Blogs » Touch of Grey » I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic (Konstruction) Blues Again Mama!

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I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic (Konstruction) Blues Again Mama!
By SugarMagnolia in Touch of Grey
October 29, 2007

Yep, my midlife crisis is about to come to fruition. My midlife crisis being a custom-built home which is starting to make me question my sanity. We are about a month or so away from completion, and let me tell you, it has been one hell of a ride! Not particularly something I would care to do over, but yet am glad I had enough courage to get this done anyway. After all, one cannot live in a 26-foot travel trailer for the rest of her life. I get to watch the adventure of construction daily, as my home is being built on my land, about 50feet behind my current dwelling. For those of you contemplating having your home custom built, here is what I have learned, for better and for worse:

1) Know in advance what you want and how much you are willing to pay for it. While this probably goes without saying, I said it anyway. The trick is getting your builder to see your vision and to ensure you are on the same page throughout the process.

2) Speaking of builders - this is the most important decision you will face. You must be able to implicitly trust your builder, and create a rapport with him/her. We had a few false starts before finding the perfect builder; i.e., builders who said they would call us back and never did; and at least two builders who were so snotty over the phone we did not even meet with them in person. Take heart; you will find your perfect builder.

3) Make sure your builder is properly credentialed. Go online to the Texas Residential Construction Commission at www.trcc.state.tx.us and check current status and expiration date of your builder's status. The Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) is also a site worth checking out when it comes to your builder and mortgage/lending company.

4) Be prepared to do your homework. Learn as much lingo about the building process as you can. There are many resources out there for this online as well as in your local library. I found the home section every Sunday in the Houston Chronicle to be a great help as well.

5) Make sure any bids from potential builders do not lowball you on allowances. This is very important! Although a bid may look reasonable, check your allowances for items such as flooring, fixtures, paint, etc. and make sure they are reasonable. Anytime you go over these allowances, you may wind up paying out of pocket. Make sure ALL your allowances are realistic.

6) Have courage! In the end, all the headaches and heartaches will be worth it. Even though my home is not quite yet finished, I already know the next 30 years of payments will be worth it. Speaking of payments, make sure that you can afford what you are having built. Not only are there mortgage payments to consider, remember there will be taxes, possibly private mortgage insurance, home owners' insurance, and maintenance costs for many years. Don't let your home become your ball and chain.

And speaking of ball and chain, the only way I am getting through this construction nightmare is, of course, with some tasty grooves. Which brings us to the Pearl of Port Arturo, Janis Joplin, and a video of her incredible performance of "Ball and Chain" at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. The most amazing song from the most amazing female vocalist, EVER. Watch and see what I mean, and see Mama Cass being appropriately blown away by Joplin's performance. DIG IT!

 

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