The Real Cost to Build 875' Driveway into the Woods

Today we get real close to finishing the road into the woods and out to the meadow. We talk about actual costs to do this. #smallbusiness #sidehustle #homestead

Good stuff I use

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Cranberry Twp. Pa 16066

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[michaelblair]

If you will back your skid passed the pile instead of turning around twice for every scoop, each cycle will be a total turn of about 30 degrees instead of 360 degrees...you will get an extra 200 to 300 hours on a set of tracks and your machine will last considerably longer before drive components need replaced.

[onthefritzfarm]

I watched all of Tyler’s throws this past weekend. I was rooting for him and talking to the tv cheering him on. 10th in the nation is quite an accomplishment. I’m proud of his dedication.

[freidrichnietzsche]

Great video sir.

Architect/builder here, & we're blessed to have a lot (but never enough) of land in WV that I'm redeveloping (has been "wilding" for about 40 years) and we're fighting this fight. Good thing is my retired pops has a small excavation company and according dump trucks so we don't have to manually move the stone like you're doing here unless we want to or need to touch up a certain area. I've realized that I definitely need a small dump trailer like you have for other misc chores around the tract. Those trailers are handy "like a pocket on a shirt!"

I know you know this, but for the price of delivered stone, you could have them "tailgate" it for you then touch it up with the other equipment you have like the land plane. Will save you a LOT of time. FWIW, for newly cut roads, we almost always put down some type of typar membrane then #1 (or other course aggregate/rip rap) then layer our smaller crushed stone on top of that. Depending on how much water the uphill ditch will have to handle, we may or may not shape large aggregate/rip rap in the ditch with the excavator & skid steer which helps with erosion. Then we liberally sow fescue seed on any fresh cut that remains which usually starts to sprout in as little as a few weeks and further keeps the erosion in check.

Land planes are a godsend for working with that small stone. Also, out in the country like this, put in more culverts than you think you'll need, when one gets blocked you have some redundancy and can avoid road washouts when the boomer storms come.

[charlessabinjr]

Good morning, OWTM. From north-central Idaho.
When I saw this title, I was glad to see this project reach a final stage. Then I thought how this 😮 more than just a road.
During this build, you have taken us on a journey that includes daily home life, successful business expansion and operation.
And, as icing on the cake, moved forward significantly on the development of your West Virginia property.

I salute you and your family for perseverance and endurance, and for what my father would have called internal fortitude - gumption. At 70 years old, I commend you to ours and younger generations as a fine example of living as a free man.

[jasonlohorn]

12k or so to build your road, 40k if you hired it out … but then factor in how much revenue 175 trees might bring in, in terms of firewood or lumber. I think your in better shape than you think .

[jeffroberts]

Another great video. About two years ago we needed to replace the drain field for our septic system and here in north Florida we got 4 quotes ranging from 8000.00 to 12000.00 . Being a contractor for 26 years I decided to do it myself and with machine rental and materials I spent right at 3000.00 . There is not a better feeling than doing it yourself

[toshayonguard]

I feel your Driveway cost my Driveway is 1320 feet and we love it. We lined our Driveway with blooming pear tree’s and everyone that see’s our Driveway tell’s us it is Amazing and they want to know what tree’s are lining our Driveway. When I mow I have had people stop and ask what are the tree’s. Amazing how beautiful tree’s can bring people together. 🤘🏼🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[TomTalley]

Love the mix of action/music, commentary, and conversation. And the choice of music is great. Thanks for all the hard work

[johnsandell]

The progress on the Morgan Highway is fantastic and the number of episodes made on it is a YT success. Melissa's shopping math was how my mother in law thoughts were. You are doing a wonderful job contenting this property improvement. 👍👍👍

[LC]

Good stuff Mike!
2024 comparison Southwest Mass on the CT border. I contracted out a 375 foot road with no gravel/stone just a gravel/sand base mixture, compacted (gravel and stone to come). Tree removal. Small mouse clearing and a turn around area. Trees removed, branches chipped $18000!

[zeebeefpv]

Get some 1/8” acrylic sheet scraps and make a seatbelt-buckle template to plug in while you’re on-property to shut up the dinger!

[Z-Bart]

Must have been fun driving the Big Ford and trailer on your new road to Morgan Park!

[lorallamb]

Thanks for the numbers on making the road! Hi to Hunter!! 32 years old!

[matthewward]

It’s always a great feeling at the end of the day to be able to see what all your hard work has accomplished. Definitely a testament to a good old work ethic. Great job!

[robertdunaway]

That road is looking really good! I think it makes your property look better. You do great work Mike Morgan! Love the channel!

[billyladner]

When I built my house I installed a gravel driveway but every time we had a hard rain I had to boxblade the gravel back on the driveway. About 25 years ago we had a chance to asphalt it. The driveway was 10 ft wide 1 1/2 in thick a d 600 ft long and cost $4000. I think you came out good on your cost. Have fun and stay safe!

[genedingmann]

Impressive!!! Side boards still intact.

[TKCL]

Interesting breakdown and way of looking at it. Long story short, I crave the satisfaction of a job well done. The savings of doing it yourself is huge, as well as the quality of the work. I do it for the enjoyment of it and looking back years down the road saying "I built that". In today's world of mundane and unsatisfied work environments, people don't get many opportunities to see the fruits of their labor.

[lucasstenovitch]

Mike, I love this channel because you do my favorite things. Splitting wood, doing anything with wood, digging dirt, and expanding your property. Me and my dad did that at our property years ago with our small kubota b7500 tractor and backhoe, then bought a kubota rtv 1100 and used it as our mini dump truck to move fill around and then borrowed my uncles skidd steer and kubota kx121-3 mini excavator to do the work as well. We live in Cumberland Rhode Island and we don't have much land where we are, but it feels like we cleared lots of dirt and rocks. Shout out to you. I was here when you had your Polaris ranger and kubota l3901.

[sr]

Beautiful new road driveway. That’s about if work. For those who have or want to do similar, research “recycled crushed concrete”. Where I live it’s about 40 percent less expense and results in cement fines in the backfill. Once it rains crushed concrete aggregate gets very firm.