Here we go!
3/22/05
I figured I should probably try to keep some type of a journal of what’s going on with this house and since at this point we have owned it for about three months, now would be a fine time to start.
We bought the place in the middle of December ‘04 with every intention of remodeling it and adding a second story to the current structure. The house is built on a tiny lot and is pushed over to one side so far that it doesn’t conform to the setbacks. Hence, the plan to add on instead of tear it down. But as time has passed and plans have developed, I’m beginning to believe that it would be easier to just build from scratch then to try and salvage any of the existing structure. There are just too many hoops to jump through to keep the one wall and all for about 15o square feet of living space.
So the decision was made to tear down the existing structure and build conforming to the setbacks on both sides. However, we are on a tiny budget and it will require some tricky work to get it all figured out.
As the plans developed, the home changed shape a number of times. Now that we are getting close, we’ve decided to follow our hearts and replace the tiny bungalow with a more modern looking structure. It will be the first of its kind in a neighborhood of cute little craftsman homes. I’m excited about the prospect; I’ve wanted a more modern home now for years. But I’m also a little nervous because all of the neighbors have been so nice so far. It will be interesting to see how things develop when they see what we come up with.So here’s the plan: Build a modern home, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a little under 2000 square feet, and do it for around 100k (not including the cost of the lot). Also, build with Green Building standards in mind. I know it sounds crazy. But I also know its possible. So this one goes out to all of the Do-It-Yourselfers out there. I’m open to feedback, so tell your friends and follow along for the show…
I figured I should probably try to keep some type of a journal of what’s going on with this house and since at this point we have owned it for about three months, now would be a fine time to start.
We bought the place in the middle of December ‘04 with every intention of remodeling it and adding a second story to the current structure. The house is built on a tiny lot and is pushed over to one side so far that it doesn’t conform to the setbacks. Hence, the plan to add on instead of tear it down. But as time has passed and plans have developed, I’m beginning to believe that it would be easier to just build from scratch then to try and salvage any of the existing structure. There are just too many hoops to jump through to keep the one wall and all for about 15o square feet of living space.
So the decision was made to tear down the existing structure and build conforming to the setbacks on both sides. However, we are on a tiny budget and it will require some tricky work to get it all figured out.
As the plans developed, the home changed shape a number of times. Now that we are getting close, we’ve decided to follow our hearts and replace the tiny bungalow with a more modern looking structure. It will be the first of its kind in a neighborhood of cute little craftsman homes. I’m excited about the prospect; I’ve wanted a more modern home now for years. But I’m also a little nervous because all of the neighbors have been so nice so far. It will be interesting to see how things develop when they see what we come up with.So here’s the plan: Build a modern home, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a little under 2000 square feet, and do it for around 100k (not including the cost of the lot). Also, build with Green Building standards in mind. I know it sounds crazy. But I also know its possible. So this one goes out to all of the Do-It-Yourselfers out there. I’m open to feedback, so tell your friends and follow along for the show…
posted by ken at 12:16 PM
5 Comments:
the ride should be fun, right??
Best of luck and warmest wishes from New England!
See you around Memorial Day. :o)
What's a Green Standard build? I am architecturally illiterate.
HI!!!
"you go kids, and have fun doing it.... looking forward to seeing the finished product....."
Ken,
Could you post a design of the home? I would love to see the layout and the renderings.
Jeff
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