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I'm looking to buy land in Puna. I heard about potential subsurface lava tubes, so I'd like to get a geotech study done before I buy a property. I spoke to Leslie's Drilling (a geotech company), however, and they told me that their study involves a large drill that would need access to the property. All the land I'm looking at is vacant and has pretty thick vegetation that would probably prohibit a large rig from accessing the property.
Is it possible for a geotech study to be done -- perhaps with smaller tools -- on these rainforest properties without any clearing being done? If so, can anyone recommend a geotech engineer who does this?
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Unless your looking at commercial property, the geologic survey is going to cost you more than the land. No one does it for a house.
Buy it, run a D9 over it a few times if it don't fall in a hole your good to go
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Yeah, I agree. The D9's are amazing. I hired one and didn't really understand what they do. I now have about 3 feet of cut up rock now, on half of my property that is flat and safe. The rest of my 2 acres is still undulating with numerous puka's (surface tubes).
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Wow, those D9's look epic. I like the way you guys think. Judging by the last post, then, is this the way lots are generally leveled?
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D9s are, in my opinion, the nuclear option- fast and brutal. It depends on what you want to do and the lay of your land.
I had a long, curving driveway and a building pad cut and graded with a smaller dozer and a skilled operator. Couldn't be happier with the results.
But then again, I have a relatively level lot and no desire to rip and roll pin-to-pin.
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Quote: "The D9 is 13 feet wide, so anywhere it goes will be at least 13 feet wide."
If not clearing pin-to-pin, the best use of a D9 is for driveway and housepad, after which it should never visit the property again.
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Thanks for the input, guys. I've never built a home before, so I'm just picking brains and trying to learn as much as I can. [
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This is a great place to do that. Master the search function for a wealth of info. Just remember that not all situations are equal.
ETA: and ALWAYS consider the source, you can't beat the value of actual local experience vs a theory.
David
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Some areas are more difficult to level than others. Mine is in upper Orchidland if that helps at all.
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Don't clear more than you have to. Once you clear, invasive species will come in and you will spend a lot of time dealing with them.
Me ka ha`aha`a,
Mike
