Excavating/grading question

[jpcjguy]

Ayuh,.... Those pictures certainly do hi-light the lay of the land,...

Looks like Plan A is the best option,....
A culvert under the drive right in the wet spot,....

Is the snow bank jambin' up the water off the driveway, 'n goin' down 'tween the trees,..??
Lowerin' that last bit of grass, just past the last culvert arrow up the swale, might help better drain the tree area above it,...

In the pic just in front of my excursion is where the water comes down the driveway and to the low spot and eventually across the yard into the neighbors yard.

 

[Ironcrow]

12 ft ceilings for a lift

12 feet is not tall enough for a lift. Go with 13 ft. Sure you can make do with 12 ft, but you will fight which exact lift you can install, where exactly it will go, what cars exactly can you fit on it, where the garage door rolls up, which operator you use and where it will be placed, where the lights have to be placed...Do yourself a favor and build it at 13-14 ft.

 

[justin1795]

another thing you may want to consider is getting your contractor locked in now. looks like your going to need some dirt. can be hard to find at times close to you. if you select a contractor he can keep a eye out for some close by and have it hauled in. i felt like i was waiting on dirt to show up all year long. these contractors get busy in the spring time and dont generally turn into the most respectfull people when it comes to returning calls ect.

i played with pictures all winter too and had calculations. by the time sod was striped and ground was shaped it looked pretty good. looked like a couple loads of dirt. when you start trying to slope the hill the dirt goes really fast .