Sticker Shock Sunday

[Madroaster]

I'm coming pretty close to having worked out my total cost-to-build estimate (20x30 1-1/2).  It doesn't seem to matter how much I tell myself I can afford to do this, no matter how much I know I have saved and designated to spend...Watching the totals climb is disconcerting.  30, 40, 50k...every time I break through a new ceiling it stings a little more.

But then I sit back and gather a little perspective and things seem to get better.  I don't suppose the 5 espressos so far today have done much to lower my anxiety though.

Back to work...
--Derek

[peter nap]

WElcome to the real world of building. As John has pointed out many times, it isn't the house that's expensive, it's what goes in it.

Just try to find a bargin on everything. Or salvaged something.

There's always a way to cut the cost.

[desdawg]

I salvage a lot of used material and I have lots of projects which run on for quite a while. So it never seems like I just have to sit down and write one big check. When it is all said and done it will be worth considerably more than you will spend. In this throw away world there is a lot of material that is wasted and I try to capitalize on that factor.

[glenn kangiser]

5 Espresso's -- make them yourself or Starbucks --- ?

There is a place to start your house fund -- but buy Starbucks myself sometimes.

So -- here is a house you can live in for the rest of your life for 40 - 50K -- Nowadays people spend that much for a new car or pickup and probably won't keep it for over 10 years.  :-?

As the dollar declines it is worth less and less so this will only seem like less and less money if you get it nailed down for that now.

[Redoverfarm]

I think that is the reason that DIY has increased over the years.  The coast of labor is gettting terrible.  I think that also delays the construction time period as people only do what they can afford at the time. There is nothing wrong with that concept if they hadn't borrowed money and they are paying intrest.  When building normally should only take 12-18 months now is 24 months+ or longer.  

[Madroaster]

Thanks all for the encouragement.  I was thinking about this last night...really, it's laughable that I can have a house for 50k, and that helps me see the bigger picture.  Then again, I can look at other long-term investments that seemed painful at the time, like university.  There's the money for that to borrow, but that let me earn enough to repay those and save more than enough to build the house, all in just a few short years, which, in turn, will save me from a mortgage and its interest.  And I still get to keep the education.  It's all about perspective.

I think some of the greatest value in a budget at this stage is seeing where costs can be trimmed, and that's where I'll begin focusing my attention over the next few months.

Glenn...The espressos come from home.  As my avatar suggests (at least to a small number of people), I buy my coffee green and roast it myself.  Cheaper (significantly so), and quite an improvement.  Those espressos cost about the same as a pot of Maxwell House.  

[glenn kangiser]

I thought about that after I posted, and now remember you posting about it before.  No big savings there.

We buy the roasted beans in bulk and grind at least.

...and Homegrown's husband and his family are from Korea.

[Madroaster]

I thought about that after I posted, and now remember you posting about it before.  No big savings there.

Well, savings now...not at first.  Espresso's an expensive habit to get into...I've got well over a grand in gear, but it was easy to justify since even Starbucks coffee is $30 a pound here.  Green coffee, at $5 a pound paid off pretty quickly.

We buy the roasted beans in bulk and grind at least.

That alone is a dramatic jump in quality...I try to convince everyone I know to do that...at least those I can't first convince to roast their own.  

...and Homegrown's husband and his family are from Korea.

I noticed that.  Neat.