Sunday, November 23, 2014

The rest of the process, as we know it

I have no doubt that we'll look back at this list and laugh, but here's the process (that we know of now) to get to our building permit.

In true Agile fashion, we did build all of this out using Post-its:


But for a cleaner version of the Post-It wall, here it is:
  • CAD approval
  • Create site plan
  • Apply for clearing and grading permit (we think the forestry permit is a part of this)
  • Septic design
  • Septic/well installation
    • Locate the well
    • Clear road to well
    • Gravel
    • Build pad for well drilling
    • Well approval
    • Contractor drill well (& build pumphouse, pumps and systems)
    • Health department water testing
    • Bring in container/shed to place on well pad
    • Trenching (we will do this)
    • Septic contractor install
  • Finalize house design
  • Building permit
  • Get street address
  • Electricity
    • PSE Project Engineer assignment
    • Trenching primary to transformer and conduit
    • Site prep for transformer
    • Trenching from transformer to well site & conduit
    • Trench from well site to house site
    • PSE install
    • Cable install

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Shilshole moves to Vashon!

BEST NEWS EVER! Our very good friends K&S are buying the land right next door to us!!! These guys live down the dock from us, also live on a Caliber and were cruising in Mexico with us, so it's only natural that we all stick together and become land-baron neighbors, right?? Their land is in the same state as ours, so we'll get to go through this whole permitting and building process together - so excited to have 4 heads on this instead of just 2! But mostly, I'm excited that my modern-commune is coming to life :)

Monday, November 10, 2014

Step 1 (of many) - the CAD

We don't know the entire process we'll have to go through to actually build a house (though we're learning quickly), but do know that step 1 is doing our CAD (Critical Areas Designation). We have wetlands on the property and need to get them delineated (flagged) and categorized so we know what the buffer is so we don't plan to build too close to said wetlands.

This entire process was a bit of a mystery to us, but here's how we did it (not to say this is easiest or most effective, but just happened to work for us).

1) Before we closed, we engaged a wetlands consultant to walk the property and verify that the wetlands that we knew about were the only wetlands around. He came, he bushwhacked, he verified. He even drew us a nice little map. ($500)

2) After we closed, we applied for our CAD with the county. At the time we applied, the county thought the backlog was about 3 months, so they told us to apply, then while we were waiting in line, we could get the consultant to do the delineation and habitat study.

3) While in the county queue, we got another wetlands consultant. The original guy we had was going to charge us $3600 for the delineation, habitat study and report, so we decided to shop around. We had bids that were all over the place - from $900 to $6000 with no appreciable difference - what??? We went with the $1900 guy. He came, he delineated, he wrote a report. And he only charged us $1400 because it took him less time than expected (this is likely the only time ever that something will be cheaper than we originally thought).

4) Once we were through the queue (it actually only took about 6 weeks), the county guy did a site visit, verified the delineation and report and then approved our CAD.

 Step 1?  Complete. Steps 2 through 1,421,392, here we come!