I had another post ready to go for today, but this is what has been on my mind, so I thought I would share.
We’ve been chugging along with the house plans and the stress was really getting to me. When you get a construction loan, you have to show the bank every little detail before they will approve you. They want to know how much everything will cost (down to light switches and door hinges) so they can hand you over money knowing that a house can actually be built for what you’re borrowing. Even though we will be doing work ourselves, and some friends and family will be generously helping for much less than the going rates, we can’t put those things in the bid. We must include labor and supplies at face value. And then we must put down 20% of that, even though we plan to come in under that.
This was all getting pretty stressful (I don’t want to decide on countertops yet!) and on Tuesday I picked up our final plans from the architect – giving us the ability to get all the bids going with the intent to have everything turned into the bank by next week. I felt so great about our final plans and was excited to get this part of the process finished so we could move on to breaking ground. The house felt perfect – like our dream home. There was not one thing I would change. But all of that was about to change.
Micah contacted the surveyor to come stake out the house on the lot and quickly received a call back. “Um, that house isn’t going to fit on that lot.” What? “That easement doesn’t allow for the house to fit.” What easement?
My parents have owned this lot for over 20 years. The plot they gave us that we, in turn, gave the architect doesn’t show an easement anywhere. But the surveyor shows a big one running on the south side of the lot, knocking 30′ of buildable land off.
We reached out to the city and they use it for a storm sewer. If we want to pay an engineer something like $15,000 to draw up plans and do testing for moving it, they might (yes, might) approve that, and then it would be our responsibility to cover the costs of moving it. Clearly that’s not an option.
Our other option is to try and figure out a way to change the floor plan. Our lot, while big in square footage, is an unusual shape. The two story colonial we had decided on was really the best for the pie shape, and I’m not sure what else would fit on there. We can probably moving things around (do away with a side entry garage and go from a 3 car to a 2, loose the walkout basement and windows) to make it work, but it’s going to be tricky and push our timeline back quite a bit.
This is all pretty disappointing, but I also have the assurance that it will all work out. There doesn’t seem to be a clear answer yet, and while part of me wants to fix it right here and now, I’ve learned that when an answer doesn’t seem obvious, it’s best to just wait. Sit back and wait for the right thing to make itself known. Am I good at waiting? Not really. But it’s often in the waiting that we find the perspective. It reminds me just how fortunate we are to even be in this situation. We’re a young family attempting to build a dream home in a neighborhood that anyone would be happy to live and raise their kids in. It doesn’t really get much better than that.
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Robin Warzywak says
Hi Gwen, I know just how disappointing it can be to find that you are working with easements and large setbacks. We also have a pie shaped lot and as a result of it being on a corner, our town requires a 20' setback on the front AND street sides. We wound up building a very long and narrow house. I wish I could send you a pic of how our house sits on our lot as it might help you out. Is it too late in your process to pick a new, colonial design? I am sure that comes with a cost too though. You are right though, in the end it will all work out! Til then drink adult beverages 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
I've had a lot of wine as of late. 🙂
Linda Darling says
Hi Gwen. Odd shaped lots are such a challenge. My husband and I bought a house on what ended up being a triangle shaped lot and now, 9 years later, it can still be a challenge with plantings, fences, etc. Just take your time. Get the best light you can (our light is all in the bedrooms!), and think creatively. Shape is a challenge but I am betting if you are patient, you will find a solution you can live with and be happy!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Linda! Yes, light is my biggest concern. I don't want to loose any of it! 🙂
LindO Designs says
Can we see how the first floor lays out?
themakerista@gmail.com says
I will show this soon!
Autumn Beach says
Okay, girl…you've got this. Well, the Lord has this. And I know that you know this. Waiting is so wise. Stand strong.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Autumn! Just breathe, right? 🙂
laura Madalene says
Thanks for sharing wonderful information, it is really nice information.
Interior Design
Georgia Milton says
It's such a challenge to deal with that shape but be sure soon or later everything will be fine.
End of Tenancy cleaning Kensington
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Georgia! I appreciate the encouragement. 🙂
Jessie Miller says
Hang in there sister! Yu will have a ton of set backs but it will be worth it in the end!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks! It's good to hear this from someone who deals with construction stuff more often than myself!
Rachel Rardon says
Kudos to you for being able to maintain perspective in the midst of such disappointment and stress. Can't wait for you to get to the point where you can look back at this and realize how well you bounced back!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Rachel! It's hard, but yes, this too shall pass!
This Design Journal says
It is great that you are staying positive on such circumstances. But it is also great that the guy found it sooner than later right! As far as solution goes, Is it possible to move the whole structure a little bit forward. That will mean sacrificing space on the front yard part, along with it if you could squeeze out a bit of square footage from inside and go for 2 car garage instead of 3 – If you can somehow retain the floor plan you love – it is a success right! I am not an engineer by any means so don't know if it is structurally possible…
But don't worry, you will figure it out soon. Waiting to see the solution devised to counter this.
Best Regards,
Anima
themakerista@gmail.com says
I wish we could move the house up, Anima, but the city setback for the front is 25' and we're right on that line already! I'm waiting for that solution too. 🙂
Becky Caudill says
In the south they built houses that were narrow and deep to avoid the window tax. I think something like that might also work on your lot given the dimensions shown above. Is there any way to re-jigger the floor plan to keep the rooms and space you want, but to conform to the shape of the lot and the city's easement?
themakerista@gmail.com says
We're doing our best to find all of the options. I do like that style too, and interesting history, Becky…thanks for sharing!