We’ve moved past the initial clearing and tree work, and things are really starting to look like a construction site now! After we got the land cleared and the house location marked out with stakes, it was time for the heavy machinery to move in.
One thing I’ve been so glad for is that The Barndo Company manages the entire process from start to finish. When the day came for grading, we were honestly surprised to see just one man arrive with his dozer. It was fascinating to watch—in just a few hours, he had the sod scraped away and the ground level, prepping everything for the fill dirt.
The Logistics of the Build
If you’re looking at building on your own land, take note: this is the part of the project where costs can add up quickly depending on your terrain. We ended up needing 17 or 18 dump truck loads of fill dirt to get the site perfectly ready. There could be other environmental factors to keep in mind when you’re picking your build spot, so make sure you ask questions and do your due diligence!
Once the dirt was brought in, the focus shifted to compaction. It’s not something people talk about much, but this step is vital. You need that ground to be rock-solid before you even think about pouring concrete, as this creates the foundation that our entire home will rest upon.
Setting the Stage
With the site prepped, the next stage was the “bones” of the home: the electrical conduit and plumbing pipes were tucked into place, followed by the rebar. Finally, the concrete was poured and smoothed out. Waiting for that foundation inspection is always a little nerve-wracking, but we were so relieved when everything passed without a single issue.
While watching dirt get moved and concrete get poured isn’t exactly the “glamorous” side of home design—I’m saving my energy for the decorating and furniture refinishing I have planned with my father—there is something truly priceless about it. Seeing this solid surface confirms that our dream home is actually happening. We are building our forever place, one truckload of dirt at a time.
It’s exciting to see the footprint of the home finally taking shape! What part of your home do you find the most rewarding to plan or decorate? I’m already dreaming about how my canning kitchen will look once these walls go up.
