What did you go over budget on and why?
saftgeek
11 years ago
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phoggie
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agosweet.reverie
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Why did you go gas instead of induction?
Comments (25)Induction is not more efficient than gas! Most of the power in this country comes from coal used to heat water which produces steam used to drive a turbine and using this system only gives you 35% thermodynamic efficiency. So what if an induction cooktop can turn electricity into heat at 90% efficiency? The electricity to produce the heat was generated at 35% efficiency so the induction cooktop is 35% efficient when you open your eyes and consider the whole energy cycle. Sorry to get on the soap box over this but I hear people talk about induction efficiency without really understanding the whole situation. I try to stamp out the induction efficiency myth whenever I see it. That said, my reason for going gas is versatility (can't roast a pepper on an induction stove or cook without a generator when the power goes out). I like to use any pot I want. I like the visceral experience of gas, the theater and romance of the flame. My house looks historic so I wanted a gas rangetop (Bluestar) since iron, gas and flame are more historic than nouveau induction and it's sleek euro manifestations. I like my pans to stay in place on the burner without a non-skid pad. I like stick shift in a car and unix flavored operating systems on a computer and center stick control in a plane (yokes are tacky). I like to feel engaged in whatever I'm doing. I don't want something to be too automatic or easy because then it becomes boring. I'm sure I'll think of more reasons but that's where I'm coming from....See MoreGoing over budget on an addition?
Comments (1)A general rule of thumb is to add 20-30% to your estimates from builders. And read the contracts very carefully to find out how they handle change requests. There WILL be change requests and suprises. There are all kinds of things that can make a difference. One of the first is "scope creep" -- the thought that "while we're at it, we may as well do this too..." (That's what got us from a simple mudroom addition to a 2-story, 1100 sq ft addition.) Windows can be very expensive, but cheap windows can cost you in the long run (heating / AC issues with bad seals.) Complex roof lines can be expensive. So for example if you angle the corners of the new space, that makes the roof more complex and therefore more costly. Also depending on how you'll handle the roof of your addition, you may end up re-roofing a much larger section to make it fit in. Even though you won't have plumbing in the addition, there may be plumbing near it that's affected. For example, does the sewer line run under where the addition will be? If so, how deep is it? How deep will your addition's foundation be? Are there any pipes that run along the connecting wall between the old house and new addition? (You might be surprised -- we were.) Your addition's foundation can affect the price: full basement vs crawl vs slab. Are there trees on the property near the spot for the addition? If you have large trees you want to save, contact an arborist to ask about protecting the roots and whether they can be saved. (It would suck to have a tree fall on your new addition because the roots got damaged and you didn't know.) I'm sure there are many more. You're doing a good thing by researching and asking questions....See MoreWhy did you pick your PB over the others you interviewed?
Comments (1)Ooops! Posted in the wrong forum....See MoreWhy did you pick your PB over the others you interviewed?
Comments (15)Hey, thejimbar- Since you responded to at least one post of mine I would like to respond to yours. When I found this forum it was because I almost went down the road with a pool builder with "questionable creditials". I found a post on this forum saying someone was also put off by their salesperson who was not very forthcoming with all the associated costs and upcharges upfront. My experience too. Maybe that company (not your PB) has built great pools for others, I don't know as I never got past the lack of verifiable industry credentials issue. I have found my concerns verified later by other sources and have warned others too when I had the chance based on my experience. My search continued (continues) as I realized I needed to know more so that I could hopefully avoid the pitfalls that many have shared on this board. Particularly, in terms of contract terms and pricing, what's left off in the bids and what you find out is not included or you didn't think of ('cause ya just don't know this stuff), product comparisions . . . I can only say I wish people would share more. I appreciate everyone who takes the time to respond on this board and offers their advice professional or experience wise. I am sorry to see that sometimes things get a little confrontational here at times. I know I wish I would have phrased things differently more than once in my life. Anyway, if you check back in to read this . . . I did enjoy your pool photos and appreciated your willingness to share from your personal experience and perspective. Sometimes, I have chosen to share some specifics whether negative or positive feedback off-the board via a specifically designated e-mail (NJFolks@gmail.com). This has worked both ways in making myself or the other personal more comfortable in an exchange of either more detailed or personal information, arranging visits, etc. I have really appreciated the people who have tried to share with me and it always encourages me to offer help or information to others when I can. Boy, even being anonymous on the internet has its risks, but I hope it has had its rewards as well since there are many other people like myself just trying to struggle with the stress of such a major purchase. Maybe that's what accounts for the some of the tension at times. I'm still PB-less and pool-less, so enjoy yours! It did turn out beatiful and for that you should be thankful. We should all be so lucky and that just may be it. But we have to go by what we know at the time, so if you have had a bad experience with someone it is hard to ignore or not want to warn others. I could weigh in on both sides of this particular PB, but in the end you are "not your PB's keeper." Being a good neighbor, though and trying to look out for the other guy can be, well tying at times. I do understand your feelings, so thanks again for sharing. Hope this helps since those of us who have had a toughter go of things don't have a beautiful pool to cool-off in ;)....See Moresaftgeek
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agosweet.reverie
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoMistman
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