To Build or Not to Build? And if so where?
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 27 мар 2024
- Get 50% off your first order of Sundays: sundaysfordogs.com/themorgans or use code "THEMORGANS" at checkout
Today we go look at a little project at a local baseball field we are going to do, then take a hike in the woods and try to decide if and where we are going to build another building.
Our Website: www.outdoorswiththemorgans.com
Our FaceBook Page / outdoorswiththemorgans
Our Instagram outdoorswiththe...
Our Amazon Affiliate Store www.amazon.com/shop/influence...
Our Address: Outdoors with the Morgans
P.O. Box 2140
Cranberry Twp. Pa 16066
Partners and Sponsors
Kubota USA www.kubotausa.com
Wolfe Ridge Log Splitters www.wolferidgemfg.com
Stihl www.stihlusa.com
OUR EQUIPMENT LIST
Kubota KX-057-5 Excavator
Kubota SVL 97-2 Skid Loader
Kubota MX 5400 Utility Tractor
Kubota LX4020 Tractor
Wolfe Ridge Pro 28C Commercial Log Splitter
Woodmizer LT50 Sawmill
Split Force SF 11/16 Self Propelled Log Splitter
Split-Fire 4209 Log Splitter on Excavator
Kubota SideKick UTV
Polaris Sporstman 850 4 wheeler 
Хобби
Get 50% off your first order of Sundays: sundaysfordogs.com/themorgans or use code "THEMORGANS" at checkout
Advice from an old man that worked until age 70. You have lots to do and time is the enemy. How many more projects do you really need that will give to less time to enjoy grandkids, family, dogs and free time to explore our beautiful country. I love your videos and work ethic. Health and happiness can come to dead stop, keep that top of mind sir....
Man that is a great point - this guy seems like he’s too busy now that you mention that
I certainly wouldn’t want to live like that. Nothing wrong with sawing logs into planks and logs and selling them to the townies to keep you fit and fill your day in , but thats it. All the best from England.
Mike- I realize that we all have different ideas and goals on what is important on the land that we own, but here's my 2 cents worth. I love the outdoors , the wildlife, the hunting, and feeling you get when you take a hike or ride the trails in it's natural setting. The fewer buildings the better, but if I had to have them, I would want them as close to the house as possible and as few as possible. Ask yourself, if you start selling lumber, all you going to be happy with your customers driving all the way back to your clearing? I have a feeling that even though you have RUclips, you guys enjoy your privacy. More buildings more taxes. Good luck.
But he does have the interstate road now.
Mike.... You had mentioned that if you ever built a new home it would be a barndominium... Maybe build your home out in the clearing and use the front part of your property where your current home is to run your lumber/firewood business? Then you don't have the general public driving all thru your property...It's always easy to spend someone else's money 😂😂.. Love the channel....!
Mike, the electrical wire nowadays can be bare underground with no conduct, like always check the code in your area, now at it end you would need a 3' 90 % Electrical pipe ,also pipe up the building and/ or pole.
I wonder if a bank barn in one of the small Ravines by the wood yard might work. Drive in upper and lower.
I don’t know but I think you’re looking at this backwards. Build a new wood yard on the flatlands you have widen where Nessary, move the equipment that all run on their own power up there. With a new pavilion and wood storage bin/s. Then no power is required there. Have power run down to the existing woo yard for the kiln and still have room for equipment parking. There’s more to my idea but hopefully you see the advantage.
Here's my 2 cents. I'd clear up some more of that area where you ended up the video, put a new building there, and move all the firewood operation out there. It's right next to your road so your tree service guys could get there with their truck, and it doesn't require power. Then, close in the building where you have the sawmill and make that your lumber storage. Put the new kiln on the pad where you have the firewood bunker. Power is close by, and your lumber customers would have easy access for pickup.
agree 100%
I really like your idea. Hope Mike does as well!
My thoughts exactly
Mike, first of all I enjoy your videos unlike any others. Having said that I speak to you with experience now that I’m in my 70’s. There will be a day in a blink of an eye that your dreams will not be physically possible. Now I know that you have kids that would easily be able to take over your dreams and maybe you’ve already have had those discussions but if not I just throw some caution your way. It’s time for you to just enjoy what you already have and take your lovely wife and kids and grandkids to
West Virginia. Again thanks for sharing your life with us.
