Chapter 4 Site preparation and factory work

One aspect of our project that took us by surprise at the outset was that site preparation including our foundation were not included in our contract and contract pricing with Huf Haus.  In my Internet surfing before we signed our contract, I had come across an amusing YouTube video about a couple in the UK who were worried that their foundation wouldn't be poured in time for the arrival of their construction team.  But we didn't initially put two and two together to figure out that all the prep work had to be done separately.

We were also surprised in February 2013 when the Huf Haus team visited our site for the first time and expressed concern that our 1500 foot gravel driveway might not accommodate the required 70-ton crane and shipping containers without significant modification.  In the fine print of the contract, this is the sole responsibility of the owner and we might have incurred significant unanticipated costs.  Fortunately our designers had connected with Chris Kontour of CPK Construction in Cleveland OH (CPK Construction). 

Chris was previously involved in the construction of SmartHome Cleveland.  He met Alexander Kolbe during a walking tour of the passive house before it was moved to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.  He actually made several trips to Hartenfels to familiarize himself with Huf Haus' trademark precision construction techniques.  He prepared reasonable estimates for the road work which involved 200 tons of stone, for the foundation including storm water management, excavation and back-fill, utility tie-ins, and for the geothermal system.  As a construction contractor, he has proved to be extremely accommodating and knowledgeable.  His crew did a great job, as we could see during our visit on May 4, 2013: 

 

 

 



 



Speaking of the factory, immediately after our February 2012 site visit, work was started in Hartenfels on the house. 

 

 

These panels will look very familiar when I post photos of the completed project.  By May 7, 2013, all of the components of our glass and timber home were loaded onto trucks for their transatlantic trip.

 

 

 

More about the high tech construction in my next chapter.