NEW CONSTRUCTION HOME ON CATAWBA COURT

We are starting a new home in Hide-A-Way Hills. There are a few important things to consider when building in Hide-A-Way Hills which may be different than when building in other areas.
1) The building lots in H-A-H are much smaller than lots outside of the Hills.
2) The building lots in H-A-H tend to have a much more aggressive terrain than in other areas.
3) There are no public utilities in Hide-A-Way Hills.
4) Hide-A-Way Hills is an hour away from a large metropolitan area.
5) Hide-A-Way Hills institutes vehicle load weight limits during the winter months.

After looking at several different lots with myself and their Realtor, my customers decided on a half acre lot on Catawba Court. Before purchasing the lot we had a soil evaluation done to assure that a septic system would be approved for the size home they wanted to build.

The next step was to select an area on the lot to build the home and driveway, and to clear the trees. In Hide-A-Way Hills there are regulations regarding the removal of trees.

Framing the Golf Course Restrooms

Over the Memorial Say weekend I gathered some volunteers to help me frame the new Restrooms for the Hide-A-Way Hills Golf Course.

The 3 day weekend was hot, but luckily the rain stayed away so we could get the framing portion done.

Now that the building is framed we can shingle the roof, install the doors and windows, and apply the trim.

Hide-A-Way Hills Golf Course Restroom Project Block Foundations

This weekend the weather cooperated an we were able to get the concrete block foundations in on the Restroom Project at The Hide-A-Way Hills Golf Course.

Paving Stone Patio

I was recently called by a customer on Nez Perce in Hide-A-Way Hills to replace a patio. The existing patio had been built using 12x12 flag stones. The flag stones had been installed incorrectly and had become uneven and cracked causing an unsightly and dangerous area.


To install the new patio the old stones were removed along with the pea gravel underneath. We then placed a border of pressure treated 6x6 timbers to contain a base of compacted, crushed limestone.


The limestone was then covered with a layer of leveled sand to to provide a stable base to set the paving stones. The patern we chose is called Muster K it is made with offset crosses of 4x6 stones with 4x4 stones filling in .

Kusa Room Addition

This week we broke ground

on Kusa Lane in Hide-A-Way Hills. The sloped lot is typical for H-A-H and creates interesting if not difficult building conditions. Our excavator is very experienced working on these types of home sites and was able to create an area to build on that will minimise the effect of the water from the hillside above.

Floor Tile in Lakefront Bathroom

The drywall on our lakefront remodel is finished, sanded, and primed. Today we installed the tile floor. The owners chose a 1" hexagon tile that we applied over 1/4 " concrete backer board.

Lakefront Bathroom Remodel Continues

The work continues at our lake front remodel. A new 34"x 60" fiberglass shower has been installed to replace the old 32"x 32" unit. These showers are designed to fit in bathrooms that have a standard 5' tub, but worked out great in our new design.


The walls have been insulated and drywalled and the first 2 coats of joint compound have been applied.

Bathroom Remodel on a Lakefront Cabin

This week we started work on a Bathroom Remodel on a Lakefront Cabin in Hide-A-Way Hills. The owners requested a larger shower along with adding a laundry. Because of the age and original use of the cabin, there is not a current laundry. Cabins which are missing laundry facilities are not uncommon in HAH. This is the second laundry addition since March.























The pictures taken at the beginning of the project display the old fixtures , paneling, and the original use of space. By expanding the bath area into a small hallway and reconfiguring the two closets, we were able to create an area to add a stackable washer-dryer.

In our demo, we thought we were removing the original bathroom in the cabin. However, in talking with a long time member of Hide-A-Way Hills, and previous owner of the cabin, I learned he had upgraded this bathroom many years ago. I had never heard of such an item, but it appears the cabin was built with a destroy-let, a toilet without water that used propane burners to incinerate the waste.

New Deck on Alpine Drive

One of our latest projects at Scott Martin Construction is a New Deck on Alpine Drive in Hide-A-Way Hills.

The old 5'x8' deck was in pretty bad shape and needed to be removed.

After the old deck was removed we begin construction of the new 16'x22' multi-level deck.

Holes for concrete foundations are dug 32" below grade, to prevent movement during freezing and thawing. 4x4 support posts are then attatched using galvanised brackets.

2x8 joists are installed 16" on center over twin 2x10 beams.

Hard Wood Floor Progress

The progress continues on our Taos Lane Hard Wood Floor.

Hard Wood Floor

Our current project at Scott Martin Construction is a Hard Wood Floor installation in a home on Taos Lane in Hide-A-Way Hills. The scope of this project will entail removing all the kitchen cabinets, taking out existing ceramic tile, removing a pantry to allow a new pantry to be constructed in a more convenient location, installing a patio door where a window once was located and re-installing the original kitchen cabinetry.

Door Replacement

As part of the porch remodel on Kusa Lane in Hide-A-Way Hills, the owners chose to replace the existing steel front door with a new solid wood door. The Nine light solid fir door was finished with exterior spar urethane to allow the natural colors of the wood to be seen.

Old Door

New Door

Cedar Siding at Kato Court

The Kato Court Cedar Siding project has been completed. During the siding installation, we were also contracted to build a new back deck along with installing a new patio door and a new window. Changing the siding on this home dramatically changed the appearance. To see how we can bring a new appearance to your home, contact me for a free design consultation

Kato Court

The progress continues on the Cedar Reside at Kato Court.

Cedar Reside

This week we started an exterior siding project on Kato Court in Hide-A-Way Hills. A major remodel is currently occuring on the home. SMC has been sub-contracted to tackle the siding portion of the home's remodel. Originally, the house was sided with T-111 siding. The owner's choice of a new exterior will include a stained cedar lap siding installed over a house-wrap. Does your home need an exterior face lift? Feel free to contact me to discuss make-over options for your home.

Sky Lights

This week's project is a roof replacement on Cherokee Lane in Hide-A-Way Hills. The roof had developed some leaks over the Winter mainly in the area of some of the six Sky Lights. When we removed the shingles we found that two of the Sky Lights had been installed incorrectly and that none of them had been installed to our standards.

Water leaks are a common problem with Sky Lights, but with the proper precautions the Sky Lights I install, or the roofs I install around them virtually never leak.

My technique is to apply a self-adhering modified-bitumen underlayment to seal the Sky Light curb to the roof deck creating a watertight barrier. When the shingles and flashing are installed the underlayment is designed to seal around nails that are driven through it to provide continuous protection year after year.

Shelter House

Over the Weekend I headed up a volunteer project here at home in Hide-A-Way Hills. The Golf Committee aproached me with the idea of building a Shelter House at the Golf Course. As an avid golfer and customer of the Club House I thought it was a great idea. With the help of several volunteers we were able to erect the 24'x32' Shelter House on Saturday and Sunday, and roof it on Monday.

Club House Tile

The Hide-A-Way Hills Club House Face lift continues with the tile being grouted, the ceiling and walls getting a fresh coat of paint, and new bar stools ordered.

Club House Floor

This weekend I started a project that I have wanted to do for quite some time. The carpeting in the Hide-A-Way Hills Golf Club House was worn and needed replaced. Last Fall during the Buckeye Football Games held at the Club House, the funds were raised to purchase ceramic tile as an alternative to new carpet, which would quickly wear out again. With a host of fellow member volunteers we removed the old carpet, bar stools , and a stationary step which held the stools. The Hardi Backer underlayment and ceramic tile were installed next. We should finish the project in a few days, which will allow plenty of time to be ready for the Club House's season opening on April 14.