OS wrote:Just don't do something you're going to regret later, because you can't exactly change it. I'm guessing that you're building this house with the intent of being there for the rest of your life. If that's the case, build the way you want, even if it costs an extra $10K.
Yeah, we don't plan on downgrading on the things we really want. That defeats the purpose of us building a home so we can have exactly what we want.
We're still waiting on estimates from other contractors too...so we may not have to change anything if someone comes in a bit lower.
I dunno. We'll see.
Steve Levy Sucks wrote:Where our 15 acres is located, the only option is propane. To get a conventional HVAC system in was going to be around $11,000, instead we decided to go with geothermal. It cost another $14,000 up front, but it provides all of our heat, all of our AC and 90% of our hot water and only jacks the cost of electrical up by around $40 a month. The system will pay for itself in 4 years and i'll never have to pay the outrageous prices of propane.
We've been on again and off again with geothermal.
We really, really, really want it. And we may end up getting it if we can get a quote for around 14k or so.
Probably not happening unless you're building a 1200 square foot house. You should do the math... they've got the little online calculators that let you plug in the cost per kilowatt hour to see how long it'll take you to recoup the additional cost upfront of installing the system. That's what sucks about building... nickel and diming yourself costs usually 3-5k a pop and the next thing you know you're 25k over what you thought you'd spend. :D
I still say you need to look at those Nutone intercom systems. They're super nice. (and it'll only cost you about 1200! What a bargain!)
Steve Levy Sucks wrote:Where our 15 acres is located, the only option is propane. To get a conventional HVAC system in was going to be around $11,000, instead we decided to go with geothermal. It cost another $14,000 up front, but it provides all of our heat, all of our AC and 90% of our hot water and only jacks the cost of electrical up by around $40 a month. The system will pay for itself in 4 years and i'll never have to pay the outrageous prices of propane.
We've been on again and off again with geothermal.
We really, really, really want it. And we may end up getting it if we can get a quote for around 14k or so.
Ain't gonna happen. Still, I'd get some estimates, what do you have to lose? Geothermal is based on square footage, insulation, basement and they even know to need the brand name, sizes and R-value of your windows to determine the correct size of unit that you need. When I got my estimates they gave me three, good, better and best. The best toppped out at $24,000 with a 15 year warranty on parts and a lifetime warranty on the loop system. Installation includes all mechanical, even venting bathfans and your hood system. Most companies offer a free DVD so you can see how the system works. Also, when they give you a quote, they will give you a break down of cost savings based on actual cost of electric, propane and natural gas from the city or township you're building in.
Steve Levy Sucks wrote:Where our 15 acres is located, the only option is propane. To get a conventional HVAC system in was going to be around $11,000, instead we decided to go with geothermal. It cost another $14,000 up front, but it provides all of our heat, all of our AC and 90% of our hot water and only jacks the cost of electrical up by around $40 a month. The system will pay for itself in 4 years and i'll never have to pay the outrageous prices of propane.
We've been on again and off again with geothermal.
We really, really, really want it. And we may end up getting it if we can get a quote for around 14k or so.
Ain't gonna happen. Still, I'd get some estimates, what do you have to lose? Geothermal is based on square footage, insulation, basement and they even know to need the brand name, sizes and R-value of your windows to determine the correct size of unit that you need. When I got my estimates they gave me three, good, better and best. The best toppped out at $24,000 with a 15 year warranty on parts and a lifetime warranty on the loop system. Installation includes all mechanical, even venting bathfans and your hood system. Most companies offer a free DVD so you can see how the system works. Also, when they give you a quote, they will give you a break down of cost savings based on actual cost of electric, propane and natural gas from the city or township you're building in.
Well, we already have one estimate at 19k for a geothermal system on the 2200 sq. ft. house we are building.
And I don't think our contractor shopped around...he just went to one guy and got the estimate. So...maybe someone else will come in a few grand less...or maybe not.
We're intrigued now...since six months ago we were told it would cost around 25k.
I really doubt we get it...but we're going to try to work it in.
We'll see what happens.
