Kip prepared an estimate for the house and, no surprise we had to re-look at the plans and find ways to cut back. Way back.
It was an interesting, heart-searching process, to really look at each element and rank it in how necessary it was to the overall vision of the house and to our comfort living out the rest of our years there. Without an element, would the house still fulfill the parti, the house’s “story”? Would Dan or I regret its omission? Or would we never even miss it? Is it something that could easily be added later? Is it an omission that would actually make a substantial difference in the price?
Admittedly, it was not much fun. But it was a necessary step in the process. Dan and I would not enjoy the house, no matter how dreamy it was, if we were to spend more on it than we could afford.
In the end, here is what went away:
- Stone exterior for the garage (we went with wood siding to match the “add-on” portions of the house and added a glorious reclaimed copula instead, so I have no regrets)
- Stone wall yard enclosure
- Backyard plant beds along the (omitted) stone walls
- Bead board ceilings upstairs
- Finish-Out for garage top floor Rec Room
- Set of three small rain reservoirs, replaced with one large one (and goodness is it LARGE. But it’s the way of the future, and is becoming so ubiquitous that hopefully it will become somewhat “invisible” once we get used to it)
These changes were so extensive that it required that we go back to Zac for a revised set of plans. It is mid April, 14 months after we began the design process.
So far I have been patient, truly enjoying every stage of the planning process. We did take the first pre-building step this month, having the site evaluated by a geotech company to ensure that the foundation design is appropriate. (see left) But I am so ready to get started with the actual building. The three years since we bought Gran Paseo have flown by. But every year that slips by is one less that we can enjoy living there full time.
And come October… we will both be in our sixties!
Let’s get this thing BUILT!