Excavate your Camp or Vacation Property in Clarion County
Are you in Clarion County with a camp or cabin that needs some serious improvement this year? Do you need a dirt work contractor to build a driveway, repair a foundation, or build a retaining wall or pond?
In this post we will concentrate on the properties that are older or less developed. Many camps in Central-Western Pennsylvania (Clarion, Jefferson, Venango, Forest, Elk and Armstrong County) have no indoor plumbing. Other properties may not have electricity or even a liveable existing structure to work with!
Oftentimes, people inherit a property from their parents or other relatives that was truly an old-fashioned camp, or a property that was once polished but has fallen into disrepair.
Over the last few years we have worked with owners who are not ready to build a completely new house. Many young families are choosing to improve their property with a few smaller projects per year instead.
Here is an example: One of our clients chose to build a driveway first and grade an area nearby for planting trees and starting a fenced-in garden. Then, they decided to get a rocked pad for placing a shed to store their camping materials. From there, they built a more extensive driveway and got electric capability installed on their property. Next, this client decided to have a cabin built. We were thrilled to dig the foundation and install an ICF poured concrete basement. We also installed a septic system.
This did not occur all at once at warp speed. Why is this important? In our belief, taking things more slowly gives the client time and flexibility. They were able to see the project come together step by step, and made several changes as we went along. We were also available to consult with them extensively about their preferences, and the pros and cons of each of their ideas.
This, to us, is the most important part of being in the excavation business. Through the years, we have learned to set expectations with clients so they (despite not being in the construction business) understand the unavoidable complications and delays that can come about when building.
Many people are not educated about this beyond what they watch on television, which sets the expectation that a mansion can be fully built or renovated in 30 minutes, minus commercials. This sets everyone up for disappointment. We try our best to avoid this by using the below timeline or formula for each client:
PHASE ONE: ALL THE BEHIND THE SCENES WORK
Meet with building contractors and determine what and where you want to build.
All necessary consultations, approvals and permits are requested and obtained.
In more complicated projects, the permits are more staggered and consecutive in nature.
This is a necessary part of the process, and clients need to be aware of this to avoid unnecessary frustration.
BUILD THE ACCESS ROAD FIRST. This can simply be a parking area along the road.
Driveway is built without gravel. The access road is not necessarily the same as the driveway.
(Helpful hint: decide WHERE you want to build your house, and THEN build your driveway to access it!)
Utility hookups are installed with relevant piping if needed.
We can help consult on this to make sure the utilities do not conflict with the driveway plan!
Sometimes when using the right of way to access your property, utilities need to be carefully planned out when building the access road.
See our articles on perc tests and septic systems to learn more.
PHASE TWO: MAKING THE LAND USEABLE
Property is graded and seeded for drainage, yard, etc.
This is the primary land clearing phase for your building site.
We can pull stumps and other obstacles on your property as desired.
PHASE THREE: PREPARING TO BUILD
Parking area is expanded.
Garage or shop is built to store camping supplies or RV.
PHASE FOUR: LET’S BUILD
Foundation is built with Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF)
House exterior is built.
(We are not a house building contractor, but can recommend reliable contractors who can do anything from turnkey houses to simple framed and finished exteriors.)
The latter is becoming a popular one for many camps, houses and cabins in Clarion, Forest and Jefferson County, because they can then finish the interior more at their own pace.
PHASE FIVE: THE FUN STUFF aka What everyone notices
House interior is ready to be finished.
PLEASE NOTE: Permits to build a camp are in most cases much easier to get than permits to build a house.
We do not have control over how quickly permits are issued. The process takes as long as it takes. Pressuring your contractor is not an effective strategy here!
Weather is a huge wild card factor here in regards to getting something inspected. We do not have control over the weather!
Patio or driveway is poured.
Spring developments, septics, etc. are done.
Pond is built.
Retaining walls are built.
ATV or walking trails built, rocked in.
Lawns are hydroseeded.
PHASE SIX: MAINTENANCE
Clients who decide to cut corners during Phases 1-4, so they can jump to Phase 5, will usually spend thousands of additional dollars making fixes after the fact. This is something we wish every homebuyer or camper would learn. You cannot take that many shortcuts and expect things to hold up long-term. It’s just not worth it!
We offer an annual driveway maintenance program where we monitor your property’s driveway to preventatively address any washouts or drainage issues caused by snowplows, salt, or heavy usage.
The best part of this is that depending on the condition of your property, you CAN mix and match these projects in the way that works best for your property and budget! In this way, a family can affordably improve their camp in Clarion County, Jefferson County and Forest County over several years, while being able to camp on it almost from the get-go.
Check out our portfolio below from a client who took several years to build on their property. They went with Weaver Barns for the house placement and are thrilled with their decision. Give us a call today to consult at 814-221-7424. You can also request a quote online here.
