Let's put a spa in the compound

Who had this brilliant idea? Geez.
Dig and move some dirt for the second or third time because as we know, things change.
Form for slab, then add some brick sides and electrical. Then put dirt back up to top around the sides, we then have what's called "the vault". Dig some trenches and put in some drains.
All in "two weeks".
Ready to put spa in vault.

That's gonna be really nice when you get it done :thumbup::thumbup:
I'm going through some of the same shit right now :grumble:

How we gonna get this damn thing in back yard? And in the vault. There isn't any side access with the walls up and done now.
Gonna have to go up and over house.

That's when this game changer came into the thought process. Only access is thru the garage.



Now the question is, how is that thing gonna get thru the back garage door?



Damn, that's tight!

So, we used the forks to lift and carry up driveway and into garage.
Lowered it on a few furniture dollies and pushed to the back of garage.
Then lifted it with some webbing straps and started to drive thru back garage door. Only and inch to spare on each side and we still have to raise the boom to get spa over wall. Then the boom would be extended and we would lower it.

That's way to close

Like a gllllove.

Way too stressful. Glad to see your project getting close to completion!

Dug out more dirt and getting ready for deck to be done.
Also doing a masonry sofa, it will hide the footings for the wall and tie in the next tier/ retaining wall.







Removed 6 truckloads of dirt, all had to go thru the garage using a bobcat. What a mess it made!

Added a back up drain in case the primary one in the spa vault ever fails (don't want the vault to fill will water and damage spa equipment).

A hole was cut thru the poured in place concrete wall

Another hole need for a sleeve to be put in for the spa's "Cool Zone", it works like an air conditioner for the spa and can drop the water temp to 60 degrees. The cool zone will sit out side the vault and in a corner on ground level below retaining wall.





This is what the cool zone looks like,

Picked out flagstone and it was delivered with some block to begin the next retaining wall. The flagstone will be used for deck around spa and stairs leading up to and on terrace level.

Looks amazing!

throttle said:

Another hole need for a sleeve to be put in for the spa's "Cool Zone", it works like an air conditioner for the spa and can drop the water temp to 60 degrees. The cool zone will sit out side the vault and in a corner on ground level below retaining wall.

View attachment 479726

View attachment 479727

This is what the cool zone looks like,

View attachment 479729

Click to expand...

AC for the Spa?! You know you have arrived when you can chill your spa! :bowdown:

Time to get back on it. Things starting to take some shape.

Footings for the sofa,





Forms to begin steps

The block sofa was a thought I had to cover the footing for the wall since the deck for the cuzzi would sit lower.

Block being used to build up a sofa with armrests will provide a nice sitting area next to cuzzi.

Flagstone will be used for the deck around cuzzi, removable pieces were cut and placed on a built up platform so the service area could be accessed. Slotted drains used around the outer edges of decking material is seen with red tape. The sofa is visible in background.

I can hardly wait to pee in it!

Why didn't you bury the footing? Great recovery, will look good.

throttle said:

Another hole need for a sleeve to be put in for the spa's "Cool Zone", it works like an air conditioner for the spa and can drop the water temp to 60 degrees. The cool zone will sit out side the vault and in a corner on ground level below retaining wall.

View attachment 479726

View attachment 479727

This is what the cool zone looks like,

View attachment 479729

Click to expand...

Did cool zone come with spa or was it bought separatly?

Heylam said:

Why didn't you bury the footing? Great recovery, will look good.

Click to expand...

The footings were buried, re exposed when we dug out to drop the spa lower. The slope, tiered lots and putting in the retaining wall along with a neighbor not wanting any of his property compromised all were factors (the amount a giant ass rocks in ground didn't help either) that made challenges.
Throw some cushions in the sofa and we might be just fine.

mjc said:

Did cool zone come with spa or was it bought separatly?

Click to expand...

Cool zone is sold separately as an option, we had to pour a slab for it to sit on this week. The install should be easy to do after the holiday weekend I think.

Finally some flagstone getting laid out.



And the next wall got done.

Made some progress this week. Get some more flagstone down and I think we will be ready for stucco.

Going to wait till fall to do the stonework.

Any dirt coming out?

mjc said:

Any dirt coming out?

Click to expand...

I am not sure if he will need to get more out. There are a couple piles left, however it may be needed for backfilling that second wall that just went in. I haven't forgot about you

Looking good. Now enjoy that hot tub

Singleton said:

Looking good. Now enjoy that hot tub

Click to expand...

At least we are not stepping in the dirt around it anymore [emoji848]

Looking good

Really coming together and looking great! What are the plans for wall finish, and are you going to cap them? Any exterior lighting? Can't see risers in photos, any lights? Man you've put a lot of work and time into your back yard, you must be proud of the way it's turning out.

Heylam said:

Really coming together and looking great! What are the plans for wall finish, and are you going to cap them? Any exterior lighting? Can't see risers in photos, any lights? Man you've put a lot of work and time into your back yard, you must be proud of the way it's turning out.

Click to expand...

Lots to do still! However getting to this point feels so good. Been so long in the works.
The sofa area will get a smooth "Santa Barbara" stucco as the remainder of the upper wall will get stucco for now. I plan on either having a flagstone cap on it to match the deck or later if wall gets stone face we will find a different type of cap for it.
The lower wall will get brown coated this week and stay that way until fall or winter when temps drop and we begin to do the bar and bbq area with lower deck and fireplace.
Low voltage lighting are the plan for now (some colored LED's). [emoji106]
The cool zone is gonna be installed tomorrow for the cuzzi. Just in time for the triple digit temps coming next week.

Still working on it. Grout work, flagstone cap on walls and stucco should all be completed soon.

Do you plan on making that your retirement home and moving back to Havasu full time?

Heylam said:

Do you plan on making that your retirement home and moving back to Havasu full time?

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I don't think I would live in havasu full time again. however, a month here and there is not out of the question.

Might be a few ideas - it seems like a lot of these projects have some similarity to your topography.


http://www.contemporist.com/2016/07...-you-inspired-for-a-summer-backyard-makeover/

sirbob said:

Might be a few ideas - it seems like a lot of these projects have some similarity to your topography.


http://www.contemporist.com/2016/07...-you-inspired-for-a-summer-backyard-makeover/

Click to expand...

some cool idea's, where was that when I was trying to brainstorm this project... :thumbsup

Looks good Cameron. Question, how much concrete have you utilized to do this project to date?

Joker said:

Looks good Cameron. Question, how much concrete have you utilized to do this project to date?

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Lost track. Was over 80 yards before the flagstone and two more walls went in. Gonna wait to do the lower section (fire pit and bar/bbq) until November or December. My goal is to have complete by Spring '17. Fingers crossed.

Next up, just over 800 sq ft of pavers from street, down side of garage and behind back garage door.

:thumbsup:thumbsup

Looks amazing Cameron. You're taking your time and doing it the way you want it.

More work showed up...