Our Two Options Regarding The House Addition
For years now, our house addition has been nothing more than a thought and a dream. Matt and I have talked about it as a long-term plan that we’ll do one day, but the talk never seemed to move beyond that.
Until recently. Over the last month or so, we’ve really, seriously been talking about it and trying to plan for it. And the reason we’re finally getting serious about it is because, after nine years of working on this house, I’m finally down to the last two room in our home as it currently stands.
Here’s how that looks right now. The pink rooms are finished. (The bathroom before and after post is coming! I promise!) The white rooms still need to be finished. The dark gray rooms will be torn down.
So as far as interior rooms go, I’m down to the home gym and my studio, which will include a small makeover in the studio half bath.
Once the sunroom and original (tiny) master bathroom are torn down, here’s what we’re wanting to add in the orange…
As we’ve talked about it, we’ve come up with two different options. And to be quite honest, I’m not sure which direction I’m leaning right now. I can see pros and cons for both of them.
Option 1: Build ASAP.
Our initial thought was to build the addition ASAP, as in, start getting everything lined up so that we can start building in the spring or as soon as the weather permits.
That way, when I’m done with the studio, the addition would be done to the point that I’d take over and start on the finishes, just like I did with the bathroom. With the bathroom, our contractor and his guys did all of the electrical, plumbing, wall building/moving, subfloor, and drywall. Then I took it from there and finished out the room. So I’m thinking that’s how we’d do the addition as well.
The obvious “pro” with this option is that the house would be done sooner, and then we could sit back and enjoy it…all of it…including a deck in the back yard off of the master bedroom and family room. I can’t wait for that, because right now, we don’t use our back yard at all since there’s really nothing back there to make it enjoyable.
And the sooner we get it done and have all of that extra room (including the deck out back), the easier it will make hosting friends and family. Right now, things feel a little squished when we have a crowd over. It sure would be nice to be able to spread out a bit more.
But the obvious “con” with this option is burnout. I’ve been going at this pretty much by myself for nine years now. I’m definitely starting to slow down (12-hour work days are no longer my norm like they once were), and I don’t feel burned out at this point. In fact, I feel very excited about getting these last two rooms finished. I just don’t want to reach the point of burnout, because recovering from that can be very difficult.
Option 2: Wait until spring 2024.
The thinking behind this option is that at some point (hopefully) within the first half of next year, I will have all of the rooms in our house (as it currently stands) finished. Finished! All of the rooms will be finished for the first time in nine years. It will be the first time in our 20 years of marriage that we could live in a home with all of the interior rooms completely finished.
And part of me thinks it would be so nice to just be able to enjoy that for a little while before starting a big addition. I’d still have plenty to do. The carport has never been completely finished and painted. The stone skirting on the front porch needs to be finished. Plus, the whole front porch could stand a bit of a refresh with some new paint on the ceiling, a fresh coat of stain/sealer on the porch, etc. And with my studio finally finished, I could cook up an infinite number of projects in there to keep my creative juices flowing.
So the plan in general would be to finish the interior rooms that we currently have during the first half of the year, then take a breather for the second half of the year and just enjoy having a totally finished home (on the inside) while taking care of some unfinished projects outside and enjoying my finished studio. And then at the beginning of 2024, we’ll start on the addition.
The “pro” with this option is that we’d have a totally finished interior for a while. No huge inside projects inside, no tools and paint cans spread about, and a break from sawdust inside the house. That would be quite a change!
The “con” is that it would take longer to get to our long-term goal. That means continuing to be squished when we have people over. That means putting off being able to enjoy our back yard, grill outdoors, etc. And it means that we’d be longer in our small bedroom, which is starting to feel smaller with each passing day. (Normal sized rooms start to feel quite small when dealing with mobility for a wheelchair-bound person.)
So those are the two options we’re considering. Both of them sound good to me, but only one can win out. If I were forced to make a decision right this minute, I would say I want the addition built ASAP. But if Matt were to forced to choose today, he’d choose the second option to give me a little bit of a break and some breathing room before jumping into an addition with both feet.
But at the end of the day, he’s okay with either option (his only concern is me getting burned out), so it really will come down to what I choose. *Sigh*
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
If you opt to wait, you might spend some time on your backyard plantings and walking trail – starting farther out so that it’s not affected by the addition construction. And perhaps the front landscaping, as well. Improvements of a different sort for a change of pace.
