Home improvements time?
 

Is this a good time to get an extra room or two put onto our house? Has all the crap going on put any downward pressure on contractors' prices?

Sort of - give it another month or so and they'll be beggin you for the biz.

Does it cost more to build in the snow and ice?

I've read that since people are having a hard time buying new houses, they are staying in their old ones and fixing them up. So, No. Of course, ymmv. Markets vary in different regions, etc. etc.

Can't remember the last time we had any winter weather here before Jan.

Not since global warming hit, anyway. :stickpoke:

Seriously, are you guys warmer over there? It's always likely to blizzard in December, November, even October, though it certainly doesn't happen like the days of yore.

It seems to have shifted more than anything else.

Yeh, relatively cool summer here. Was yours hot? How are the palm trees doing?

I would imagine the materials that have to be trucked in have raised in price. Maybe you should go local for materials and really local for the help.

The contractors I know are really looking for work this time of year and you may be in luck as far as timing is concerned. This is when they begin to struggle with job shortages. Look at a lot of bids.

I read stuff to this effect in the "how to increase sales" section of the company handouts in the break room...so, I doubt prices have dropped

Our delivery fees went up like $20 last month, so I would guess that's also accurate. :D

Hot summer, yes...but I'm sure no worse than any of the past 43 summers I've spent in Ohio.

Palm trees...puh.

I just figured you guys over there didn't have that different a climate than I. I was being serious if inclement weather has ill effects on building projects: delays, higher costs etc. Or is it like the postal service "rain nor sleet nor dark of night..."

I think they are comparable - this has been a very mild year - not so hot in the summer and a pretty warm winter.

We've had a beautiful fall. If I remember correctly spring was good too...for too long it seemed like one day it was 90 below and the next it was 100 in the shade!

Why renovate?
There must be scores of unoccupied McMansions in your area. Is there any chance your renovation budget could be used to buy one on the cheap?

Interesting thought. Though it would require getting our house all ready to sell, and then moving.

Just occurred to me: ... AND finding someone who wants to buy YOUR house. Hmm. Might be a wee bit difficult.

That's why you renovate, then sell. You guys are all backwards. ;)

After much consideration, reconsideration, and inconsideration, we have decided to do it. Plans, drawings, permits, etc. starting tomorrow (meeting the contrator & architect at 9AM). Everything should be done by Easter.

Crazy ass motherfucker, welcome to hell.

Which Easter? :haha:

Easter: Find out if your contractor is waiting for the rapture as well. Hate to get left behind with your project unfinished.

I agree. Supporting local business puts money into your city. That's a good thing all around.

That's just the kind of encouragement and support I've come to expect from my compadres at The Cellar. :3_eyes:

Besides, how do you know *I* won't be outta here when the rapture comes?

BTW, the architect wanted a copy of our deed with the description of the property boundary on it. As a result, I noticed for the first time that my name is misspelled on the deed.

The new construction may encroach on the power line. ("may" = there will probably be about 6" of clearance.) This isn't fabulous news (though not a disaster), because if it has to be moved, it'll have to be done by the electric company on their schedule schedule, which is sure to throw a monkey wrench into the calendar.

There was a view counter on Brianna's naughty pic.

What? Did I miss it?

Not according to our records.

I have a friend who is putting on an addition, tripling his living space.
The tale is too long to post but reads like a greek tragedy. One problem after another with contractors, inspections, supplies, design etc. He's way over budget, in the hole and his employment situation isn't the most stable in the world.

The wife unit and I will NOT be going this route.

She has fallen in love. Her idea is to move to FLORIDA, buy a small place after selling our current digs. But not to actually LIVE there. Oh no! We're becoming nomads, wandering aimlessly from locale to locale, making friends and enjoying our golden years. In this!

I'll feel right at home as the drivers' seat looks just like my truck. But more gauges.

Not to damper you enthusiasm, just temper it with a dash of reality, Bro.
Projects that involve two people at three times as complicated and take that much longer. Three people, six times, etc. That's not even getting into areas like dishonesty or the sky falling.

However you probably have enough built in pessimism to cope, and at least you won't have to deal with the high divorce rate that comes with DIY projects. :)