Builder Meeting Number One

February 22nd (the day of the infamous ER trip) was important for another reason that kinda got lost in the craziness.

We met with a builder.

We met to discuss remodeling our house. Well, really, we met to discuss leveling half of our house and, basically, building another small house alongside it and attaching them. (I know, I know.... jokes about just pulling a trailer house in there and taking off the wheels are perfectly acceptable....)

In January we talked about our goals and decided 2010 would be the year of the house. We'd do our research and either add on or let go of the dream. The basic driving force being.... our kids are little and we can enjoy it now....

So Hot talked to some friends who were having a house built and I called their builder. We set up a meeting for Monday, the 22nd of February.

So, here is what we learned:

1. Until two years or so ago he didn't build houses under $500,000. For the last 18 months he hasn't build one over $250,000.
2. He has an engineering background and graduated from MSU.
3. A few years ago a modest house was $150/sq ft. Now it is $75. He thinks he can do ours for around $100.

Here is what we decided:

1. We both like him and his process. We should do more research into other builders but, without plunking down a lot of money for design and bid stuff we can't really get more than a gut reaction to them anyway so, we're going for it.
2. The septic system needs to be re-done. We already knew this but it will be an additional cost. Also, we don't know what demolition will cost.
3. So this is meeting number 1. The next meeting will be for him to do rough measurements of our house and then start designing the addition.