My new least favorite word is "shim." I spent five hours last night, until past midnight, "shimming" the wall studs so that we could hang sheetrock. The sheetrock is not yet hung. Why does everything take so long? Why is it so dusty and disgusting? Why do I have no aptitude at all for this? Why can't I be more patient, and unflappable?
I'm tired and I feel defeated by my bathroom. Today I have to run a regatta, so I'll be on the water all day. Might be able to work a few hours tonight. I'm determined to get this sheetrock up. My house is a construction zone.
My advice: do not buy a house alone. Don't do it. If it's brand new construction, and you have lots and lots of money, perhaps it makes sense. Otherwise, there's nothing wrong with renting.
Are you doing the reconstruction to get ready to move to a new place in Portland or to get ready to stay in your house?
Posted by: | September 10, 2006 at 09:52 AM
I think it's amazing that you're doing all this on your own. You'll gain more perspective when it's done. It's not called sweat equity for nothing. Renting (unless you're a student) is a disastrous financial move. You have nothing to show at the end of the day for it other than your landlord's bulging pockets.
Posted by: | September 10, 2006 at 02:33 PM
Hang in there,SF. It will get better, and then it will get really nice.
Posted by: bill | September 10, 2006 at 07:21 PM
I think it's awesome that you're doing all of this. It's very brave of you and think of how proud you'll be when you're done!
Posted by: gretchen | September 10, 2006 at 08:38 PM
It's difficult at first, but with a bit of experience, it gets easier. Were you able to sail a boat the first time out and tack it and such all by yourself... Did it get easier with time and experience... Don't get too discouraged.
Posted by: AdriftAtSea | September 11, 2006 at 12:12 AM
Fully agree-- don't buy a house alone. If at all possible, buy a house with a construction professional.
Landlords don't get rich quick, either. My roommate's rent may seem like it's going into my "bulging pockets", but in fact it just barely pays the property taxes.
Posted by: turboglacier | September 11, 2006 at 09:47 AM
Yes -- property taxes which confirm your ownership.
Posted by: | September 11, 2006 at 02:27 PM
I think I'll invest in purchasing a tent instead...:P
Posted by: Kat | September 12, 2006 at 02:23 AM