Home (Kit) on the Range

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Accomplishing this job in rural Montana was significantly different from doing a similar job in an urban area. Skilled labor is limited here. In the city, if someone doesn't show up, you open the phone directory and find another carpenter Here, you have to be more patient.

Whether or not you're in a city, you need to get all estimates for work in writing. People here don't like to do this they want to do everything by verbal agreement. But we noticed that the ones with verbal agreements ended up wanting to charge us more, and the ones with written estimates stuck with the the original price. So, get it in writing.

By mid-September our drywall was nearly completed. Next came painting, floor coverings, cabinets, light fixtures, interior doors , drapes and, finally, move-in. I did most of the interior finish work myself. We had to rent a two-bedroom house for an extra six weeks, an unplanned expense So our plans to have horses, irrigation and an outbuilding have been set aside, at least temporarily due to the need to control costs

We've had our share of temporary inconvenience. For instance, we completed the garage to June 2000 to store the kit through the winter, then ended up using the garage as our TV and computer room for several months during construction. But this and other inconveniences were a small price to pay. All things considered, we're glad we moved from an area with 3.5 million people to a small town in Montana. It's a great place for those of us who appreciate seasonal changes - and wildlife in greater numbers than people.

You can write Paul and Sherri in care of MOTHER EARTH NEWS, 1503 SW 42nd St.; Topeka, KS 66609-1265. Or you can email them at homeatlast@montanasky.net . Letters will be considered for publication.

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