Do the ASAP addition. You can put off actually finishing it if other things take priority or work on it at your leisure. But it will be added so you work on it at your pace. Plus add the deck right away and USE that awesome back yard this upcoming summer.
My thoughts exactly!
My thought is ASAP. For the following reasons.
1. Construction can take a long time and have numerous breaks. Starting now will take off pressure from you. You will have other projects to keep you busy.
2. Having the addition completed earlier rather than later gives Matt more areas to enjoy your home. He can be on the back deck keeping you company while you work on the car port and the landscape.
3. You can always take your time in completing the addition. But, it will be ready when you are ready.
4. You will be able to plan the decor of the addition in your head more easily when you see the layout in person. You can think things through as you work on mundane tasks.
5. Out door work will be more rewarding when you can come in and relax in your completed house.
6. I think you really want to start ASAP! Lol
Sheila F.
I agree. Contractors take forever and there are products which are hard to come by right now so I’m pretty certain there will be delays. We have built twice and major remodeled twice and nothing ever went as quickly or reasonably priced as we would have liked it.
This is what I was thinking. Plus the additions are mostly just drywall, flooring, painting and then decorating. With the studio finally finished and organized, you can go at the pace you want and be able to put things away and feel like you have tons of usable space. I imagine you will hire out the drywall anyway. Flooring and painting are not huge projects for you, from what I’ve seen. It’s not like all that tile and builds in the bathroom. You could take it slow but you’d be able to get to the fun part–the decorating–much sooner than in any of your other rooms thus far (which included demo and insulation and things like tiling).
My thoughts also….have contractor build addition. You don’t need to ‘work’ on it until you’re ready to; but at least it’s ready for you.
I agree! With the price of building products you don’t want to take the chance if things becoming more expensive.
Take a break. Burn out is no fun, and you don’t want to get there. That year will be gone before you can turn around. Then you’ll be ready to tackle that addition with a clear and rested view.
I would build the addition ASAP then the deck. You’d be able to start enjoying your back yard and hosting with friends next summer. That would be exciting! We have been building our home for the last year and I cannot wait to be finished!
If you can do it sooner rather than later I think I would go for doing the addition now – and just pacing yourself on the two rooms you have left.
There will be time to finish them at a leisurely pace between now and while the foundation and bones of the addition are built if you don’t break ground until the spring.
It will be so much more enjoyable hosting family and friends when you don’t have to constantly rearrange your spaces every time and I’m sure both you and Matt will enjoy a larger bedroom space.
I agree with Carswell. Get the addition going now. The project is likely to take MUCH longer to complete than expected, given the current conditions of the construction industry. You’ll probably have plenty of time to take breaks and finish current projects.
As a faithful reader since the condo days (holy cow!) I would love to see you keep up the momentum and do the addition. As a novice DIY I get the burnout of always more projects. Personally I would wait and let the rest of the house settle a bit. No matter what we love all the projects big and small =)
Doing it now sounds great. BUT if it’s so frenetic how will you have time to enjoy it anyway? All the “little” things will also get pushed aside and you’ll be exhausted just thinking about that big long list. I think you’ll love having the studio done so that you have a working space. Plus, you could always use it for entertaining also. I vote for studio first, then the addition.
I intended to say this on your other posts about rethinking your studio – I think using your studio for entertaining and hosting completely defeats the purpose of a working studio. That’s a creative and functional space and it would be a royal pain to finally have it done and then be clearing and cleaning up projects to make space for visiting people. You should be able to use that space and then close the door when you take a break.
It would be no different than having to rearrange your living room like you are doing now to accommodate larger groups.
This is one of those things which only you and Matt can make. We as your “guest” would love to see all of this done. But we do not live in your body. You have been wise on most all of your other decisions and sure you will this time. Whatever you decide we will be “entertained” and our knowledge will grow from it. So best to you and your decision.
Amen. It’s your lives that will be disrupted. The two of you know your limits. You’ll figure it out – Rest and relax and have a great holiday. Appreciate you and your thoughtfulness.
I would have to do it now, knowing it was coming I wouldn’t be able to relax. I would be constantly thinking about it.
When would you add the deck on? Would Matt be able to get through the unfinished addition (or some other not too long way) to use the deck? Would it drive you crazy to have the addition done but not completed?
