Starting an adventure · Feb 5, 04:12 AM
My family and I have been living in the same house for the last 10 years. When we moved here from our two-bedroom apartment we only had two children and could fit the entirety of our belongings in a corner of the basement. We thought we were living in mansion here with our cozy little four-bedroom house, complete with both a living room and a family room.
Now, 10 years later, we have 6 children and the entire house has seemed to shrink with each addition. So it is either time to move or time to add on. The value of our home has nearly doubled in the time we have lived here so selling was an attractive option, but we also have grown attached to the neighborhood. Our children all have wonderful friends, and we couldn’t ask for better neighbors. We know nearly everyone on our street by name (and visa versa) and it’s nice to be a part of something like that. The theme song to “Cheers” is now running through my head.
So rather than risk moving to an unknown neighborhood where our children would not be near their friends whom they have known since birth and where we may have to deal with a neighbor with a big belly and hairy back who likes to mow his lawn with no shirt on… we decided to make some additions to our house and continue building the equity we already have in our home.
This may sound conservative to some. You’d be right. I don’t mind being called conservative. I grew up living in a home not more than 2-3 years at a time. Having to make new friends each time. Kristi, grew up in the same neighborhood from birth to college age. There is some value in consistency and more importantly there is value in good friendships.
I’m not saying that I didn’t make friends each time I moved, nor am I saying that I wasn’t all the better for those experiences. I’m just saying, why spoil a sure thing if circumstances afford it.
So what is this new adventure then if we’ve decided to stay? Some call it, “adding on”. Other, “remodeling”. I call it an adventure.
Phase one of the adventure: coming up with a design that we can afford and that we can both agree on. I think we may have accomplished that with relative ease. Both Kristi and I are accommodating individuals. We don’t argue much. The outcome was simple, basic, and affordable—not to mention met our needs: more space. So here’s the before:
The winning design consisted of a two-car garage (we have no garage right now) with two bedrooms and a “bonus” room above the garage. Here’s the after:
Phase two of this adventure (and topic of an upcoming post): The Variance.
As a teaser for the next installment: The proposed addition does not conform to the current setbacks and easements defined in our city’s Municipal Building Code.
— Steve Harward
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