Comments on: Growing on the Slopes of Life http://www.tjhirst.com/2008/07/10/growing-on-the-slopes-of-life/ Illuminate Everyday Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:24:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Michelle at Scribbit http://www.tjhirst.com/2008/07/10/growing-on-the-slopes-of-life/#comment-510 Michelle at Scribbit Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:05:14 +0000 http://www.tjhirst.com/?p=443#comment-510 Oh my gosh what a trauma it's suddenly become! And I haven't posted this yet because we're still trying to work some stuff out but basically the municipality denied our permit for set-back issues and made us redesign to fit their specifications. THe new design doesn't look nearly as nice and cut so much space off the addition that we were frantic about the outcome. THen on top of that the cost has become astronomical. We were shooting for $80K but the first estimate came in at $145 then we've reworked and reworked and reworked until it's still $30K over budget. We're to the point where we're saying do we really want to pay $17K for these custom windows and fabulous design that will still give us less room than we wanted--the whole point of the addition? I tell you this because of your experience with the area but it's killed us. We've spent $11 on permits, designs and these fancy braces we ordered only to realize we could be in even worse trouble if we continue. I still love the design and we're thinking of seeking a variance from the muni to see if they'll give us an exception but that will take so much time it would push us back to next year's season. Right now we're thinking about taking the money we've already got for it and doing a major inside remodel--bathrooms, carpeting, shelving, lights, etc. and just waiting until next year to see if we can build it the way we really want it to be. I'm waiting to post on it because we're still going to meet once more with the architect to make sure we've got the right handle on the situation (luckily Andrew didn't start the roof demolition on Saturday as he'd planned to or we'd really be in trouble). But I'll still post the pictures of the design and go from there. It's been horribly disappointing. Oh my gosh what a trauma it’s suddenly become! And I haven’t posted this yet because we’re still trying to work some stuff out but basically the municipality denied our permit for set-back issues and made us redesign to fit their specifications. THe new design doesn’t look nearly as nice and cut so much space off the addition that we were frantic about the outcome. THen on top of that the cost has become astronomical. We were shooting for $80K but the first estimate came in at $145 then we’ve reworked and reworked and reworked until it’s still $30K over budget.

We’re to the point where we’re saying do we really want to pay $17K for these custom windows and fabulous design that will still give us less room than we wanted–the whole point of the addition?

I tell you this because of your experience with the area but it’s killed us. We’ve spent $11 on permits, designs and these fancy braces we ordered only to realize we could be in even worse trouble if we continue. I still love the design and we’re thinking of seeking a variance from the muni to see if they’ll give us an exception but that will take so much time it would push us back to next year’s season. Right now we’re thinking about taking the money we’ve already got for it and doing a major inside remodel–bathrooms, carpeting, shelving, lights, etc. and just waiting until next year to see if we can build it the way we really want it to be.

I’m waiting to post on it because we’re still going to meet once more with the architect to make sure we’ve got the right handle on the situation (luckily Andrew didn’t start the roof demolition on Saturday as he’d planned to or we’d really be in trouble). But I’ll still post the pictures of the design and go from there. It’s been horribly disappointing.

]]> By: Rebecca http://www.tjhirst.com/2008/07/10/growing-on-the-slopes-of-life/#comment-507 Rebecca Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:19:14 +0000 http://www.tjhirst.com/?p=443#comment-507 Good reminders all throughout this post! Let me see if I can remember everything that hit me: being careful to notice more than just the extremes in life- things don't always fall into the categories of "Great" and "Bad," avoiding the "I told you so" moments, working as a couple, and digging through problems in order to gain greater understanding. I hope I didn't interpret something incorrectly, but all of those points are really great reminders for me right now! So thank you! Good reminders all throughout this post! Let me see if I can remember everything that hit me: being careful to notice more than just the extremes in life- things don’t always fall into the categories of “Great” and “Bad,” avoiding the “I told you so” moments, working as a couple, and digging through problems in order to gain greater understanding.

I hope I didn’t interpret something incorrectly, but all of those points are really great reminders for me right now! So thank you!

]]>