Random musings and activities of a 30 something mom, potential sprint triathlete, vegetarian, dog and cat owner, and a evolving urban homesteader just trying to do the right thing in life for my daughter and the world around us. If the blog seems random, it's because life is and hits us all at 100mph.
Monday, April 05, 2010

PostHeaderIcon House Projects 101 - You'll always underestimate time and cost. Always.

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It's true.  Every time.

Whatever you estimate for time and money on a house project, you'll underestimate.  I always say figure in 20% more money and 30% more time.

Today though, it turns out 50% more money and lord only knows how much more time.

I have 2 fence projects.  The first is extending to the front of the house what is now our back yard fence.

The second is fencing in the second lot behind us, so we can use it.  The dog and Bebe would probably appreciate that.  After all, we've been there 3 years and rarely use that extra green space. It's also one of the few sunny areas on my 2 lots that it makes the most sense to put our raised garden beds.

It's a shame.

On fence project #2, the lots on each side of it are not fenced.  After a couple phone calls with the city, I have determined that a survey needs to be done.  Keep in mind, my neighborhood is relatively old.  We don't have nice equally spaced lots on nicely laid out streets.  The neighborhood was built around existing tree areas, creeks, and estates/farms that were still in existence when being developed.

So, I found a guy that would install the fence and help me purchase the right amount of materals for fence project 2.  Unfortunately, because of the survey and needing the property to be staked, I'm looking at an additional $750.  It turns what should have been a quick and reasonably priced project into something drawn out and quite a bit more expensive.

So, in addition to the rule of never starting a home project with the words, "How hard can it be?" *cough*raised garden beds*cough*, always know you will underestimate the project in time and money.

Before and after pictures soon to follow.......



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2 comments:

Jen said...

update: found a more local guy who is used to the craziness of our city. $450 to stake it out, and then if I would need a drawing to back it up, an extra $150. *sigh* Looking a little better...

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“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, an hour, a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it last forever.” ~~~Lance Armstrong

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." ~~~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

"I like running because it's a challenge. If you run hard, there's the pain----and you've got to work your way through the pain. You know, lately it seems all you hear is 'Don't overdo it' and 'Don't push yourself.' Well, I think that's a lot of bull. If you push the human body, it will respond." ~~~Bob Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers general manager, NHL Hall of Famer. (Will-Weber's "Voices From the Midpack" chapter.)

The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don’t define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them.~~~Denis Watley

Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not; it is the first lesson that ought to be learned; and however early a man's training begins, it is probably the last lesson that he learns thoroughly. ~~~Thomas H. Huxley (1825 - 1895)

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