparing the driveway, the method I followed, which involved removing the topsoil and laying down a 3-inch layer of clean rock, worked well. This rough base held up throughout our build, and later, we added finished gravel on top. Proper driveway preparation is crucial, especially considering heavy equipment and deliveries during construction.
Now, regarding the steepness of our driveway, I admit I kept it steeper than ideal, which caused some challenges with deliveries and equipment access. In hindsight, I would have widened the entrance and cut more out of the slope to accommodate larger trailers and easier access, especially during inclement weather.
Moving on to emotions, getting the driveway in was a significant milestone for me. It marked progress and the realization of our vision. Despite being less involved initially, Emily was also excited about this progress, as it signified tangible steps towards our new life on the property.
In terms of planning, determining the driveway's location was essential, considering future house placement. We used flags and measurements to map out the driveway, aligning it with our envisioned house layout.
Another crucial aspect to discuss is navigating building codes, which vary depending on location. While codes ensure structural integrity, they can also increase costs and construction time. Choosing a location with less stringent regulations was a priority for us, despite potential trade-offs in convenience.
Moving forward, we'll also discuss essential equipment and tools. A skid steer proved invaluable for various tasks, making it a must-have for self-building projects. Its versatility and efficiency outweighed any limitations or additional rental costs for specific attachments.
In our next video, we'll cover clearing the land and handling brush and trees, along with the equipment used for these tasks. If you're interested in joining a community focused on DIY building or seeking architectural design services for your project, check out our Patreon and Back 40 Buildings for more resources.
Thank you,
MR Post Frame
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