My initial thought is to combine the two…start the build process now so you both can enjoy parts of it (like the deck) but plan on working on just the Master Bedroom now and then the Family Room in 2024 or whatever order you like. Plus with the way things go with construction it could take until 2024 to get things to where you can take over.
But that would depend on if it would bother you to have this unfinished space sitting there, everyone needs a break without a project looming over their shoulder. And it would be nice to have your current space finished so you can enjoy all your hard work for a bit before diving into the next big thing!
I think I’m talking myself into the waiting option now…oh well, more pros and cons for you, sorry about that.
I’ve been around since Condo days too. Has it been 10 years 🤦🏻♀️ There are many good reasons listed from other comments to do it now. I’m in agreement. GO!!!
Could you possibly go 50/50 or 60/40? I mean, since some one else will be doing the initial grunt work while you finish up, then you could pace yourself and if you decide to dive in and do SOME and then rest, you have that option as opposed to just stopping, even if it’s for a period of time. I really think you are going to be frustrated and wish you had moved ahead, especially that part of the job, framing, etc. that you are having someone else do. Have that part done, then you can stop and start as you want. I hope this make sense. I’m suggesting that just because I’ve followed you for Years and you don’t strike me as the type who will JUST STOP. Just an idea.
Either sounds great. I’d love to see the addition sooner and think you can do it.
One year is an OK wait.
I’d recommend waiting if doing outside projects sound exciting. You can take time to work on finishing off other projects and getting a feel for life not in a project.
If it was me, I would finish all of the interior rooms. Two are almost done. anyway. The studio will take some time to build all of the cabinets and shelves you want. Then the little bathroom makeover and the storage room you had planned on putting shelves, etc in. The carport, and then the stone and front porch. By then it would be 2024 and your new rooms could be built and you would be ready to go finishing that, knowing you had all the other rooms finished and the inside of your house will be clean. In the meantime, you could use your studio for your gatherings by getting some folding chairs. It is bigger, basically empty and it would be more comfortable and convenient. Of course, not in that order, I had said, but whatever you want to tackle at the time. My fear is that if you start the construction now, your other rooms will go unfinished and you have wanted to get to your studio and carport for a long time now.
I think the very first thing I would do is check with your contractor and see what his schedule looks like. I lived in Texas and I keep in touch with my contractor there and he has been solidly going for two years. This is a fairly big project ( a two room unfinished addition) and if he is 6-9 months out you might as well get on his time line for spring 2024 and then you can finish up your other rooms and take a breather. As someone mentioned….when having a group over you can always use the studio because your projects will be done prior to the addition getting started in Spring 2024. I know no one has a crystal ball but I think we will see building materials come down in price a bit by then although I can’t predict the cost of labor.
Definitely agree with Deb. See when your contractor could even get you in. You might not need to weigh every pro and con if it’s a moot point!
I agree with Deb and JenW, the most important thing is when can your contractor schedule you in? Even then it’ll take then some time to do the build so it may be 2024 by then. Time flies when you’re having fun!
I agree with Chris, Deb and Jen W. Take a break, finished the things you need to finish, it’s the little things that take time but get your project “on the books” and look to 2024 to really get started. I love watching you, but take time and enjoy what you have already accomplished…. you have done soooo much!
Yes, I came to say this. We bought a house last November near San Antonio and thought we could remodel it within 6 months or so. We’re a year in, and have months still to go. There have been so many delays getting materials and then scheduling all the trades – our contractor is great, but everyone is short on labor and anyone good is booked solid. If you start now, I bet it will take longer than you might expect.
Not only give you a break with option of waiting, but maybe Matt would like to just hang out with you and do more outings with you? Checking contractor schedules might be a good idea for future so you can do it when the time is right
Another thing to consider is that awful mold situation in your sunroom. Being very mold-sensitive, I want you to get that taken care of sooner rather than later. . . and the less it’s disturbed, the better. So, instead of doing something temporary (you had said you wanted to take care of it ASAP) that will just result in more spores being distributed throughout your home, I vote for getting the room demolished and addition started as soon as you can.
I agree. Get rid of the mold. ASAP. That can’t be good for either of you. As well as mold growing.
Nothing gets less expensive. I would build now. Take a breather once the addition is done.
