The Unseen Headaches of Studio Building

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Midlandmorgan

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We are in the process of converting existing structures on our property to dedicated studios...after weeks of research, testing, contractor estimates, and the like, seems the actual mechanicals of the rooms are the easy part.

1) Electrical: Big issue, as we had designed a separate power feed for the studios, to keep line noise such as refrigerators, HVACs, dryers, etc out of the studio's AC. Problem therein is that since electric company deregulation in Texas, a lot of the 'customer service' things done by power companies for free are now being charged for at somewhat an astronomical rate...best estimate thus far is $900 + power company fees to install JUST the distribution box and meter...internal wiring wil still have to be done by a different contractor.

2) Plumbing: Another expensive issue. To avoid having clients run in and out of the house to use the restroom, we are having a cold water tap run in, with a sewer hookup for the commodes...$1100 to run a sewer tap and cold water feed 7 feet...

3) Insurance: huge bug! Texas insurance rapists, uh, regulators, require that any business property have a monitored alarm system installed to meet replacement cost coverage. I have 2 pit bulls that can respond a lot quicker than a security company, but its another hidden cost.

The point of all this? That regardless of how well you plan, its a good rule of thumb to rake your financial estimate for your studio construction, then double it to cover all the costs, fees, taxes, permits, etc. There really seems to be some validity to leasing an existing place, and to absolute hell with the most of these issues.
Leasing also has the tax benefits, but there again, at the end of the lease, you have nothing to show for it, and you may be forced to relocate because the owner got a better offer or whatever.

Thanks for letting me rant...
 
Being from Texas as well, I feel your pain!

Who's the electric supplier in Midland? Is it TXU?
Well, TXU is a lot more service oriented than Austin Electric, so consider yourself lucky in that regard.

Permits, fees, and applications you say?

It took an act of the Texas House to bring developement regulations, or should I say restrictions, under control in Austin! (Thanks to a bunch of GD tree huggin', futon sleeping, Birkenstock wearing, Barton Springs Swimming, environmental extremists!)

Plumbing.
I'm thinking I just wont tell anyone I'm running a new sewer line!
(not)

Insurance
No way around that, you're right.

My situation is a little different. I plan on building my studio on my 1/2 acre residential lot. I'll call it a "Guest House", or a "Pool House" anything to not draw attention to the fact that it is a working studio. Otherwise, I'd have to re-zone, put in parking, and come under the scrunity of the Austin Development Regulations.
Hell, as it is I already have to calculate impervious cover, submit a site plan, Grading plan, Utility plan, and get this: a Sedimentation and Erosion Control plan!! Then, go thru the review process. All that for a simple "addition."

So, yeah. I hear ya bud!
 
I would rather pick my teeth with a rattlesnake than deal with the Austin-ites you so aptly described...but I regress...

Yeah, we got TXU...there are several other 'providers' around here now, but get this: they all 1) use the same outsourcing/liaison company (Encore I think), so its really not a matter of getting railed, but who you choose to do it, and 2) they all buy their electricity from TXU anyway. Here's the funny (sad) part: TXU needs 3 day notice before any power can be shut off at the trunk line...that includes emergencies, from what the contractor said...I guess one has to plan their electrica failures to get the best service....

Michael, how's your project coming? I found a book the other day called "Sound Studio Construction on A Budget" by F. Alto Everest...superlative reference materials! Very math and science oriented, but it does get down to saying what's best for each need. Recommended!
 
Damn I feel lucky here in rural Georgia. All I needed was a $50 permit. That's it, period. 15 years ago I had my house built and didn't need any permits at all. Damn progress :rolleyes:

Sewer? I'm considering burying a 55 gallon drum full of holes in a pit of gravel and hooking to it :D Yeehaawww - that 'oughta get the collards growing green :D :D

DD
 
LMAO!

DigitalDon said:
Sewer? I'm considering burying a 55 gallon drum full of holes in a pit of gravel and hooking to it :D Yeehaawww - that 'oughta get the collards growing green :D :D

DD
Click to expand...

Sounds just like Topanga!:D
 
Even if you DO grind it up, that's still gonna be some fine, stinky water... Steve
 
Knightfly,
You're too fast for me. It took me a second look to get that one :D :D
 
I dunno about the 55 gallon drum routine...that may be a bit much even for West Texas...but we do have a couple of good Mesquite trees that are good for 'personal watering'...just gotta check the wind direction first!
 
Well, I finished a preliminary cost estimate for mine. I'm up to about $32,000, and thats with ME doing a lot of the work myself. I will have to put in a grinder pump for the sewer, and I haven't priced those yet. So, I'm thinking around 35K when it's all said and done.

Right now I'm taking the conceptual drawings I made and turning those into detailed construction plans.

It's not generally a good idea to pour concrete in Central Texas in August; I hope for construction to begin in late Feb, or early March.
 
KNightfly, I don't think anyone has ever accused you of not knowing your, *ahem*, shit before, but now there is no doubt!

Thanks so much for the links. Those prices are considerably less than I got form another pump maker, but in all fairness, the other pump maker's were more "industrial" than residential. The grinder pumps from saniflush, looks like it's definately the way to go. Thanks Again!

(I wonder if it comes with shit tickets?)
 
" Unseen headaches..."

Framing in and insulating my duct-work was a real pain. Had 1 last 2x4 to put up in an 8 foot section. Had 1 side screwed up where it needed to be. Dropped my last screw, bent down to get it ....board came swinging down really fast smacking me in the temple.

Out cold for about 3 mins.

My wife freaked when she heard about it.
Won't let me work by myself anymore. :(
 
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im in mississippi and im just building mine....im not gonna get a building permit unless the local building inspecter "natzi" happens see im doing some work.

all im doing now is the detail work like painting and carpet now...so...im past the "gonna need a permit" point.

eventually i will put a bathroom in but for the meantime i will open the door and say...."see burger king on top of the hill....thats the bathroom bro....or the woods out behind the studio, your choice"
 
Ginzoo,

My wife's been tempted to pull the plug on me after a couple of tumbles off the step ladder (where'd you get that bruise?). Luckily I haven't lost conciousness so I've been able to keep it on the qt.

Alex
 
Wives are such wusses - as long as it's not a finger (gee, I USED to be able to play that part) who gives a rats ass? Everything else will either heal or they'll be pattin' you in the face with a shovel, either way it won't matter after a few weeks... Steve

Here's a thought - take out a (not too) large insurance policy in her name. Then, she'll ENCOURAGE you to use the power tools. (Don't make it TOO large, or she'll be tempted to HELP you hurt yourself... :=)
 
All I heard for a week was "what the hell were you thinking.This child needs a father."
 
Ginzoo said:
All I heard for a week was "what the hell were you thinking.This child needs a father."
Click to expand...
<chuckles> I guess base jumping's out then huh?:D
 
Michael Jones said:

<chuckles> I guess base jumping's out then huh?:D
Click to expand...

I am about to jump off the tub while neck- tied to the shower curtain-rod.


Sheese... I can't even go hiking or rock climbing without the third degree man.

Wanted to try hang gliding and almost got castrated for even thinking about it.

I guess I'll just sit here in my big comfy chair and watch what everyone else is doing.

God I have NO life. :rolleyes:
 
Being overly cautious is like exercise - it doesn't really make you live longer, it just seems that way... :=)
 
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