Product Overview
Before I started faceting gems I was actively involved in the building trades. I was a licensed builder for 20 years and I was a heavy equipment operator for 35 years. I spent thousands of hours every year operating a bulldozer. I also operated a wide variety of other types of heavy equipment as well. I have worked in many different types of soil and in all weather conditions.
I have written this first book because I have witnessed far to many people making the same costly mistakes when shopping for their place in the country. There have been several books written about real estate but I haven't seen very many that address the issues of what to be aware of when shopping for that first piece of rural property. If you know what to look for and what to avoid before you buy your place in the country you can save yourself a lot of problems and money.
I also give you pointers and tips about doing your own excavating and site work. I give you pointers on everything from building layout to the final grade.
This book will also help you if you decide to hire an excavating contractor. There are a lot of inexperienced and unethical contractors out there and this book will teach you what to look for in case you do decide to hire an excavating contractor to do work for you. Don't get taken by not knowing what to look for! Make sure that you are getting your money's worth!
This book will also help you when buying an existing home. I teach you some of the very obvious warning signs to look for before you even go inside of the home. Don't end up buying someone else's problems!
I am going to be writing more books on a variety of subjects that I have experience with as well. More often than not having access to some good knowledge from someone that has already "been there done that" can be a big help before starting any project.
Chapter Index
1. Introduction
2. About the Author
3. Is Country Living Right For You?
4. What to look for when searching for your land
5. The Building Site
6. Building Site Layout
7. Check Grade Elevations
8. Building a Gravel Driveway
9. Types of Gravel
10. Calculating Dirt
11. Doing your own Site Work
12. Clearing your Building Site
13. Establishing Grade Height
14. Stripping the Top Soil
15. What type of Foundation Wall?
16. Digging your Basement
17. Backfilling your Basement
18. Cement Grades
19. The Sub-Grade
20. The Final Grade
21. Tips on Walkout and Daylight Basements and Retaining Walls
22. Hiring an Excavating Contractor
23. Buying an existing Home
24. Conclusion