Tearing up the landscape

[Overhaulin63]

Okay I don't that there is a good solution to my dilemma but I thought I would ask just the same.

My plans for a garage are 200' off the road and probably 100' from my existing garage. My house is too close to the property line to add additional driveway around my attached garage so I thought, long term, I would place a second garage door on the back of my current garage and make a drive through.

My neighbor will let me use his property to bring the trucks in for block and concrete and other supplies, but I don't know how to do this without destroying his property and costing me a fortune to repair.

I have seen where they have laid plywood out to drive over but I don't think that will work for concrete and block trucks as well and any other material or supplies needed to construct.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[kd3pc]

there is really no way to NOT mess up his property, and what "mess up" means different things to different people. Some contracts I have used, says that I must return the property to the condition previous to construction, and if that is the case then I need to charge for, or eat the costs of doing so.

Even with dry weather, plywood, timbers, etc, there will be damage, so plan accordingly. With your neighbor, assuming you want to be on terms with him, when your project is done...I would have a very candid conversation and walk the area, such that he, AND you, completely understand what he considers proper and what he wants things to look like after your project, and time frame.

Many people don't realize that it may take months for disturbed soil to look like it did prior, even with copious work and dressing it out, then grass seeding or landscape features.

I see this every week in my work, and you both need to agree, now, before the construction.

 

[Wizzard]

In my limited experience it often depends on the drivers if they are even willing to drive over soft terrain...many times those concrete/dump truck tires will sink into the earth unless it is hard pack so they will refuse. Only thing I can think of is big steel plates to disperse the loads, don't think 3/4" plywood would even come close to being up for the task. Good luck.

 

[HoosierMark]

Could you use an all terain forklift like they haul on the back of trucks to transport from your drive to the build site. Also what about a pumping truck for the concrete? or a concrete bucket. One way or the other it is going to cost you it sounds like, so which way do you want to pay? I would do my best to stay on my property if at all financially possible. Don't forget to watch for lines in the ground that can be crushed or damaged including when you repair the ruts.

 

[PAToyota]

A concrete truck will even destroy residential paving and compress dry soil significantly. I’ll guess you’re going to be tilling and reseeding your neighbor’s lawn if they drive in.

I’d go with Mark’s idea of transporting materials in and pumping the concrete and keep the trucks in the street if you’re concerned about tearing things up.

 

[kbs2244]

Find a concrete contractor with access to a concrete pump.
200 feet at ground level will be no problem.
And it sure beats wheelborrows.

Thw block can be done with ATV wagons.

 

[iajonesy]

Could you offer to buy a strip of the neighbor's ground? Maybe,for no more than you need to get your access to your new shop, he might sell fairly cheap. Keep on good terms with him,it might pay big dividends in the future.

Mike

 

[ozyborn]

Find a concrete contractor with access to a concrete pump.
200 feet at ground level will be no problem.
And it sure beats wheelborrows.

Thw block can be done with ATV wagons.

Far far better option. Otherwise you will be doing a ton of landscaping as well.

 

[Bronson]

You are going to cut a hole in the back wall of the existing garage and make a "drive through"?

 

[gregtwojeeps]

You are going to cut a hole in the back wall of the existing garage and make a "drive through"?

I see where you going Bronson... ha, just go ahead and make the opening in the existing garage and shuttle the stuff right through it.

 

[Kevin54]

A concrete truck will even destroy residential paving and compress dry soil significantly. I’ll guess you’re going to be tilling and reseeding your neighbor’s lawn if they drive in.

I’d go with Mark’s idea of transporting materials in and pumping the concrete and keep the trucks in the street if you’re concerned about tearing things up.

One thing to factor in is the type of soil, the type of grass, and how dry things are.

The yard next door that I mow weekly used to be a pasture, and we have clay ground. I had to time things I did so as to not tear things up. A couple of years ago, I had 45 tandem axle loads of dirt brought in through that area. It never tore the grass up at all. BUT......I told the truck drivers to distribute the driving path over various areas, but to follow a certain direction.

So you have to plan out what you are doing, stay as close to your building as what you can. That's a lot of reason for setbacks....to allow room for a truck on your property without encroaching on your neighbors property. I also make sure that I clear everything with the neighbor first, and if it takes a contract, then so be it, but I will leave things in a better shape than it was previously. I always allocate money "just in case" things get tore up.

And if you don't have room for a driveway beside your house, and you are wanting a "drive-thru" garage, then allocate money for the rent of a skidsteer to move block, stone, sand, and so on. You can rent one on an afternoon or on a Saturday afternoon for a Sunday, and move a hell of a lot of things working through the night.

Plan things carefully, and in some sort of order, so you have very minimal damage to your neighbors property. Myself, if you want a "drive-thru" garage, do that before you do anything else, and get that out of the way. Then all lumber, block, brick, metal, and so on can be taken through that area, and only encroach on your neighbors property for the absolute "gotta do it" sort of stuff.

And above all, make sure you make it up to your neighbor if his lawn gets tore up. Not only till the compacted area, but get a load of real good topsoil, some real good seed that matches what the lawn is, some straw, invite his family over for a BBQ, and above all, don't bang his wife. Getting along with the neighbors is a huge plus if you need to get things done on your property.

I mow my neighbors 5 acre yard, previously pasture on a weekly basis at my expense. In lieu of doing that, I have total use of the pasture for access into my backyard until things are finalized as far as me tearing **** up. The neighbor and us, we have a great relationship with her, and I couldn't ask for a better neighbor. My wife often starts raising trees that start sprouting in the flowerbeds, and I asked Tina (the neighbor) if she would care if we planted some of the taller ones in the 5 acres here and there, and she said to plant them wherever we wanted. Not only does things like that make for good neighbors, but it's a win-win for all. She gets some trees that she doesn't have to buy, she gets some free landscaping, plus it keeps the property values up, or gaining.