I'd rather work till I die
@@michaelmcgovern3538Aged care facilities are full of people who expressed similar sentiments.
With the cost of running power to the clearing being so expensive, how about running power to the wood yard and having the firewood processing moved out to the clearing which does not require electricity. The road would have to be improved up to the current wood yard so that big trucks could bring logs out to the clearing, I suppose you would have to decide where to spend the money: Big cable out to clearing, or road improvement building construction out in the clearing. Now that the firewood portion has been moved to the clearing a Kiln could be built on the concrete pad which is currently the wood bunker. The pavilion could be enclosed, and woodworking machines installed. A second building could be built to house the dried lumber and green lumber waiting for the kiln. Just something to consider, looking forward to finding out what you and Melissa decide to do. Great video thumbs up...and good luck Mike.
How about moving the firewood operation to the clearing and reworking, adding on to the existing building for the sawing, storing and drying operation.
Been watching almost from the beginning. Thanks for the great content.
Regards from Durango, Colorado.
I like that idea too.
What does he do when it is too muddy to use the trails?
@@i.r.wayright1457 he gets concrete with the Hauses!! After all he did build the interstate!
yes no electricity required for the clearing, lumber safe and secure in the wood yard, electricity close by. Or how much more can one man do????? You have a lot of irons in the fire right now. Another option is to rent a building somewhere that has power and easy access
Hello! 😊 Sometimes a guy has to ask himself, "Am I running my business or is my business running me?". And another question, "How much is enough?". Life is short and we must take time to smell the roses.
Good morning David 😸
Morning guys!
Good morning!
@@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans Hi Mike!
Morning all.... spring is on its way....
Hi Mike, I am local andI use to Umpire for the Eagle County Adult League on that field almost 20 years ago. Never seen the cows but the cow patties were there. That field has turned around because of volunteers like you. Good job and your video's are enjoyable to watch.
Mike check out Diesel Creek. He ran power into his new building. He dug the ditch buried the conduit put pads for the connection boxes. Pulled a string through to pull cable. Power company would not let him pull the cable, if I remember right. They charged an exorbitant amount for what they did. May be a bigger expense than you thought.
$50,000 !
Exactly what I was coming into say. Rock and a hard place. The energy companies have the upper hand and they know it and charge accordingly.
That was a great video with the shop vac lol it worked great
if I remember correctly, it ran $50,000 for the pulling and the transformer box. Next option is a Big Diesel generator but the noise factor is the problem I have a 35KW and you can hear it running about 4 acres away.
here goes: pour a new pad for a firewood bunker at the very end of the area you already have cleared where you currently store firewood in containers. Move the concrete blocks to new bunker and build an open air/covered shed next to it just big enough to house your splitting operation and whatever else you need there. Cover the current firewood bunker pad with roof and move log splitter there. Close in current open building and put the kiln(s), dried lumber storage and "retail" area there, with a little left over for storage of (whatever). Basically, convert the current open bldg and firewood bunker to complete lumber operation and move the firewood processing further down the area you have. You talked about adding a road in that lower area previously.....you can go ahead and do that so all firewood "traffic" can go in and out of that access. IMO, don't even consider putting buildings out in the clearing right in the middle of the natural area.
I like this idea
Me too.
That’s my thought. Firewood processing doesn’t need power
I likee!!!
I Like this idea, it makes sense. And I would make a bigger firewood bunker leaving opening on the bottom for more air flow. Who knows in the future you might get a firewood processor.
Here on the east coast of Canada Hardwood sales have declined sharply because woodworkers are aging out. Please do your math to make sure this is a long term viable option. At least start out small and prove it is viable before dumping a lot of money into infrastructure. This is my wife's account. I am a 58 yr old retired civil engineer and the few comments I have read you are getting some honest good advice. Think this one through.
Closer to the house and into the hillside.
