Building Permit and Utilities

I finally got my building permit on Monday, so now the ball is back in my court. I finally finished grading my driveway last week. And lately I've been working to get my utilities put in. My water meter was installed last Friday at the end of my driveway. Yesterday my dad and I started clearing a 30-foot wide path through the trees for a new power line up to my house, which involved hacking our way through 6-foot high brambles and brush and then cutting down about six hardwood trees. We cut down four yesterday, so we've got two left. I really hated to see them go, but it had to be done, and now I'll have plenty of quality firewood. Three of the trees fell into the pasture, so we'll have to get those cut up and moved back into the tree line. Also, the environmental/conservation people came out yesterday to test my soil for my septic tank, so that's out of the way. By the way, utilities are pricey!
Water meter = $600
Septic soil test = $500
And there's more to come. Fortunately the electric line won't cost anything to get it up near my yard.

Today I plan to finish clearing the trees for the electric line. When that's done, I'll call the electric department to come out and put in their poles and lines. Then I'll need to install a temporary power pole. I'll also need to rent a trenching machine to put in a water line along my driveway. After that, I'll finalize laying out the site for my foundation and get started on excavation.

There's a lot to do, so I'd better get busy!