You know, this is the first time I’ve ever built a complex structure with storebought materials at full retail. Ever.
The materials for completing the exterior have now been ordered, and most will arrive on Wednesday if all goes well. The total bill was almost exactly twice what was anticipated. Almost exactly twice.
You ever have an anxiety attack in a building supply store? Because it doesn’t really fit the ambiance. Fortunately we’re not talking full meltdown here. Just a little rapid heartbeat, hyperventilation, craving for a small enclosed space to curl up in while you suck your thumb for a while…
(ahem) I’m a big boy, I don’t cry. Also, fortunately one of my benefactors laid approximately 250% of the expected donation on me, as I learned just this morning. So earlier this morning I was very rich by my standards and now at early afternoon I’m broke again, but the shell is paid for and the materials are on the way. I’ll worry about the interior another day.
While I was in the medium-size town about 35 miles away, I stopped in a Safeway because … well, because this town has a Safeway. I was standing outside waiting for my ride when a brown female dog walked past me, went to the door, apparently read the “no pets” sign, and stopped right there.
I assume she got tired of waiting in the truck and wanted her person. And for about ten minutes until I had to leave she stood right there, holding the automatic door open with her presence, politely declining greetings and pats on the head from many passers-by, clearly feeling out of place and trying to be a good dog but dammit wanting her person.
Don’t really know why that felt significant at the time.
Of course the dog was significant! I hope she found her people.
On my way to work this morning I saw an adorable young corgi dashing back and forth across the road, chasing the birds. I stopped and called to her, tried hard to catch her, but she dashed away toward the county fair grounds barn… where I HOPE her owners were. I watched for a while, and then went on when she didn’t come back to the road.
I was late for work, but when I told the boss why she just smiled and said, “good deal.”
Commodities are all at something like 5 year highs. OSB, dimensional lumber, plywood… all higher than they’ve been in a bit. Good timing, joel.
It’s just money, man. I’m building my house too, so i feel your pain.
“You ever have an anxiety attack in a building supply store?”
Yes sir, I’m well acquainted with that feeling. Every time we bought more lumber or supplies for building the house. Plus the absolute terror of knowing we were flat-broke until the next payday. Praying that nothing significant would happen until then.
What kind of scratch do you need to do the interior?
Email me. Schmoo (and some numbers at yahoo) is the email.
Don’t know but it probably won’t be a lot. Drywall and finish materials and some electrical stuff, some insulation, the sliding door hardware. The flooring is already handled (Yes! I’m doing that first this time!) so the interior really shouldn’t cost a ton.
My main concern at the moment is that I haven’t yet acquired a door and window I need, and I spent the money allotted for them, and I need to know their dimensions before I can do the framing. But if they turn out to be a problem at framing time I have back-up plans for both.
Also my plan for a propane all-night heater is starting to dim, I’m afraid. But that was always a luxury, and even if I can’t do it now I still plan to do a cementboard wall for retrofitting it later.
“You ever have an anxiety attack in a building supply store?”
Oh ya, you’re not alone there. I still remember the anxiety of supervising/helping with the building of our home, dealing with the finances and dealing with the suppliers.The main issues was the home we built was log so we could not get all the cash at once, the cash was doled out in a series of draws only made when certain milestones were completed. For example we had a bitch of a time getting a well in and the water tested but until that was done the cash from the bank stopped.
There were times because of the cash draw situation with contractors and suppliers breathing down my neck and the bank was playing hard ball, we were mere hours away from filing for bankruptcy. Anxiety, ya… been there and survived that. Good luck to you Joel, I’m looking forward to seeing pics of the progress.
If you have a commercial glass shop in the locale of the big city check out what they call “The Boneyard.” Most places that have been in business for any length of time have quite an accumulation of new doors and windows that, for whatever reason did not get used. If you are flexible in you design you can get some good deals. I scored a new, 5 foot, vinyl, low E, dual glazed, patio door for an outdoor shower project for $100 (retail $600). These are are cash deals no paper work.
B: “What kind of scratch do you need for the interior?”
Joel: “Don’t know but it will probably won’t be a lot.”
Retired building contractor: Bwaha ha ha ha!
Everything costs twice as much and takes three times as long as you expect.
Wish I was able to help with the barn raising.
Nothing like the camaraderie of working together and two men can produce as much as three on most building projects.
There is an economy of movement in having that second person.
If you are working off of the ground three is an optimum team size.
😀 Yes. That was an unusually stupid thing for me to have said. Especially since the content of the post was all about how traumatically expensive all the lumber I already bought was…
^ Sometimes we supply our own irony . . . **