Close in the building you have, put a lean too on the back for your equipment, dry and store what you have room for. Your close to 60, enjoy your family and the Virginia cabin, we work our whole life and then we die !, now is the time to reap the enjoyment out of working all those years. You have enough to keep you from getting bored.
the mohawk is adorable! 🥰
Morning Mike. Thanks for the video. My advice to you is live your dream while you can. I’m ten years older than you and I’m here to tell you that our bodies do slow down in our 60’s. With that, enjoy life and do what makes you happy.☕️🦌
After assembling all of your information on the various options take it all along for a weekend at the cabin. It’s amazing what walking in the woods does for calming our over active minds and helping to remember whats important. Turn off the cell phones if you can.
I think you and Melissa should do what makes you happy. It's important to keep busy or what I call relevant. It gives purpose, a feeling of accomplishment and your ideas are consistent with what you enjoy and do. I like where you're going with this. God Bless and keep pushing forward :)
You have some great plans for the clearing. You'll do your homework and make the best decision for you and your family. Stay safe.
Mike, been watching your videos long enough to know for a fact that any spot you choose will be made into the best place available for it's intended purpose. And the vast majority of us will enjoy watching every minute of the videos produced for the project. Looking forward to seeing the project, whatever you decide!
Lots of people with opinions. My opinion, do whatever you want!
Something that might be helpful to think about: I’m on about 130 acres. Right now I have everything right by my house kind of like your wood yard. I have plans to build a new building, and when I do, I’m going to do it far away at a better spot and relocate just about everything to that. Your pavilion and wood yard are lovely but the stuff you’re talking about building out will rapidly exceed the fixed structure there. So, you might think about placing things with relocating the whole operation in mind.
But more than anything, do whatever you want
Mike, I think you should wait on a future building project. You are doing enough. Use you time to enjoy your grand kids and family. You are doing fine as you are.
Beautiful pups ...
Hi Mike, I just built a 40x60 Pole barn with 1 side lean to (20x60) near Pensacola for about $200K last year. It has concrete under everything, 200a service, 2 14'x14' insulated garage doors, 3 mini split HVAC units, A full shower/BR with a 17x25 shop/office area. I did the electric feed (I'm and Electrical Eng) and had the utility run high voltage to a ground mounted transformer near the building. I ran the last 80ft to a 40 circuit 200a breaker box in the building. The utility charged me $5K to run my high voltage feed to their transformer which was 650 feet on our 15.5a property. You will need at least 1.5" conduit and at 80ft, 250MCM aluminum service wire for 200a single phase power (240v). You may consider having 3 phase brought in as well to run your higher current equipment?
Yes.... I am turning 65 this year and had those thoughts too. I am moving to the Pcola area from South Jersey by mid year. I like antique cars and want to fool around with them when I retire... in a few years. Good luck and love the channel... Wayne
Personally I'd keep the sawmill just to create lumber for myself and a few friends. Use that lumber to finish the cabin and build other things. I would just focus on the firewood side of things and spend time down at the cabin relaxing. By taking on all these other projects that cabin will just be sitting empty while you spend more time creating work for yourself. We are the same age and that is just my thought on what I'd do. Whatever you do, make sure you are enjoying it or it just becomes a job.
I agree. Maybe even expand the wood bunker. You still have trees down from the storm that need to be cleaned up. You have access to all the firewood poles you want. Produce enough firewood so you never run out. Keep the lumber on a smaller scale and go full force with firewood. Expanding the wood bunker would be a lot cheaper than another building. Sometimes less is better. Would the lumber ever pay for the new building? Mike, you're not old, but you're also not 35 anymore. That's just my opinion. Keep up the good work. I enjoy watching your channel.
Take it step by step. You have the kiln coming and the dump truck as well. No need to rush into expansion so fast.
Every time I watch your videos I think, man this guy is living the dream, don’t turn your dream into a nightmare. I thought the clearing project was a great idea. We’re about the same age and the older I get, less is better! Enjoy the grandkids!
Just watching this episode and glad to hear you are trying to weigh all the options. Always a good thing instead of rushing into an idea without thinking it through. Always enjoy every posting.👍
Personally I would expand the current wood yard if at all possible. Close enough for power to be run easily and easy enough for log trucks to get in and out. Leave the sawmill in its current building with the firewood operation and either put the kiln in a new building in the saw yard and have storage in the same building or put the kiln in your existing building by the house and build a smaller building in the wood yard for KD lumber. If you’re just going to offer rough sawn KD lumber that would be the best and easiest solution. However if you want to surface the lumber and sell S4s or even S2s you will need a large and I mean large planer and lots of power. Probably enough to support a 24-36” planer with 2 20-40hp motors and they’d be 3phase. Going any smaller you will spend more time trying to flatten or surface boards than anything.