I came to say the same thing. Inflation is a real factor to consider, and if you can afford to get on a contractor’s schedule now (and keeping in mind, he might be booked until Spring 2024 anyway), you may end up saving yourself money and time. We waited to replace our deck — and are paying much more and waiting longer than we intended. Our contract is about 25% more than the same deck priced two years ago.
The comments about how fast the addition will be constructed are well taken. There are lots of delays in the supply chain right now and it seems to me that getting things underway as soon as possible may well mean it’s not ready for you to take over until the end of the year anyway – if all things go well. I think you’ll have plenty of downtime if you need it.
I need my deck resurfaced and should have arranged to get it done about two years ago on the heels of having my front and side porches resurfaced. The cost of pressure treated lumber has skyrocketed in the meantime. I shudder to think what it’s going to cost now.
Avoid burnout! Wait a bit and use your studio more for entertaining. Finish up the carport and use it for temporary outdoor entertainment. I think you will find yourself very busy just finishing up your current projects. My vote – take a breather!
Being both the officially disabled one out of a chronically ill pair, AND the overachieving home organizer/decorator after each of our 7 moves in 10 years, I haven’t the faintest idea what I would do in your shoes… except to pray. 🙂 🙂 🙂
How precious that we have a God who knows what’s best for us, especially when we don’t! So I’ll be praying for you to be able to know what the better choice is, and I encourage you to continue asking Him to direct your steps, too!
I’m SO excited for you guys and what this year has brought, both in leaving the house, in keeping it cleaner, in having people in your home, and in getting so close to a potential rest and pause point! So many of those things have been true for us this year, too, *praise God*!!!!
Merry Christmas and the Lord’s blessings to one of my favorite blogging teams!
A hearty AMEN to this!
From me too! Since it may be well into 2023 before all that gets done, I vote for letting it get started next year, and you work on all those little things, and the studio for 2023. That way when YOU want to get started on that big project, 2023 OR 2024 it will be ready for you. And, your year is filled with the studio and all those little finishing projects and fun and outings with Matt, and company with friends and family. Sounds like an exciting year…with just some smaller things to get out of the way. The studio will be a big project anyway. ENJOY – and have a WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON!
This dilemma you have reminds me of when I was in college. Which wasn’t that long ago…I graduated in 2001 at age 48 with a BBA. But I was older with three teenagers, a husband that traveled all the time for his job and our home to manage too. I was trying to decide whether to take a break from school for the summer. Summer school is tougher as a course is packed into 5 weeks instead of a semester. My husband told me I know you want a break but if you take one, it will be tougher to go back in the fall. I went to summer school and I’m so glad I did. While you are working on your studio, the construction on your addition could be built. Then you can finish the addition on a schedule you set that can be adjusted when you need a break. And set a priority of which room needs to be finished first…based on what I’ve seen that would be the family room b/c it is what you need the most…more space. You can do this without getting burned out if you pace yourself. Get one room completely finished before moving to the laundry room and master. By pacing yourself, I’m saying finish the family room by end of summer, master in fall, etc. It doesn’t all have to be finished at the same time. Good Luck and I’ll be watching from the sidelines. 😊
This is the analogy I was thinking of—it’s easier going straight through from undergrad to grad school without breaks. I say go for it, but at a pace that’s comfortable (no more 10-12 hour days) 😊
I’m on Team Wait For It. Finish up the rooms you have now, but instead of doing the addition, start your workshop. This way you’ll have your studio and workshop to do all the messy stuff so the rest of the house is fully usable for you and Matt and is always guest ready. You can pace yourself and not worry about taking over rooms as a construction area. You can keep your house and build it too!
Matt knows you way better than we do and if he is concerned about burnout, then so am I.
I’m in agreement with all of the people who say to start the addition.
First, if you want to improve your backyard, you will have true perspective to design and install permanent trees, flowerbeds, patios and walkways.
Second, this addition is the largest and most important project you have left. Once the bones are in place you will have the rest of your life to work on this, or not, at your pace and desire.
I’m excited to see your master bathroom final reveal and looking forward to whatever posts you share in the future. 🙂
If $$ is not an object.. I say start the preliminaries now . Bedrooms & Family rooms are usually not as intense as kitchens & bathrooms.. However your creative side is a process (always in a good way!)
This is a good point as well. You’ve just finished a very intensive project – your primary bathroom – with so many moving parts. The gym has some construction to do and so will your studio.
