Flathead Valley Resources (Kalispell, Polson, Columbia Falls: rental, appliances, Home Depot)

[DataResearchGuy]

All,


I own about 20 acres of raw land in the Flathead Valley area and am going to begin clearing and setting it up for a series of DIY construction. It's heavily wooded and I'm going to keep it that way aside from a few trees here and there for the roads and build site.


So, I'm looking for resources throughout the process, such as:


- where to find potable water I can haul in until I finally get a well
- which businesses to rent a tractor/mini-excavator/backhoe
- the best places to buy lumber
- where to buy a utility trailer
- which businesses around Kalispell allow you to haul away their pallets for free
- the best places to buy a woodstove, off-grid type appliances, and so on


That's a good list of basics to start with. Any tips, advice, etc., are welcome.


Thanks in advance!

[KNPV PSD]

If you have not done it already, I would contact the regional forester and have them come out and go over your land with you. I learned a ton about my place, but I am also very green when it comes to owning and taking care of timbered land.

As far as equipment rental is concerned I use the Cat Rental Store on 93.

[DataResearchGuy]

Originally Posted by KNPV PSD

If you have not done it already, I would contact the regional forester and have them come out and go over your land with you. I learned a ton about my place, but I am also very green when it comes to owning and taking care of timbered land.

As far as equipment rental is concerned I use the Cat Rental Store on 93.

Thank you for your response!


I've never heard of a "regional forester." Is there some county or state office that falls under?


How were the service and prices from the Cat Rental Store? Did they deliver? Could you find the types of machines and equipment you needed? Attachments?


Thanks again!

[DataResearchGuy]

Does anyone know where to get potable water for totes/Jeep can/RV?


How about where to find free wood pallets?

[Clark Fork Fantast]

There is at least one place in Sanders Ct with a roadside frostfree spring, in Heron. People stop there to fill jugs and containers. That's a bit of a journey from the Flathead, but you may try calling the Polson Chamber of Commerce, (406) 883-5969. They may know of similar public water sources. If you're willing to pay for water delivery, there is a Culligan service out of Kalispell.

And congrats on your 20 acres, and good luck with your project! We are putting the finishing touches on our retirement home over in Clark Fork, ID, on 5 wooded acres. I could give you some pointers related to Bonner Ct, but that is not much help for you locally.

[DataResearchGuy]

Originally Posted by Clark Fork Fantast

There is at least one place in Sanders Ct with a roadside frostfree spring, in Heron. People stop there to fill jugs and containers. That's a bit of a journey from the Flathead, but you may try calling the Polson Chamber of Commerce, (406) 883-5969. They may know of similar public water sources. If you're willing to pay for water delivery, there is a Culligan service out of Kalispell.

And congrats on your 20 acres, and good luck with your project! We are putting the finishing touches on our retirement home over in Clark Fork, ID, on 5 wooded acres. I could give you some pointers related to Bonner Ct, but that is not much help for you locally.

Thank you so much for the tips and info! I'll take a look at those options.


Does Culligan deliver to remote properties that are approx 30 mins from town?


Thank you for also sharing about your retirement home project. I'd definitely love to get any tips, pointers, POCs, lessons learned, etc., for that. I'm retired, but my wife is still working, so we're basically doing a modified "Snowbird" approach now. So I'm working on the property whenever I have time to get out there, which also means going for quick, easy, and efficient when it comes to building and utility options.


Does anyone know of some local businesses that sell affordable logs, timbers, for building?

(Aside from big box stores)

[KNPV PSD]

Originally Posted by DataResearchGuy

Thank you for your response!


I've never heard of a "regional forester." Is there some county or state office that falls under?

https://dnrc.mt.gov/Forestry/Forest-...local-forester

Montana Dept Natural Resources. Our taxes pay for them already, so it's great to actually see a return on the investment.


How were the service and prices from the Cat Rental Store? Did they deliver? Could you find the types of machines and equipment you needed? Attachments?

