New build, why are outlets placed so low on walls?
leslie1228
6 years ago
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Why is building so stressful ?
Comments (21)I'm not sure what all the reasons are, but I am feeling the stress. We are in the trim stages of our house (this is our third build) and this one has been the worst. Part of it is our builder; part of it is my age (don't ask--but I did hit the half century mark last year), part is the length of time it takes to build (I don't do big projects well), and then there are all the decisions AND the consequences of the decisions. And, no matter how hard you try, you are almost always over budget. Just yesterday my trim carpender showed my master closet (DH has his own), and I almost fainted. It was much too small and I just hadn't anticipated how much space would be taken after the trim was in. So, now we are considering knocking out the outside wall (walk out basement, so it will have to be an overhang over the basement) to make the closet bigger. We are down sizing about 400 sq. ft. and already the laundry, pantry and mudroom feel too small. I think my DH knew that the closet was the last straw (he is the one really wanting to downsize). I actually think I have had chest pains this week (surely just stress). We haven't taken a day off since Christmas--always doing something on one of the houses (oh, did I mention--our other house is one the market as well). So, there ya have it--didn't mean to dump on you guys--but since you brought it up--thought I would add my two cents. And stress is cumulative--so, it's time to get some relief and be finished with this build!! And, I would hire someone to help. Doesn't always have to be someone who is trained professionally. I have a "real" designer, (95.00 an hour) and a decorater (35.00 and hour). I only use the designer when I want help with cabinet design etc. My other girl can help with color choices and floor cordination etc. Just a thought....See MoreDo you ever worry that you think about your new build so much...
Comments (26)Same here with the frustration and depression to be moved in but not really "finished". And knowing that will actually take years since we did all the work ourselves and I'm totally burned out. And yet I've been doing this for a year now and I struggle to turn the "builder's brain" off. That being said, the SO proposed this spring when we moved in, so I've swapped "builder's brain" for "marriage planning" and suddenly I have a whole new hobby to keep me busy. I of course, feared that I was replacing one obsession with another and post-wedding would likely find myself doubly-depressed...only to realize that we're gung-ho to start our family so we're pretty much going to never stop and just be bored again in our lives. Which is kinda terrifying too....See MoreNew pool build in So Cal.
Comments (49)janetlong: Thanks we love the color as well. Our sod has a few spots that are yellowing (dying?). I water it three times a day for about 7-10 min. each or until I see it start puddling. I read somewhere that the yellowing may be ok after a few weeks (crossing fingers). If not I'll cut it out and replace. Most of the lawn is coming in pretty good. The PB came by today tested the water and added some acid and chlorine. He turned the pump on to make sure all the equipment was working. I think we may have our final inspection tomorrow. It's so cool sitting back there and not only seeing all the blue water but hearing it as it flows over the two spill ways....See MoreWhy is this house so expensive to build?
Comments (45)I get that reaction. What you might be looking for is a GC who can "get" with your building goals: Beautiful result, on a realistic budget. Let me be clearer: You don't really want to "bypass" builder's suppliers, but you ARE looking for the vendors that can build to your budget. That means: --- You're looking for a GC who will give you line-by-line itemization. ALL of it, to really lay out the cost. 190-300 line items, depending on the complexity. Don't shoot yourself- a bid like this is, truly, a "blue print" for you. My last custom build was a hybrid- fixed costs on 2/3rds of the bid (infrastructure) plus the 1/3 that was classified as "allowances". I was very specific with certain wants, so he knew to find a supplier for the best price on the cooktop I wanted, the tile I thought I'd need, the plumbing fixtures and on and on. SO awesome, since, at every stage? I was free to choose something more expensive, if warranted, but also saw my path to the budget I was asking for, It was TOTALLY important for me to have the majority of my budget at fixed cost, since I was building in a hot, hot, hot market where labor costs could go up in an instant- I mean that. A bid for labor that jumps 35% in 2 weeks? Screw you- we find other avenues. And by "we" I mean my contractor. Yep. He did, and it was great. There were places that I increased my own budget. For example- stucco. I had a choice, and I ended up choosing the most expensive option- an integral color, never paint the thing stucco. The upgrade cost on that (and my true Gavalume roof) was really small, and allows me the low-maintenance costs I want. All the allowances? Our contractor set me up with ALL his suppliers, who could help me affect beauty/function in my budget. The exception was lighting, where he told me "go- find it cheaper online. It will be fine". Fine? OMG- I saved 60% on my lighting- whole house- shopping on line from reputable sources, in comparison to what the local showrooms wanted for the exact same product. Major appliances though? Contractor was VERY negative on that. He told me story after story about clients ordering online appliances on the cheap, only to realize that they'd been delivered without any "guts" or a lot missing. Still? The place I shopped was a place where my contractor is a very big customer. So I still got a great discount, and local folks to help is anything goes wrong. Long story short- find a GC who understands your goals, get your line item bid and don't look back!...See Moreleslie1228
6 years agoacm
6 years agoleslie1228
6 years agomillie1234567
9 months ago
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