I know this has rambled on but I’m in the same boat somewhat. I’m in the middle of building a barn for my mill it’s a 12x40 just for the mill and I’m going to a 16x24 for the lumber for now. Right now I surface lumber with a 20” planer with a 5hp motor and it’s slow as molasses, it would probably take me most of a day to plane 1,000 board feet smooth with it. My buddy has a 36” double head planer and we could plane the same amount on his in less than an hour. That’s the only way to do it to make money unless you plan to do it as a hobby only.
Happy Easter Mike and Melissa and family. I hope you have a great weekend.
MIKE, if you don’t plan to sell the property it may be a good time to have a meeting of the entire family as to what is built and where. Just food for thought. “Keep on Keeping on!” Tim in northern TN
What about putting the mill/kiln area in the pre-existing post/beam building and put all your splitting and sorting area in the new area. No need for electricity at the splitting / sorting area. Also store all the bins in the new area. You could use your pre-existing wood bin cement pad for a new dried lumber storage or the kiln
Good Morning Morgan Family 🌞- Have a Wonderful and Blessed Day 🤠. I’m definitely a planner like you. The good thing is you not in a rush to make decision.
Mike I would like to see the area between your building you have now, and the wood yard. If it would be possible to build there. Having everything close together is a plus in my book, being able to walk from the house or other buildings is so convenient. The power is close by, and checking on kiln or your outdoor furnace, and the security issue, buildings out by themselves are a target for thieves. Good luck John
Ain't nothing wrong with a good plan. Keep on keeping on...
Hi Mike, you lament the state of the economy/country, but yet you share the current good health/medical care of your family, business success, equipment holdings, “company” growth and new land holdings.
I know you all work hard and work to get everything you have, but when people in the world are desperate for clean bowl of water for their kids, it is hard for me to criticize the USA!
Thx for bringing us along with you. 😊😊😊 John Ken
That new camera is stunning. Especially in the sunny outdoor footage.
Mike this is just a thought that could benefit you more. Don't you have a shipping container down at the wood yard? What if you moved the container down where the burn pit is but away from the pit. Then level out behind the container was. Then you are close to the saw mill and you could easily put power to the pole building and some lights over the saw mill and wood splitter to use on dark gloomy days. Have you thought about that? Yes it might take a little work to level it out maybe. You might rent a dozer for a day or two to do the majority of the work but that seems like the most logical solution to me. Have a great day.
Good luck Mike for whatever decision you make. Stay safe.
You could put the wood dryer in with the sawmill where it presently is located, do your lumberyard there since you don’t need power for the firewood, yard move that operation to one of your outlying properties
I may have missed it, but was the stone amount from 2023 ever revealed?
Hey Mike here's my 2 cents, I'd find and or make room in your current wood yard where everything is already there including electric, take an areal photo and see where there's room for a large building, keep all your eggs in one basket. Might have to move things around including your wood bunk but I think you could do it.keep up the great videos!
Mike I think the best place for your new building is the flat area on the left half way to the clearing. The cost to run power would be a lot less and you would have a lot of room for expansion
Mike- I guess I'm going to play Devil's Advocate here when I ask when is your plate of things to do full. When you were doing the clearing project, building the road, putting up the building at the wood yard etc, etc there was a noticable excitement in your voice. That excitement is missing when discussing this potential project. Think long and hard my friend. Every idea does not have to come to fruition.
Mike, your fan in AK.... My thoughts... As you get more homes and a larger population, your land value increases, thus your taxes increase. Development of your bare land raises your taxes also. Up here in Anchorage, I've met great people that were taxed right off their land... As prices increase, people sell off land they don't use...
The pole building in the wood yard would be great in the clearing... Chain saws running and all the noise your neighbors must secretly hate you for... Perhaps the kiln would be better in that building and move the wood yard out to the clearing... Just a thought... You will get it right, you always do....
