1,800 (Not-Yet-Finished) Square Feet for $50,000

(Page 3 of 3)

November/December 1985
By Pat Stone 
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We've spent just about $50,000 on the house so far (that's after subtracting the $2,000 tax rebate) and have 1,818 square feet of enclosed space. I think another $3,000 of materials-and a good bit of my free timeshould be enough to finish the interior and enclose the mudroom. The grand total would then be 1,908 square feet for $53,000. That works out to a respectable $27.78 per square foot ($16.68 per square foot for materials).

Furthermore, I was fortunate to be able to keep costs down by obtaining my mortgage from my parents. So no lending institution required me to pay for a conventional backup heating system or to completely finish the house. Then too, I give much cost-saving credit to my conscientious contractor.

And, sure, the fact that I worked with the crew for three months also helped lower the home's price tag. But while that strategy knocked a bit off my expenses, it also cut my year's income by a quarter while I was on unpaid leave from MOTHER, so—in strict financial terms—I'm sure I lost money by "hiring" that slow and inexperienced carpenter's assistant . . . me. I can, however, rationalize that cost as my tuition for the carpentry school that taught me the skills I'll need to finish the job.

But if you want to know the truth, I don't care if my "tool belt summer" did cost me money. I wouldn't have missed helping erect our house for the world . . . just as I wouldn't want to miss helping to rear our children.

There are certain experiences in life that you just don't want to let pass you by.

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