When we posted a blog a few weeks ago, we knew power had been run to our pedestal, but we hadn’t been out here to actually see it. As it turns out, they trenched it in. Which means a giant muddy mess all the way across our flower beds and side yard. Our neighbor was kind enough to get our trailer hooked up to the pedestal, so we have electricity!!!
Getting power hooked up was the catalyst for everything else. First up was internet. Endeavor got out here the quickest and had us setup with internet in about an hour. Which means I’m posting this blog from the farm! We are lucky to live in a rural area with fiber…our internet is fast!
Next up was water. Eli from English Well Drilling came out and trenched in over 500 feet of water line (during a rainstorm) and put in a yard hydrant. The yard hydrant sits just a couple feet from our electric pedestal. We went this route because our trailer sits where our barn will be built in the future. Both water and power will be necessary in the barn, so we ran those services with the intent of them being permanent. The well is run off of one of our 200amp disconnects in the pedestal. Cost of running water from halfway across our property? About $2000. Yes, that’s a bit steep, but it was necessary both for our current living situation and for the future barn.
Last up was septic hook-up. The septic system is huge, so it can easily support our small 2-bedroom trailer. Baker Septic Service was out here within 2 days of us calling them. They figured out exactly what we need, got the parts and got right to work. And they loved our dog (who felt the need to ‘help’ at every given opportunity)!
Our septic hook-up is temporary. There was no permanent option that would be feasible with our barn. If we need a septic connection for the barn, it will require a pit with a pump. Which is much more expensive and will need to be located directly beside or inside the barn. Cost for septic hook-up? About $1100. Like the trailer moving cost, this cost is part of our ‘rent’. So we’re up to $4600 over the next year vs. $14,000 to rent an apartment.
It’s not a needed utility, but one of us likes to watch every televised football game, so we got DirecTV. Cable doesn’t exist out here, so going with a satellite dish was our only option. I’ve not had TV in years, so the very few times I get to watch HGTV are awesome!
Everything is done that needs to be done so we can live at the farm! The trailer is actually quiet cozy. Even though stuff is packed in here, it’s better than either one of us anticipated. Our final step is getting our Certificate of Occupancy. Our well and septic electric lines need to be put in conduit and we have to build steps for the front and back doors; then we’ll be ready for our final inspection.
We’re moving right along! Before we know it, we’ll be meeting with the drafter to draw up house plans!!
Peace, Love, & Farming,
The Murphy’s