Hello,
I am a utility locator down here in VA and i deal with power every day at work.. Heres a bit of facts for you to help with planning. where ever you plan to have the building, the power seconday feeding the meter will only be for max of 300 feet from a transformer due to voltage loss on the cable.. Also depending on the over head lines, you might not be able to be fed from thoses, if they are transmission lines.. Power usually gets steped down 4 times before a meter.....
Power plant on transmission lines to substation into a switch, from there along a baulk feeder to a switch cabinet, then broken down into primary cable to feed transformer then finally broken into secondary to feed meter.
Also keep in mind what the building power requirements are going to be, since if it will need more than 500 amps sounds like it might end up being 3 phase power as most houses are powered by less than 500 amp one phase.... If you need 3 phase you will need to have a CT cabinet installed and then you will be dealing with power easements for such lines feeding the transformers. also the moment the meter goes active the power company assumes ownership and maintenance all the way to the meter.
Hi Hunter!!!
Hey Mike: I'm one of your everyday viewers and would like to add this to your thoughts. I wouldn't expand from what you have now unless your son is going to take over the operation. Face it, you're not getting any younger and you might just end up biting off more than you're willing to chew. Instead, concentrate on building your fuel 'shed', rebuilding your chicken coup and building a hunting blind down at the new property. That should keep you busy for a while. And with all your skill and materials, etc., why not think about giving back to the community (example: park benches along trails, gazebo or two in parks) or what have you. You're a great guy and the community would love you for it!
The 2nd option seems best to me for all the reasons you enumerated, so I concur!
On the other issue, I am about to move a very long ways and part of our plan is a mini homestead and firewood business there. I am fairly recently reretired. My wife is not in good health, but I can piddle/work at home and nap when I want. I am 69. 😮 I started "working" in our family business at age 7. I never expected to just sit down. So go get 'em tiger!!
Get ready for sticker shock on running power!!!
Move the wood ops to the clearing and increase the size of the Pavillion
My $0.02......
I'm always looking for smaller quantities of good hardwood, and sometimes its difficult to find and damned expensive when you do. So there is a market for the scale you mentioned. 1) you can never have enough weather-tight storage. 2) You have the wood supply. 3) You have the equipment to do the job. 4) You have the talent and labor for the scale you mentioned. 5) Customer access should be as far away from your home as possible. 6) Money in the bank!
But if you don't feel like doing it, then no perceived advantage in the world matters a durn.
How about adding to your sawmill building and putting the kiln in a small building next to...or moving...the wood storage. Building several small buildings to efficiently use limited space could be an option. You might have to dig out the hill more and build a retaining wall. Just going to get used to having less space around your buildings too.
Close in the pavilion and move the wood yard to the clearing. Then go solar for the pavilion .
Just my 2 cents
Hey Mike from Northern Ireland.
I’m rooting for you to go for the new venture. You won’t regret it. Just think of all the fantastic things which would get built from all that amazing wood. Down the line you could have a go at making a slab top table. They sell for a fortune and with your profile on RUclips it would go like hot cakes.
Loving all you guys do. Keep up the good work.
Move some of the gear in your large shed with the mill in it, and either use it or extend it a bit. Besides, what ended up in the house end of the big garage at the house, as some of the gear down on the bottom flat likely should be back up there.
Morning Mike et'all, 🌞 and 50ish....
Pete 🇨🇦
The further out you get will decrease comfort. You mentioned a boiler, now you need water. Wait i need to use the bathroom, septic tank.
Just thoughts. However like several have said time goes by quick, enjoy with a smaller setup.
Dear Mike. Sometimes it's ok to be satisfied with what you have.
Wood boiler with heated floors I assume? Sounds like a HUGE project!
Mike , why not do it next too de sawmill ? Road already built, close proximity to lumber and mill. Less moving wood around that way.
If I was in your position I would continue to do the firewood and enjoy using the saw mill. Also I would get the cabin finished and you and Melissa enjoy the fruits of all your years of hard work. It seems to me that you already have more to do than you have time for.
So good to see the dogs
You got this, Mike...Move the firewood operation to the clearing. No power required. Enclose and expand your current woodyard to accommodate cutting and drying lumber. Good luck!! Peace from a 71-year old - retired in Daytona Beach Florida
You built that clearing for food plots and attracting wildlife with shooting shed over looking it. Nice clear shot. Now you want a building right in the middle of it? Don't do it! My imput and idea would be the opisit side of your work area driveway where the log truck unloads and where the green conex box is. Take that bank out even more than you already did. Take it all the way to the tree line. Build a retaining wall. Build your building there.
