The question on Victoria Mason’s mind was what she should do
with her land? She could build, but was that the right thing to do?
After lots and lots of thought, Victoria decided that living
on the land full-time was not for her; however, she wanted to use it more for
weekend getaways and breaks from the daily grind.
So she started her research…
What sort of dwelling would fit the land?
Teepee? Dome? Cabin?
Then she saw it…
In the beginning of the summer, Victoria saw a cabin listed
on Craigslist, but she would need to move it herself; which seemed like an
impossible task with no construction experience or the ability to budge it an inch.
But she wanted it…
She asked for time, but the homeowner stated that there had
been lots of interest, and that the first person to move it can have it.
So Victoria Mason went to work and called everyone who could
possibly move a small house.
All of the cabin movers said no.
All of the home movers wanted too much (those of who didn’t
say no).
These no’s could have been considered a setback, but they
weren’t because everyone else interested in the cabin were having the same
troubles.
Then Victoria Mason’s luck changed…
She came across BICO Transportation, a small independent
company that she never heard of.
She called, and within a few minutes Josh Fendell called her
back.
Victoria told Josh of her need, the issues, and that no one
would even attempt it due to what needed to be done.
Others had said that there was no way to move the cabin. The
big house moving companies could possibly do it, but to the impossible nature
of the move it would cost her well over $10,000 for the one day run.
An impossible move and a big stack of no’s didn’t scare
Josh…it intrigued him, and he went out and summed up the job.
Josh’s first thoughts should have been to run, but he
didn’t.
Josh did not want to take the job after he saw what everyone
before him saw. The time, the work, and overwhelming issues weren’t worth the
money. He would have said no, but Victoria’s positive enthusiasm and can do
attitude was catchy, and so Josh said yes.
Of course…
That yes was just a yes with no physical means to move the
cabin.
So what were the issues?
The cabin itself is beautiful. The 14’ x 20’ layout is
perfect for small house living or for the romantic getaway. Cedar shingle
siding adds that rustic and warming look, and while there is a question to the
age (1920’s or 1930’s) of the cabin, there is no doubt that it was rolled in on
logs decades ago.
Of course the cabin had steps and a covered porch (that was
part of the roof line) that would have to be removed prior to moving it, which
was the first noticeable issue.
The bigger issue was that there was no way to get under it
without destroying the cabin…it could not be moved as-is.
Also…
Even if BICO could get the cabin free of the land that it
has been sitting on for years, then there were the issues of where it was
going.
Victoria Mason has a beautiful 5 acre lot. A perfect
backdrop for this old house (cabin).
However…
- It is open farm land
- It’s on a flood plain
- Limited access
- Building anything takes permits…lots and lots of permits
Josh wanted to help, but didn’t know how to help.
Over the next couple of months the cabin sat. Nobody could
or would move it. During this time, Victoria and Josh were talking and
exchanging ideas.
Then Josh saw a workable solution in one of Victoria’s
ideas.
Building on the land was a no-no, but a home on wheels was
okay, and with that Victoria got the go ahead from the governmental powers that
be to proceed.
They had the end result…
Although the situation hadn’t changed, they approached with
a newly refreshed attitude.
They had a win…no matter how small it was…they had a win.
Victoria looked at tiny home trailers, but they cost way too
much. RV trailers were the wrong fit as well.
Then came along a burnt down 52’ office trailer. The trailer
itself was perfect (just missing the office that once sat on top of it).
Perfect trailer, just not perfect for this particular cabin.
Luckily Josh is one of those people that know people…“I’ll
have it taken care of…I have a guy”.
That 52’ trailer was cut down and modified to accommodate
the 20’ cabin.
The plan was coming together…
Then the timeframe was moved up…
The trailer wasn’t ready…no brakes, no lights, no wiring,
not road ready…simply a rolling chassis.
Josh shook off despair and got it done.
Then came the cabin itself…
There was no way to lift onto the trailer, or even get
underneath it.
And so they jacked up the house…4” at a time, placing cinder
blocks as they went. From there, a completely new frame was built under the
house. Then they continued to go up, until the cabin was high enough off of the
ground to back the trailer underneath of it.
Then came the best part (up to that point)…
The trailer and the cabin became a single unit as they were
secured together.
It has to be said (as it is important), that on the day of
the move it was the re-telling of the “The Perfect Storm”. The rain was
pouring down hard, and the wind could knock you off of your feet.
Perfect weather for a big move…
The team set off down the road.
The weather was unforgiving, but they made it unharmed.
Then came the biggest struggle of all of their issues…
How to get the cabin to its new location on the property?
The ground was soaked and saturated from all of the rain.
There was no way to avoid being stuck.
Victoria, however, had access to the dike. If Josh could
somehow get up onto the dike, keep a steady hand along the tight path, follow
it, and then come back off of it; they might have a chance. If anything,
getting stuck at that point would at least be in the general area of the final
destination.
They mapped out the idea, and went forth with it.
BICO Transportation never got stuck once, and they placed
the cabin in the perfect location.
After everything…
It worked out perfect. Not one shingle was out of place.
The truth is that this move never would have happened
without both Josh and Victoria. Neither one gave up, and they fed off of each
other’s positive energy. It would have easy to quit because it wasn’t worth it,
but the truth is that it was worth it. Every piece of this move was worth it.
Afterwards Josh stated that, “I did it. No one else would do
it, but I did it.”
That’s not Josh being egotistical. That’s a confirmation
that BICO Transportation has a very important role to play in this world. BICO
is a vital part to the moving and transportation industry.
The big guys said
no. The little guys said no.
BICO said yes.
BICO Transportation is here to stay. We thrive on the
impossible. We like saying yes when others say no.
We are BICO!!!!!
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