The last bit of home building news I left you with wasn’t great. So many of you reached out with kind words, empathy, some of you even had alternative plans to share! It feels amazing to have that kind of support throughout this process, so thank you. I wish I could say that it’s all worked out at this point, but we’ve had some good news with more difficult news.
After talking with the city some more, and realizing the house across the street had the same issues (it was built at least 15 years ago) they are allowing us to have an engineer draw up the plans without the testing – a difference of about $14,000. The city didn’t think it would be a problem for us to move the storm sewer ourselves (luckily my husband and father-in-law are contractors and my brother-in-law is a plumber), and once we get the engineer plans approved by them we can purchase the materials and get that moved.
But last week we had the lot marked for all other utilities. In that same easement is a power line and a telephone line. We got word today from KCPL that it’s a primary line. Primary = expensive. He couldn’t tell us exactly how much, but it could cost us a ton to move it – enough that we would have to walk away from this whole thing. We’re still waiting to hear back from the phone company, but because they don’t bury those as deep and they are less dangerous, it should be
With all of this said, we’re moving along with the rest as if the easement can be moved. If that’s the case, our house will fit! We’ll be able to have a side entry, 3 car garage and a walkout basement: the things that my husband’s dream home are made of.
I still can’t get over the stress of it all. Everyone tells you going in to be prepared for all kinds of crazy, but this was certainly more than I had envisioned, and we haven’t even broken ground yet.
Tomorrow I go to pick up my first big purchase for the house (remember, I said we’re moving along like it’s all going to work out). I know this is one big speed bump in the plans,
katie gavigan says
Sounds like you have a great attitude about the whole thing, and are patiently walking it out. What an amazing team you have in your extended family…that's a gift! Cheering you on. 🙂