The build is back on track...which I'm happy about, because the thought of buying a new house and moving, while appealing when just window shopping, would certainly be a much bigger undertaking than this studio build and house remodel.
I found a 3rd contractor, and for the first time I really felt like I was talking with the right person. He will have an initial proposal in a week, and then from there we'll get an architect involved, and so on...but the thing that hit the mark was when I he said he thought this would be a really fun project and was looking forward to doing it. He's got a lot of local credibility, and plenty of previous projects that showcase his work...and my project was well within his scope of expertise. He's done a lot of additions, along with other types of remodel work.
Things will get pushed back some, considering I've lost close to 2 months chasing contractors...but he felt that sometime in August we would break ground, and everything would be done NLT Thanksgiving. It will take a month or two by the time we go over a couple of proposal stages, then the architect, and the submit all that to the town and wait for their approval and permits...so he thinks no later than the end of August...but still doable before the cold weather kicks in, which will be OK. I have other things I could be doing before that, and also some other inside remodeling work that I might farm out to another contractor...which this guy said was fine with him....and also with the studio, he was OK with me using someone else any part of it...or he could do it all. down to the interior paint.
The important thing was that he said this was no big deal...nothing out of the ordinary, and probably the new bathroom would be more of a technical challenge, tying it into the septic and all that...than the actual studio build, which was pretty straightforward.
Oh...and the guy is also a drummer!
So he understood when I said I needed it soundproof with double drywall or possibly using some special drywall he mentioned which was much denser and meant for soundproofing...but from the reading I've done it looks like two thinner layers would be better....but those or minor points that we will get into once this project is locked in.
So today I feel some relief...and I once again have a specific goal, which allow me to plan and start on some other things.
I've been walking around in circles the last few weeks trying to figure out which way things would go, but not able to see any clear direction.
The one thing that was decided was a slight change of the new build layout. My last plan was looking at a 34' x 26' space, but it would have necessitated a complete new roof because the peak would have to move 3' to one side in order to center it and have the symmetry down the long side of the space.
It was doable, but more involved demolition and construction...and more cost...plus other issues.
So the room is being reoriented 90 degrees, and now the long side will face my back yard, which I prefer, and the existing roof will stay, so the final shape will be a kind of saltbox structure, with an 8' wall at one long end, and a 10-11' wall at the other, which is the side facing the back yard, which allows for some tall, narrow windows. I will either face the windows or fire the speakers back toward them...which I think is how it will be, firing them back into that taller wall end.
That change from the 34' x 26' plan will shorten my dimensions to a 29' x 26' space with this new plan...and after the storage and iso-booths are added on the one side, which will come out 6' ...my finished open studio space will be 25' by 22'...which is still pretty darn nice and will accommodate my gear and still plenty of comfortable open space too....plus the 14' cathedral ceiling...so still quite a substantial volume to the total space, which should(?) make the acoustic treatment inside a much easier and more minimal requirement. I haven't even begun to think about the final finished surface...but it will be a mix of wood, stone, drywall, and of course, broadband traps. Probably the most broadband traps will end up on the ceiling, since that will remain drywall. I already have a bunch, plus the 6 mega-bass traps I made a couple of years ago, which will all end up at the two back corners and wall.
So knock on wood...I think things are now in motion, pretty sure this time...but I'll be 100% sure when I get the proposals, and throw down some deposit money.