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Desert Weyr: Our Farm
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Paonia, CO 81428
(970) 527-3573
FAX (815) 572-5360
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Email at sales@desertweyr.com
January House Project Notes
Getting Started
Well we are now starting a new adventure. After a year of thinking about it we have decided to finish and remodel the farmhouse in Colorado. As we document the entire process we hope you can learn and benefit from our experiences. Our first task was to define the limits of the project. The house in Colorado was never finished. Started in the 1970's it was completed to the rough framing stage and then all work stopped. Our initial task was to determine whether the structure was worth remodeling or whether the proper response was to bulldoze it and start over.To begin with we contacted builders, friends, architects and others who might have construction knowledge. We took many digital pictures, researched construction techniques on the internet and in general became familiar with the concepts of remodeling. We got as many magazines and books as we could find covering construction, design and style. From this mass of information we defined the limits of the project and our requirements.
The house must be completed. Flooring, siding and cabinetry will be installed. The plumbing and electrical system will be redone. The windows will be replaced with modern energy efficient ones. The current wood burner heating system will be replaced. A garage and workroom will be added. Decks and outside landscaping will be designed. The front entry will be finished with a covered entryway. In addition to the major house remodeling the fences, barns and irrigation system will need work.
Once the scope of the project was defined we started developing our preliminary budget. We looked carefully at our current living expenses and defined a preliminary budget for the entire project. We have initially allocated half of the money for the house and half for the barns, fences and irrigation system upgrades. Our working budget is currently at $75,000 for the house and $75,000 for the outside.
Then we began the search for an architect to assist us with the design and plans. Ken was very concerned that an architect would not design what we wanted but instead go off and design something that they wanted but that would not suit us. Oogie felt that we needed professional guidance as many of the problems with the existing house were the result of poor planning. We asked for references from people who had recently built houses or additions. We also contacted several architects from the area whose phone numbers we found in the phone book.
Our list of questions for the initial screening included the type of projects they had worked on. What the budgets for those projects were. Whether they were licensed. What their availability was and some general questions designed to get a feel for the way they handle projects. Our initial screening narrowed the choice down to two possible people. To further define whom we would work with we asked both candidates to travel to the site and take a look at the house. We wanted to get a feel for whether they were interested in working on the project. We also wanted another opinion on the feasibility of the remodel vs. teardown and replace.
Both candidates provided us with a proposal for services. As a final selection we contacted as many of the references listed as we could. Each reference was asked whether they would use the architect again. We also asked about what they particularly liked and what they did not like about working with the architect. We did not expect to have 100% positive responses. Our major concern was that we could find a person that we could work with well.
We are extremely pleased with our selection of Paul Van Dusen as our architect. Mr. Van Dusen came highly recommended and his references all said they would use him again. We then started the initial process of defining our requirements and providing him with the information he needed to develop a workable design.
Letters and Faxes are being used to define the schematic requirements and details of the design. Once that is done we will be continuing on with construction plans.
At the time of this writing we have a good design for the garage addition. The heating system has been discussed and we have a nice exterior design as well. We are continuing with the definition of the electrical requirements and the kitchen cabinetry.
A parallel process is to locate and work with a general contractor. We have had several contractors talk to us about the project. Since we cannot be on-site every day it will be critical that the contractor work closely with us to build the house to plan. Our search for a contractor continues and we will report more on this later.
