bluesfordan
Member
****jealous****
me, too.
I'm just trying to get something going while I still have the house before we have to sell it and split it with my siblings, it's highly doubtful I'll ever get my own place with a studio in it.
****jealous****
Oh, btw even 24x24 is too small...
What about a engineered permit ready garage kit pimped to your needs.
Just a thought.
G
Silvertone Mastering NY
View attachment 104477
Not so great update...
I was waiting for my contractor to call me back with his general estimate, and today I talked to him...but it wasn't the estimate that was a problem...instead he tells me that because he's a solo builder and recently moved to the area, when he talked to the township Building Dept....they told him he needed to get a different grade of license to do this job, because of the large size, and that with out a crew and workman's comp, etc...they wanted full engineering done....yada, yada.
So...he's not going to be able to do this job, and I'm going to have to just find a more established local contractor that knows all the people at the Building Dept., and that's dealt with them. I already have a couple on call, so unless they are swamped with jobs, I think I should still be able to get this back on track and done by the end of the summer...but sometimes the local Building Dept. people can get carried away with themselves, and force silly demands on you.
I'll see what happens...though worst case, I might have to pony-up for a certified engineering report/design, etc.
To me...it was just a simple room, nothing really unusual other than it's 34' long, so yeah, the roof structure would have to be beefier, but it's not some complicated engineering task.
Sorry to hear that. Maybe this guy can partner up with an established contractor just for this job for a percentage in exchange for the connections with the Bldg Dept. He would have to pay out of his own share, but it will establish credentials he would need for future jobs.
I had to pay $500 for engineering drawings just to put up a 2-car steel/aluminum 3-walled carport in my town. It's how they make their money - making things difficult for people..
That's a bummer Miroslav but maybe there is an upside? Perhaps you don't suffer the rip offs, shoddy work and abandoned builds that are rife in this country with its largely unregulated trades?
Oh. Not downhearted and cynical then?
Dave.
Not much of an update...but just to keep this thread somewhat alive.
So I've been chasing a new contractor, he said he would stop by before the end of the week to see what I want done. This guy at least has a serious crew, and while his main focus is the framing, he has all the other necessary sub-contractors on tap. He was recommended by a guy who's done work for me (roof, deck, etc) that didn't want to get into this type of project.
We'll see if this pans out...but based on our phone conversation, the guys sounded positive and was confident that we could have this all wrapped up by end of summer, early fall...which is my target.
One thing is clear, I will have to go the architect/engineering route, mostly because of the septic tie-in...and if we do the planned 34' long open cathedral ceiling, which needs to be certified for load bearing and all that exciting stuff.
That said...I've been considering my option C (not sure if I mentioned this before)...and that means looking for a new house altogether. I've been casually checking out the market in the three counties around me, and while I've found a few nice properties, most of them are focused on the whole multi-bedroom/multi-bathroom layout, plus the basic den/2-car garage stuff....which is great for a family of 5, but a lot of bedrooms and bathrooms that make up the total square footage is of little use to me. I need a house that has 2, maybe 3 bedrooms...with 2.5 or 3 bathrooms...but also a couple of large open spaces other than the living room/dinning room thing.
I found many that were "OK"...but TBH, doing the addition and remodel at my current house would be a better end-result, for less $$$ (more left over to outfit the studio even better)...and no crazy moving (that's the part I'm least interested in, but would do it for a "perfect" new place).
Anyway...last night a house came on the market only about 10 minutes from where I live, in the nearby small town that I go to quite often. It's just on the outskirts of the town, so you could walk/bike into the village, which has a nice center with shops and places to eat, and has that rural charm, but with all the necessary amenities...big supermarket (I go there often), hardware and other types of supply stores...and a Micky-D's.
The house is on a dead-end street...which is kinda like my current place, which is a cul-de-sac...so only people that come down the street are the ones who live there. Has the same amount of land as my place, but the best thing is the layout, with a really great lower floor that has an almost perfect studio layout, with one big space and a second large room...and on top of that, there's a huge 3-car garage that provides alternative studio potential.
So I'm kinda torn now between the addition/remodel or maybe make the house move. I think I may at least go check it out in person with a real estate agent.
The price is right and I probably spent at least 3 hours last night looking over the listing pictures and details...which is way more than I've done with any of the others that I've kinda bookmarked. There was an immediately appealing feng shui vibe...like I really could see myself living there...a very sweet layout overall.
OK...I think I've almost talked myself into calling the real estate agent for an appointment.
I would definitely take a look. If you have a good house inspector and you really like the place , that would certainly be my next step(pro inspection, I mean)