Steve Levy Sucks wrote:Where our 15 acres is located, the only option is propane. To get a conventional HVAC system in was going to be around $11,000, instead we decided to go with geothermal. It cost another $14,000 up front, but it provides all of our heat, all of our AC and 90% of our hot water and only jacks the cost of electrical up by around $40 a month. The system will pay for itself in 4 years and i'll never have to pay the outrageous prices of propane.
We've been on again and off again with geothermal.
We really, really, really want it. And we may end up getting it if we can get a quote for around 14k or so.
I still say you need to look at those Nutone intercom systems. They're super nice. (and it'll only cost you about 1200! What a bargain!)
Did I miss the first time you mentioned this?
Hmmm...I just looked it up. Sounds pretty cool. I'll have to look into it.
cprice12 wrote:Did I miss the first time you mentioned this?
Hmmm...I just looked it up. Sounds pretty cool. I'll have to look into it.
I can't remember if I did or not. They're pretty damn easy to install... I did mine myself and it wasn't bad at all. I installed the CD-less master unit (but ran a set of RCAs to my computer desk to hook my PC up to it) the doorbell dinger, and 10 satellite speaker stations. I think you can even buy an iPod insert that's recessed into the wall that connects to the system as well.
Prngr44 wrote:My damn kitchen cabinets aren't going to be ready this week.
Cockgobblers!
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Prngr44 wrote:My damn kitchen cabinets aren't going to be ready this week.
My kitchen cabinets are still at Lowe's, or Home Depot, or wherever...and they will be for another 6 months or so.
Contractor #1 is going on three weeks now to get back with us on a revised estimate.
Contractor #2 is late by a week with his initial estimate.
Contracor #3 never called us back.
Contractor #4 never called us back.
I know why the housing market sucks right now...it's because the contractors don't seem to give a shit.
SIU LAW wrote:Motorhead are finally coming to St. Louis after years of waiting...but its the same night (8/20) as the NIN concert...which I already bought scalper proof/non-resale tickets for.
(FRANK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
It looks like the 8/20 was rescheduled and now Motorhead will be there on 9/9 with the Misfits instead.
Still no show in Denver.
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cprice12 wrote:
I know why the housing market sucks right now...it's because the contractors don't seem to give a shit.
The weather has done a number on construction projects, many are weeks if not more behind schedule due to the wet ground.
I figured as much.
And I am actually somewhat happy that we haven't broke ground yet because of all of the rain. It would have been a big muddy mess.
It will be a big muddy mess regardless. My yard still hasn't really recovered from the addition we did four years back, but part of that is me being lazy and not wanting to put the money, dirt, sweat, water, and grass seed into it at the moment.
cprice12 wrote:
I know why the housing market sucks right now...it's because the contractors don't seem to give a shit.
The weather has done a number on construction projects, many are weeks if not more behind schedule due to the wet ground.
I figured as much.
And I am actually somewhat happy that we haven't broke ground yet because of all of the rain. It would have been a big muddy mess.
It will be a big muddy mess regardless. My yard still hasn't really recovered from the addition we did four years back, but part of that is me being lazy and not wanting to put the money, dirt, sweat, water, and grass seed into it at the moment.
Well, I'm good with the yard stuff. In the past, I've completely started from scratch with my yard as I tilled my entire backyard and front yard, fertilized it and planted grass seed and all that stuff. Our yard was in sorry ass shape when we bought our house 7 years ago. We had a nice looking yard a couple months later....still do.
So...hopefully we'd have grass a couple months after moving in.
I hate summer colds. Hopped up on Robitussin right now. I used to take DayQuil but that stuff seriously screws with my system now. I get all jittery and can't concentrate and then I crash hard and feel terrible. NyQuil at night is still the best though.
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[Dooger] 9:10 am: That David [Backes] is a cool dude. RIP Pavol Demitra - I hope you are "so hoppy" wherever you are now
OMG, do they not teach basic writing, punctuation, spelling, and grammar (I love it when self-proclaimed "grammar nazis" spell it "grammer") in school anymore? I've been reading other forums and they make me want to claw my eyes out in horror. "lol" is not a punctuation mark, people!