I've used them and Big Sky which got bought out by Sunbelt. I used the one on HWY 93 at south end of Kalispell. They delivered for an extra fee. I needed a rough terrain scissor lift with outriggers. They only had a bigger machine than I needed, but the manager gave me the larger machine at the rate for the machine I wanted. They have an online inventory https://www.westernstatescat.com/rental/rental-store/

Thanks again![/quote]

[DataResearchGuy]

Originally Posted by KNPV PSD

https://dnrc.mt.gov/Forestry/Forest-...local-forester

Montana Dept Natural Resources. Our taxes pay for them already, so it's great to actually see a return on the investment.

Nice!! How often does THAT happen, right?

How were the service and prices from the Cat Rental Store? Did they deliver? Could you find the types of machines and equipment you needed? Attachments?

I've used them and Big Sky which got bought out by Sunbelt. I used the one on HWY 93 at south end of Kalispell. They delivered for an extra fee. I needed a rough terrain scissor lift with outriggers. They only had a bigger machine than I needed, but the manager gave me the larger machine at the rate for the machine I wanted. They have an online inventory https://www.westernstatescat.com/rental/rental-store/

Wow! Great info, thank you so much!!

[redmeadow15]

Originally Posted by DataResearchGuy

All,


I own about 20 acres of raw land in the Flathead Valley area and am going to begin clearing and setting it up for a series of DIY construction. It's heavily wooded and I'm going to keep it that way aside from a few trees here and there for the roads and build site.


So, I'm looking for resources throughout the process, such as:


- where to find potable water I can haul in until I finally get a well
- which businesses to rent a tractor/mini-excavator/backhoe
- the best places to buy lumber
- where to buy a utility trailer
- which businesses around Kalispell allow you to haul away their pallets for free
- the best places to buy a woodstove, off-grid type appliances, and so on


That's a good list of basics to start with. Any tips, advice, etc., are welcome.


Thanks in advance!

Potable water: There is a spring in the canyon on HWY 2 headed into Hungry Horse. It's called Berne Park.
Business to rent equipment: Cat Rental or Midway Rental
Lumber: Lowes, Home Depot, Wester Building Center, Badger Building Center
Utility Trailer: There is a place on LaSalle North of the airport. I think it's called PJ's Trailers.
Pallets: Most businesses will allow you to take their pallets if you talk with them. I know that Murdoch's in Columbia Falls will sometimes set out their pallets for the taking.
Woodstove: Anderson's Masonry.

For your land, definitely contact Stoltze Lumber in Columbia Falls. Ask to speak with a forester. They will come out and teach you about your land. If you want to to log it a little, they can help with that as well.

[DataResearchGuy]

Originally Posted by redmeadow15

Potable water: There is a spring in the canyon on HWY 2 headed into Hungry Horse. It's called Berne Park.
Business to rent equipment: Cat Rental or Midway Rental
Lumber: Lowes, Home Depot, Wester Building Center, Badger Building Center
Utility Trailer: There is a place on LaSalle North of the airport. I think it's called PJ's Trailers.
Pallets: Most businesses will allow you to take their pallets if you talk with them. I know that Murdoch's in Columbia Falls will sometimes set out their pallets for the taking.
Woodstove: Anderson's Masonry.

For your land, definitely contact Stoltze Lumber in Columbia Falls. Ask to speak with a forester. They will come out and teach you about your land. If you want to to log it a little, they can help with that as well.

Potable water: There is a spring in the canyon on HWY 2 headed into Hungry Horse. It's called Berne Park.

Wouldn't that still need to be treated? Is there some type of spigot to fill containers or totes?

Utility Trailer: There is a place on LaSalle North of the airport. I think it's called PJ's Trailers.

I'll have to check that out. I cannot BELIEVE how expensive utility trailers have gotten.

Pallets: Most businesses will allow you to take their pallets if you talk with them. I know that Murdoch's in Columbia Falls will sometimes set out their pallets for the taking.

That's what it looked like to me, but I wanted to err on the side of caution.

Thank you for the response and the info!!