Two Stories Forward, One Story Back

Contractor number one called and gave me an estimate on the two story house of fabulousness... it was so far past my budget I am still buzzing.

It hurt, it stung, but it will not deter me.

We talked on the phone for awhile and he and I tossed around a lot of different ideas. One of the biggest expenses came from concrete. It turns out, that where we live, concrete is at a premium. So with that being a key element to building, it drives up the cost of the whole house.

We talked options and landed on looking at a new floor plan.

My heart has been set on a two story house all along. It's just what I've always dreamed of. It's what I imagine my home looking and feeling like.

Since our budget is very tight, the contractor and I needed a compromise. He felt like he could come a lot closer on budget with a one story house, and so I went back to the drawing board.

I scoured the web and I found a plan that I like quite a bit. It's a cottage style house. It is only one story but i really like the layout and here is the best part, it has a lovely bonus room above the garage! So, although, technically it is only a one story, the bonus room would be my office/craft room!

This way I would have my second story that I crave, yet would drastically cut down on cost.

Aaaaaand if I work with a one story, I can play with pitched ceilings and opening things up a bit. Don't worry, I have plans people.

In fact the night I started looking for one story plans, I drove the hubs slightly crazy singing "you can't keep a good ~~man~~ woman down."

I'm feeling pretty positive about this change.

All along I have said I DO NOT want a large house. I mean, seriously, I ~~hate~~ despise cleaning. The more house you have, the more cleaning you have.

I like a quaint, cozy space that feels warm and inviting. As long as I have a bunch of storage space and closets I am totally down with small square footage. Plus there will be an unfinished ~~death hole~~ basement that could eventually be finished out if we ever needed the space.

Contractors keep telling me basements have come a long ways since the 1970's when my current basement was built. Supposedly landscaping, proper drainage, yada yada yada, will cut back on the risk of a flood of biblical proportions in the new house.

Hmmm I think I still have some resentment and anger over that last flooding.

Back to positive thinking. I hope to be hearing from my contractor with estimates on the new plan in the next week or two. Fingers are crossed that he has some better news for me this time!

One of the websites I like to look at to get ideas for floor plans is this one.

Here are some of my favorite plans.

Have a lovely day!