Will the marriage survive the houses build

... I'm sure it will - but some evening I seriously doubt it.

Hubby and I are about to embark on our first total build after a dozen renos. I thought the renos were hard "head butting" but they ain't got nuffin' on a build.

Not being an "out of the box" spec home, on a 10 acre block, isn't making it easy, as we have to make a decision on every single item but it is a pretty funky looking design and will look amazing ... if only I can get hubby to drag his "style" forward a few decades from the 1980's ... and stop trying to a cheapskate on the permanent features.

Happy to compromise and live with chipboard floors and nothing in the laundry but a tap and waste pipe for however long it takes - but refuse to skimp the size of the water tank or exterior finish.

The frustrating part is that, throughout the reno arguments and me ignoring him and just "doing" what was required, he was always "wow - that turned out really good" at how well my ideas turned out - and we always got top dollar ...

... rant over

 

What was the Architect's thinking behind the split shape (plan view rather than elevation) of the house?

Is it to maximise views?

 

Not sure if you are aware, but women run the show. Just ask my wife. Famous slogan that Nike stole from my great great grandfather.....just do it.

 

Dear Lizzie. You are the boss on this project. And feel free to show him my post.

 

renos are much harder than developing/building IMO... that is why I gave it away, enjoy the ride

 

To maximise views - to work with the land contour - to get northern sun into the living areas ... and because I damn well like it and definitely didn't want it to look like the dime a dozen ranch style spec homes

 

I have to agree with that. I am building 50/50 with my investment partner and it is causing headaches. I wouldn't like to try it with a spouse!

Looks terrific and I dam well like it too!

 

I daren't even show him this thread - but tonight he's even arguing with me regarding the engineers report, disputing the build requirements!!! ..... arrrrrrrrrgh.

I keep having to say "get rid of the aggressive attitude". It's getting my back right up - and he's an expert at shutting down discussions with a "don't think so".

****!

But so frustrating when I can see it's an amazing opportunity to build something fantastic

 

Haha nice take on it.

 

Haha. We just built and moved in last year with our architect designed home. It is a great ride and I am sure you will be fine. One thing that helped us was to be decidive and not second guess ourselves. Oh and my wife was always right haha.

 

He can take care things other than the final say of what's going into the house
And the last thing I'd want to skimp is engineering requirements
Can you do the "yes dear" turn around and do it anyway?

 

Mrs No Mates is banned from site. She makes the selection and sees it complete. Saves arguments.

 

There has been a lot of that already ... builder has already (semi-jokingly) said that he will deal with me, and that I can deal with hubby.

I wish he'd just do the "yes dear" - seems to have trust issues with tradies (no idea why but has always been like this) - is a process engineer in his day job (so likes to micro-manage) - and built his own house 30 years ago, and doesn't seem to grasp that techniques and materials have moved on ...

... wish me luck

 

Hi lizie.
Good luck with build. I've just nearly built my own ppor with architect design house and gave them a brief of solar passive house with views over lake hume half way up a hill north facing on 45 acres. Brief was simple and $350k.
1st quote from builders which were the same company as architects...... $650k.
Went to 5 other builders all still over $600k.
Built it myself as owner builder.
(S/eCarpenter) $200k.
Just wanted to get builders to do for ease of finance....just a word of warning.
What are your external walls gonna be?
Shower in garage? For future pool or?
Are you elevated?
Have you looked at wind power instead of solar. ? Lot cheaper and whisper quiet now. Check out magazines at the library for sustainable houses and renew mag i think.
Goid luck.
Think our biggest sticky point was colour schemes. Did off white everthing in the end.....

 

Hi Yorkie ... yes, first wakeup call was the quotes. We were prepared to spend up to $500,000 ... came back at $800k and $700.

Started to get it broken down and "pick off" bits - I am not spending $30,000 on painting a single story house or $65/m2 to lay (not materials) decking - we ended up just having the house pared right back and are having it built to "rough in" stage (gyprock, plaster, sanded, plumbing/wiring done, aircon in etc).

By saving on the build, and with the extra we'll have from selling the current ppor, we'll have no mortgage and be able to pay off the mortgages on a couple of the rentals. Means we have several thou extra each month in our pocket ... so we'll just pick off the rooms, starting with bathroom and kitchen.

But, I do have a folder full of ideas and know how I want it done ... prob is hubby can't visualise unless it's "in the flesh" ... so need trust

External walls are insulated Scyon Stria (wide) and colorbond, laid horizontally, with some vertical timber features.

Bathroom in the garage as looks like we'll be living there for a few months ... and means it can be a "boys room" down the track - or using whilst working on the farm etc. Not much extra cost as we have all the fittings from previous reno's.

We will not be putting in another pool now that kids are grown (youngest 13 and didn't use the one we have last summer) - but there is the perfect space for someone to put on in in the future, if they wish. We back onto our tourist accommodation, that has a flash pool, so if we're desperate we can use that one. Will be putting a portable spa on the deck.

By putting in the steps down, the house is less than 1m off the ground at the lower side, so no railing required

Building on piers and slightly elevated with view down the paddock to a dam and bush- not as good a views as where we are now, but that's the price of "cashing in".

Colour scheme is the least of our worries ...

 

She's no mate of mine

 

My parents were talked out of putting a bigger water tank in when they built, have regretted it since. Not sure on your location but my parents needed to get extra water trucked in every few years depending on the rains. Not an easy task the tank was at the rear of the property and not accessible to trucks so had to be piped ~100m.