It’s happening!!! I honestly can’t believe it! I worked really hard to save enough money to do this, building a lot of things for a lot of people. Obviously the money part isn’t what drives me to build things. It’s the adventure of building and learning. You can’t put a price tag on that can you?!? Or can you? Maybe a new shop lol (I’m kidding)
I’ve been planning this shop in my head for about year. I knew exactly what I needed (or at least I thought I did). I’m the type of person to dive head first into something and just work things out along the way. Probably not the greatest thing and I wouldn’t advise it to anyone but it works for me (sometimes. My wife would probably say otherwise). I did, however, have a lot of help building the first and probably most crucial part of this and I am beyond grateful!!! Lets go through the first stage of the process.
- The first thing I had to do was cut down 6 trees. Three spruce, a pine and two alders (that’s six, right?). I wasn’t looking forward to doing this. I really didn’t want to cut down the trees and my wife was very against it too… but I really had no other choice, so down they came. The easiest way to get rid of them was to hire someone. Obviously that idea never crossed my mind, I like doing things myself! I mean I already bought a chainsaw. So I cut down the trees and chopped the wood up for fire wood to heat the building (I bought a wood stove off of Kijiji for the shop for $100 bucks including the chimney. Good deal right?! I think so. I just had to drive out to Augustine Cove to get it. Took the family — we had a nice little drive). The biggest problem I had was getting rid of the branches. Everly and I (wherever I go, she goes) took about 10 loads to the dump in the trailer. Here are a few pics of the clearing and a video. I’m so tech!
After I had the clearing done, I had to get a permit. I think its stupid as f*ck that I had to get a permit to build something on a property that I own! Anyway, I obeyed the law like I usually do…… (insert funny face) The town originally wanted me to build a 4 foot frost wall. Jesus Christ. I was building a 16 x 24 shop; not the CN Tower. This is where I really want to thank a great friend. Chris Linzell Wadell of Kreative Acres came through huge for me! He is an engineer so he designed a slab for me and the town accepted it. I had called him for some pointers on dealing with concrete and he suggested this idea. He called the town for me and drew up the plans. I honestly can’t thank him enough! He saved me a shit ton of money on concrete. I’ve been asking him a ton of questions during the concrete and land part. He is a tremendous guy and gets things done which is what I like the most. He said he was going to do something for me and the next day it was in my inbox! That, my friends, is a quality you want! If you are looking to have a home built, I’d contact him!!
The second person I’d like to thank is my good friend Jeremy Schurman from M&M Resource who also gets things done. Jeremy and his crew did all the land work and they did an awesome job! Special thanks to Ricky, who is a work horse. Good guy, too! M&M Resource are the top of the line paving company but do all sorts of things. I haven’t received the bill yet so hopefully they read this first… (butter them up — you know. Never hurts). But if you are looking for your driveway paved, give them a call and say I sent you and use the code juddyjudsonbuilds for 0% off. *This is not a sponsored post*
Here are a few pics of that progress!
There you have it! The forms are built and ready for concrete, which should be here early next week. I still have to put some extra braces in for the forms but other than that things are coming together. I have a lot of other people to thank but this will be like a 5 part series. I’m keeping everyone on their toes! So up next the concrete pad will be going in, then I’ll start framing. It’s been a busy week but learning lots! I’ve been getting lots of great deals too! More on that later!
Until next time!
-Brett
Measure twice, cut once, then force it it fit!