Ya do it. You have a vision of what would go on. Also think of custom shaped building to fit in a particular spot
Hi Mike you always have so much on the go, why not finish all the projects before moving onto more work. Cheers
The area on top that you cleared has just the right pitch for drainage. I think opening up a little more space up there is a good idea. Do any of the other buildings you have need power. If so, I would run power to all of them one shot. Great show, We appreciate your kindness to all your viewers as we feel like we are sitting at your table discussing your ideas and worldly matters.
Things to think about.... ice/snow for access in the winter. access for customers. for an electrical run of that distance, a step up xfomer and a step down at the usage end, will save wire size and line loss. I don't know the cost of the xformers though. Mention that to the power company and let us know! Good luck with it Mike.
Could you move the firewood operation out to the clearing then expand and close in the pole barn in the wood yard for the wood shop?
Good luck with your decision. Improving your business and property is never a bad thing.
You could start off smaller and see how it goes by adding some lean to's to your sawmill shed and perimeter . Put mental pallet rack like lumber yards do Menards and the like. They store lumber around the perimeters as well. Just think in terms of making your current wood yard along those lines. Just a thought.
Hi Mike love the Channel. Just my two cents from a Canadian in Northern Ontario. We build long narrow wood storage sheds here. Double wide, double stacked or triple times length so 18 to 20 feet wide by 100 or 120 on the left along ur road to the clearing might work.
Mike it's interesting! Your turning this into a business? Or a Hobby? If it's a business it can get out of control! If it's a Hobby enjoy! It's awesome to watch you grow
As a hobby woodworker I prefer to. Get wet rough cut lumber. I have. Let it air dry and plane it down. Never had a problem with.
If the brick house isn't too far from the trail/road where it was flat, maybe that would be a shorter run for power, plus you would have better security being in proximity to Levi and could even add an additional access to to that property. Just a thought without knowing the actual layout and property dimensions. Good luck though; I have the same type of property and selecting locations for projects on "usable" land is challenging, lol.
what about the space between the building and the woodyard .You could move the road over to the left (looking from the the house towards the yard)
Good morning Mike,
I am here in Charlotte, NC. The high Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday are forecasted to be 71°, 76°, 81°and 86°.
I am announcing that Spring will officially arrive here in Charlotte, tomorrow. How sweet it is!
The spring here in Charlotte is just fantastic. We have nice warm days in the mid-70's and the lows will still be in 30's, 40's and 50's. The humidity does not exist at this time of year. Working outside is a joy.
Have a great day Mike,
Alan from NC
Orchard
Hey Mike. Man that’s a big agenda. I know you are loving the making of lumber. This almost sounds like a full time job. I understand the mill. Then the kiln to dry it but that leads to needing someplace to store the dried lumber which will lead to selling loading and shipping the lumber. You’re going to need a bigger crew if you are going to be able to hunt and spend time at the cabin. Which needs some work too. Wish I had your energy buddy. I just don’t have it the older I get I Well I’ll let you figure that out…. Good luck brother. We are cheering you on…..
I wouldn't build on the meadow that you've worked hard to make, in my opinion. Your plans on having fruit trees and how the deer have been attracted to that area are great.
Camera quality is really good in this video!
The walk and talks are nice. Do one with the wifey soon. 👌
If it was mine, I would move the firewood operation out to the clearing and close in the sawmill shed as your building. You have enough room up there to build a small sawmill shed. Just a thought. - Tim
Hi Mike and family,
I think I would try to add the lumber and kiln operation to the current woodyard. Maybe fill and flatten more area there.
Do another cut and fill.
I would save the clearing for the new (or move ) hunting shack/ shooting range. Thanks take care.
Also I saw an older video and you mentioned taking the drone up and showing the straight line wind damaged trees. Thanks
You will get it all worked out it will be great can't wait love your videos thank you
Could you enclose the wood yard building and add on enough to keep the sawmill near by, run electric from your house and then build a smaller building out in the clearing and move the firewood production out there since that is all self powered
I forget the distance DieselCreek did for a power line, I think about 2,000 feet. He lives near Burgettstown. But he installed the conduit himself and I think had to have the pull tape in place too and all they had to do was pull the wire, set boxes, and I think a transformer for 50k! I'd build by the house going out the trail to the left and not fill.
