Last year we decided to put an addition on our house and refinish the basement. The project began before the 2021 year as we hired and found a contractor. In March, we secured the home equity loan and then the plans were solidified. Construction was planned to begin in May of 2021 once the contractor received the building permit from the town, and was suppose to conclude end of September/beginning of October.
Well, the house is still a construction zone right now and it is the beginning of March. It will probably be a construction zone until April. Living and working in this have been chaotic, but because of stock delays and shipping delays due to COVID, work crews getting COVID, and having COVID ourselves this is where we are. Also, because of COVID the original price quoted was increased by 10%, due to the costs of material increasing. Delays started in May when it took the town building inspector longer to issue a permit. From here the above COVID causes began to happen. Johnny (my husband) and I joked that in most companies, people call in when they will not be showing up for the job—but we received calls when people come to work because there were long stretches where this was not frequently happening (people showing up to work). It was most likely because crews were bidding on other jobs and trying to chase money, which is something outside of a small contract company’s hands, I think. Regardless, we are on the homestretch of our addition project now. The basement is completely finished, which is part gym, family room, and kids’ play area. Four of the five upstairs rooms have new hardwood, and the focal point family room is built and is just awaiting new flooring. We probably have just a few more weeks until all is completed, and a big sigh of relief can happen. Zoey (one year old) has perfected her “hi” to all the construction workers as they exit and enter the house at this time. Izzy (three years old) has expressed dislike of every change that has happened in the house, but has then warmed up to the changes over time. Johnny has had really no change in his routine because he gets to go to the office during the work week while they are here. It’s mostly me and the girls in the chaos of loud tools, people, destruction, and building. On days I work, I have been moved out of the office to various places in the house and have learned to work in the chaos. I typically enjoy working in a quiet and organized environment—something that I have not had for almost a year now. I am looking forward to the end of construction and being a family of four living in the house without a construction crew calling in to be with us for the day. I am also looking forward to having my old office back and not explaining every construction change/decision to my three-year-old. A few more weeks and we will have this, and then the home decorating decisions will need to be made—so in that sense the project will continue because I am not quick to make decisions (and am very particular). All areas of the house, however, will be able to be lived in and enjoyed so that’s what I am focusing on now.
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AuthorKristina Scott Archives
February 2023
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