I received two e-mails today that have got me thinking. One was from Husband, offering to buy me a tool belt when the renovation is finished, because "we're almost in the home stretch." The other was from a blog-reader and fellow wordsmith who asked "if you had it to do all over again, would you buy a house that needed all of this work?
To Husband I say: Go for it. I could use a tool belt (although I haven't actually done any of the work myself!) As to whether I'd do this again: there's a short answer and a long answer. The short answer is: YES! It's so rewarding to have so much input in your home! It's empowering! So: yes, no regrets. Yes!
The long answer is maybe not (lower case, with no exclamation point), and includes footnotes, disclaimers and caveats. Here are some of the pros and cons:
Con/Pro: I wouldn't do it with school-age kids. We've lived in three houses since we moved to town in July '06, and that's disruptive. But I asked my daughters if they would do it again. The younger two said "Yes, because we get to have a house that's just how we want it...and with a stage!" The oldest (13) said: "I'm not sure. I'm still thinking about it." I do think the kids have a deeper appreciation for their home. They've learned about delayed gratification. And hopefully they'll forget all the time in the car.
Pro: Restoring this house gave me a project to focus on when I was sad about moving to a new state.
Pro: I learned a few things about negotiating.
Pro: I learned how to blog (but I think a more apt name for the blog would be: "The Mid-Life Crisis House.")
Con: Getting plunked with the hidden costs of renovating. We didn't plan on things like floor insulation and storm drains and back-up sump pumps; like trees that must come down and bricks that must be stained
and beadboard soffits. Painted cabinets cost 5% more than stained. Decorative tiles cost 20% more than simple white ones. Linen closets need doors; window seats need benches; laundry rooms need counters. I have loved the process of figuring out the details (such as the laundry chute!). But it's the custom stuff that costs you, and it's hard to skimp on this because that's the real reason for renovating--to make the house your home. ...
Pro: It helps to have an architect who doesn't disappear when the ink is dry on the blueprints and a GC who's reliable and upfront about the subcontractors' fees. We have such a team, and I'd do it again with them, especially now that I understand terms like raised hearths, fasciaboard and bathtub flanges.
Which brings me to the subject of the tool belt. I'm going to need one (filled with clearly labeled tools) when I no longer have all these subs at the house!

























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