Got some good juggling skills there!
Mike, what about putting the fire wood operations at the brick house where you cleaned up the land last year
Your dogs are awesome!!!!
Hey Mike!
I would caution against going in too deep with timber production. Theres a reason the big boys play with such big $$$ machinery. It’s the only way they can stay competitive. They pump so much log thru it they can offer premium for logs and still make a good overall profit.
Also if you scale your business do you really want to be opening lines of credit and chasing builders for money?
I bought a sawmill to guilt me into stop buying lumber for farm projects unless I mill it myself. But it was just so easy to buy lumber to build the shed for it so I wouldn’t have to mill in the sun. Then I had a period of rain and my farm worker was finishing up in 2 weeks so I bought more lumber so we could build a mezzanine in the shed. Point I’m trying to make is things haven’t worked out the way I thought but at least with boundaries I can prioritise what matters when it matters.
Also adding value to your property can make it more difficult to sell. My neighbour put a 2nd property (dream house) and they lost money because in the end nobody valued the 1st original home and it took them 3yrs to sell because it was beyond the price range for what our area could command.
Anyways please remember your grandkids will not remember you for how hard you worked, they will remember you for how smart you were in the decisions you made with your families legacy.
I completely understand your struggle. The luxury of financial freedom and choice is a curse that I’m glad to have but it leaves me “stumped” every time I contemplate it.
I think the idea about constructing your new building in the woodyard is the best option! Electricity is near,it is level, close to your house, and on and on! Move the firewood operations to the clearing where it is self propelled and convert your pavilion by adding on and creating your kiln and storage facility there! Why not? Seems like the best option to me if you decide you HAVE to increase your workload!
We continue to enjoy your videos and seeing your great family! Keep up the good stuff and have a day!
From beautiful western Colorado!
Solar isn't cheap either, Mike, from what i remember with Erin & Josh in WV i think they spent once they added the second half of their solar array and battery and components were about $30,000. Because it was going to be really expensive to run power lines into their farm and home and still have a big power bill every month. So its not cheap either way you go.
Do you not have enough land to the right of the road going down to the wood yard just past the gate .maybe make the builiding narrow and long right there in the area.
Hilly property can definitely stomp the brakes on building plans for sure.
If i were you i would keep it all close to the sawmill as much as you can.
But i dont know your land boudaries so easier said than done.
There goes Melissa’s pool again. Lol
The gears are always turning with you Mike! Channel is interesting to watch I might add....
you were right somebody is going to mention solar, and I understand if you powered a kiln that would be difficult to power with solar. However, you have plenty of wood to build your own solar kiln, which would be a lot cheaper than buying a powered solar account and you could build it with all the wood you have. Then you’re getting closer to being able to power the rest of the demand with solar electricity.
Pray about it , think more , chat more with your better half .
Hi Mike, Always enjoy your channel. About your potential new building project. Have considered using two 40' sea containers with a arched poly roof span. It is easy to move , install and easy to enlarge if needed. Not mention cheaper.Just a though. Keep up the good work.
Mike, with your plans for the cabin in West Virginia, will your future plans for the wood yard interfer with your West Virginia plans? I'm 76 years old and believe me time goes by fast from where you are agewise. Your planning should include where you want to be 10 years from now. How important are your family ties? You don't want your business to run you and make excuses of why you can't go to grandkids events and the next thing you know your grandkids are old enough that they really don't care if grandpa and grandma are present. You and your wife seem to enjoy your West Virginia trips and the atmosphere of the woods I know you are not a person to sit around. At my age there is so much stuff I used to be able to do, I grew up in a carpenter's family. Today I struggle with not being able to do physically what I used to do just ten years ago.I've been watching you for years and planning is a big thing with you. Where you are in life now, I don't envy your decisions. Your work ethic is supreme and you need to ask yourself how you see yourself ten years from now. The more you develop your property will your property reduce the buying public market when you want to sell? I would check with a local realtor with your concerns as far as a market and what is the situation today.