Keeping On, Keeping On
Right. As the title suggests, I am keeping on. Monday will see a new written quote from Azevedo, the builder. Although of course, as previously mentioned, this quote will mean that several finishing elements of the build will likely be excluded, and will be dealt with as outsourced, separate jobs.
The benefit of working this way is individual control of each aspect. The disadvantage is the hassle and not getting a 'turn-key' house ready to occupy fully.
Having said that, Azevedo may come up with a price that allows an inclusive price on most important items. We will see.
Only one picture this week, as progress has slowed awaiting clarification on the budget. However, the builders have still been busy, as we can now see the formers in place for the beams across the property. My project manager points out the size of the supporting centre pillars. Yes. Full steam ahead should be resumed shortly. Fingers crossed.
Progress has slowed this week, and is understandable, since there is still no signed contract - Azevedo has laid out many thousands of Euros both in materials and in wages. We need to get an agreement made, and his outlay resolved. I am a fair guy, and do not want to see him out of pocket for any longer than is reasonable. We need to get scheduled / staged payments in order.
So, information from the project manager has clarified many things regarding the build: Basically I have a house that is significantly beyond the scope and sadly budget that was specified to the architect. The up-side of this is the sheer size and potential of the house, with it's huge garage, workshop and storage. It is awesome!
So looking positively, every cloud has a silver lining. Being pragmatic, it is just more of a balancing act now to ensure that funds are available to complete and actually be able to retire early and move.
Otherwise, the property will have to earn its keep while I work on towards a bigger pension pot, whilst avoiding the grim reaper and keeping my sanity together! LOL
Hey, that's the way things go.
Of course, all this uncertainty has lead to even more research regarding building, and the likely trip hazards! I found the interesting article below:
Has your designer taken their eye off the budget?
Your design team are rightly concerned with coming up with a design which meets your dreams and expectations, fits within the plot and planning permission regime, and is buildable. Often (in fact more often than not, in my experience) they take their eye off the budget.
When you commission a home, you tend to focus on the maximum budget, but then all parties might forget this as the excitement and challenges of the design process commence. I would stress that development of the budget is as important as the design. It should be an evolving process which is checked every day as the design evolves. Every decision or change to the design affects budget in some way, and the design team should advise you on this.
When you appoint your designer or architect, make sure that budget considerations are part of the scope of service. They should advise you from the outset whether your plans are realistically achievable within your available funds and keep a watching brief on this prior to receipt of tenders.
If they aren’t good at working to a budget the first indication of challenges is when the tenders are opened and the prices are too high. At this point, despite the potential of value engineering, it is often impossible to revisit and fundamentally change the design without wasting time and effort already expended (and paid for), and so you are in reality fiddling while Rome burns.
Keep an eye on budget every single time you think about your project. Tracking the costs as the design evolves is the best way to ensure you fully understand the scope and design of the building — much more effective than looking at drawings alone and wondering about furniture placement…
Many words of wisdom here, put succinctly, much better than I could manage. The areas I have highlighted are particularly poignant - and puts into a nutshell where we are.
So, we keep on, keeping on.
Next Up: - Positive Vibes: Where there is a will...
