In as little as a week, the contractors could be starting work on our humble abode. One of the contractors accompanied the architect to our house on Friday to see what the job entailed. We find out on Monday or Tuesday what the potential cost of the renovation will be. The contractors are finishing one job now, and have another one next week, but they could be starting our job the following week. The estimated time to complete the structural repairs plus the bedroom, bathroom and laundry room is approximately four weeks, but that doesn’t include the kitchen which we would like to do at the same time. The object is to finish the old part of the house once and for all. Then, if we are forced to sell for any reason (the job situation is looking pretty grim) the only part of the house not up to code will be the addition, for which we will have plans in hand.
I was impressed with the way the contractor took notes while touring the house. I was also impressed with the way he refused to give a ballpark estimate on the spot before taking time to crunch the numbers. I also like the fact that there are a couple of surplus steel beams that could be used on our project, saving us several hundred dollars. Potential freebies are always welcome!
Even when the kitchen is added to the project, the renovations should be completed by the middle of May, in time for the annual in-law invasion.
After almost 6 years, we will finally be able to finish moving into the house. Sure, I still don’t have my workshop, but that will be coming very soon depending on what’s left in the bank after this renovation. If it looks like the garage is still a couple of years away, I intend to set up shop in the basement. There is a 12×24 space that can be converted for that purpose, and it should cost me less than $5000 (although I have not sat down and done any serious budgeting yet). At any rate, there is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel.