syndy
Well-Known Member
If things go well with perk test and building applications I should be starting to build my new home in NC by this fall. I will have a monolithic slab with the outward trench 16"w X 30"D plus I have the trenches to dig for the plumbing. (Did this in 2003 here in FL with a shovel and by hand, can't do that up there). Now I have clay and rocks and a 24" bucket on my hoe. I have a few choices, one being rent a trackhoe, hire someone or buy a used 16" bucket.
The cost for renting or hiring is yet unknown, (I'll know next month when I'm up there) I am guessing maybe as much as $1000 for a few days. I need it that long because I have to layout the wall locations for the plumbing and then install and have it inspected. There is a place in OR with used 16" buckets for around $500 but the shipping would be high. I keep looking for used buckets nearer to me and found some in MI, I'll keep looking.
Having a second bucket is no problem as I will sell the backhoe and bucket when i finish my house. If I rent, hire someone or buy a bucket, what size bucket should I get? 16" trench, 16" bucket, makes sense but something tells me maybe slightly smaller like 14 or 15 would give me the end width of 16". In other words by the time the trench is cleaned up a bit it will widen. (Not sure about this in clay). I am putting about $10,000 in concrete into this and every inch wider adds thousands to the job.
I'd like to hear from those of you who do this and have the know how as to bucket/trench size, thanks.
The cost for renting or hiring is yet unknown, (I'll know next month when I'm up there) I am guessing maybe as much as $1000 for a few days. I need it that long because I have to layout the wall locations for the plumbing and then install and have it inspected. There is a place in OR with used 16" buckets for around $500 but the shipping would be high. I keep looking for used buckets nearer to me and found some in MI, I'll keep looking.
Having a second bucket is no problem as I will sell the backhoe and bucket when i finish my house. If I rent, hire someone or buy a bucket, what size bucket should I get? 16" trench, 16" bucket, makes sense but something tells me maybe slightly smaller like 14 or 15 would give me the end width of 16". In other words by the time the trench is cleaned up a bit it will widen. (Not sure about this in clay). I am putting about $10,000 in concrete into this and every inch wider adds thousands to the job.
I'd like to hear from those of you who do this and have the know how as to bucket/trench size, thanks.