So we’re *this close* to be being done with the addition and we’ve learned a few things along the way.
- I love air conditioning! I used to think I could get along without it. I am always cold and usually have a jacket on. Well, a few nights with your house above 80 and it has you standing in the freezer and taking cold showers begging for some cool air. I completely believe that theory that people get more violent in hot weather.
- Usability matters. When designing a space, it’s great if it looks pretty, but if it’s not usable, then it’s worthless. Say, for example, you put your shower head on the opposite end of the shower door so you have to climb into the shower to start the water. *cough*
- Details matter. Scott, bless his heart, just threw up all the light switches one night at random places. Some were at 51”, some at 53”, some close to the door, and some further away. As I was going through the rooms before they sheetrocked in, I noticed this and it was amazing to me how my hand expected it to be in one certain place without even thinking about it. Even now, our closet is a few inches out from the door and I’m having to get used to it.
- Knowing where your furniture goes beforehand matters. Yep, we would have moved the fireplace a few inches this way and the french doors a few that way. We did spend time laying out the furniture but even a few inches off and it really makes a difference.
- And even more, you need to know what color scheme you are going with. It’s hard to pick carpet and paint colors when you don’t know what the rest will look like. I picked a picture from my old bedroom I wanted to keep as a starting point. Sure, you could go with a neutral, but even though you need to know what undertones to go with.
- Having a detailed budget is key. Maybe a no-brainer but wow, it’s so easy to go above your budget. Little things like foam and door handles add up fast!
- Related to above, make sure to budget for closets! It’s not something your builder will need to buy but it is a huge cost and will really bust your budget fast.
- Let Craigslist be your friend. Everyone knows about my $75 fireplace by now. But on the flip side, use it to sell all those little extras. Like maybe an entire box of tile that didn’t get used and can’t be returned *cough*
- Some things are worth fighting about. I hate to be sexist but in my experience, guys just don’t think about how some things are going to turn out. As long as it gets done, it’s good for them. And sometimes, it’s worth fighting about. Number 3 caused some raised voices around here but it was worth it. And Scott admitted he should have paid more attention and we made up.
- But some things just aren’t worth fighting over. When you get home and see a tile is a little out of place but it would require the entire floor to be ripped up, just zip it. No one can do a thing about it. It’s not the end of the world and there’s no point in making someone feel bad about it when there is nothing that can be done short of starting again.
I guess in closing I’ll say the best thing we’ve learned is it’s all worth it. When you’re lying in bed and looking at the light you spent hours trying to find and watching the fire from a fireplace you found on a deal and you walk through a carpet you were scared to pick out but is so soft you could sleep on it and you walk on tile you spent hours deliberating over, well, it makes it a rich experience that makes you ever so grateful.
But…ask me again what I’ve learned when our first new mortgage payment comes due!
This post is linked up to Top Ten Tuesday