A family room and large bedroom will be pieces of cake in comparison – and they won’t be ready for you to take over for months yet if you start the process now. You’ll have plenty of time to develop a vision for what you want the spaces to look like and how they need to function and that will make finishing them easier.
I think this is a matter of “know yourself” in order to contemplate the emotional impact of a lot of mental planning to initiate another really major project. The hours on Pinterest and Instagram to figure out what you would want in the addition. While work might not actually begin, based on how the contractor can schedule it, there would be considerable thinking and planning involved the moment you mentally decide, “Go!” At the same time, you are scrambling to finish the gym, then the big project of the studio, (seems to me many details await to get that done) and to redo aspects of design choices you have decided to change, etc . You have mentioned smaller things you want to do, like the dishwasher take-out and installation of whatever will go in its place. Maybe not very time-consuming for you, but still, they are niggling to-do things already on your list.
And, the outside plans to boot. More lists.
How different we all are! That’s not a judgment call; that’s a fact. Many people can have tons going on at once; others like to tie up loose ends and truly say, “It is finished.”
As you have mentioned many times, you often get to a point where the finish line is in sight but then things can get stalled. Motivation wavers to complete the project for one reason or the other. You call for accountability. We cheer you on (and maybe steal some of the pep talks to get our own stuff done.) Not life and death since your house is your work to be done on your schedule. You wisely break the monotony and pop in a creative invention. To me, your work pattern does not seem to be sequential, but rather, interestingly done in a somewhat spurty fashion. You have your reasons and it works for you. And if it works, and if it provides the impetus you need to keep things exciting, well then, put in motion all you can handle and enjoy the process.
I know you can handle all the physical labor. It also entails balancing all the other things you aspire to do to enjoy your time with Matt, both in and out of the house, and the enjoyment of entertaining friends and family. That all takes emotional energy and it may be just what you need to make life interesting.
You can handle anything to do with your house. You have the curiosity, interest to learn and experiment, and to try anything and even correct what goes wrong. I am proposing the contemplation aspect of being sure you want that much going on in your head while at the same time, moving forward with the final big interior project of the addition.
You will choose what is best for you and your peace of mind. I am amused when some of your readers feel the need to remind everyone that it is y.o.u.r house and you don’t need or want anyone to advise you on the course to take. As I see it, you are honest and humble in admitting you would appreciate some feedback and still, in the end, even when you read, “Go for it now” comments, you know well you will make your own decision about if and when.
We are along for the ride. Thanks for the invitation, Kristi.
My warmest regards to both you and to Matt.
I vote for 2024. I think you need some time to focus on the artist side of you. Do some more creative/arty projects you probably haven’t had much time for, and that you have said feed your soul. Additionally, hopefully the economy then will be more reasonable for a new build (supply prices, workmen availability, etc.) Take the break. I think once your workroom is better able to host guest, you won’t feel that pressure, either. My two cents.
What if you just let the contractors take over the new area, totally finish it and you worked as had time to on the unfinished projects that are already started?
Seems like it would be so nice to go to your new bedroom and family room and just relax.
Debbie’s comment was what I was thinking. Maybe get on your contractor’s list now and then save up the money this coming year so the contractor could do it all? You are creative enough with decor, etc you would still have plenty to do. If Matt is worried about burnout he may be seeing signs of it. Also life is so uncertain would you rather say you wished you’d spent more time as a couple or that you’d rather keep on as you have been. Just thoughts to consider.
Would choosing the second option give you more time for you and Matt to get out more? Life is short, enjoy your time together!
Construction and material prices will only increase if you wait. You can always go at your own pace to finish the rooms.
Do it as soon as possible. I know from experience. My husband and I remodeled an older home (1914). We kept putting off adding an addition for a family room kitchen. One day he came home from work sick and 3 months later he was gone. We put off a lot of things that I now regret. If you’re afraid of burnout just take off a month or so but at least get it started. You’re going to enjoy it so much.
Knowing how you operate, I say ASAP. It won’t matter when you start it, it will only matter when it is finished. And if you put it off, you may continue to put it off, and at some point, that will frustrate you. If you at least get the walls up and drywalled, you COULD put off the finishing (as you tend to do!) and just work at the pace that is good for YOU. Personally, I would have contractors do all but the painting/trim work, so you can enjoy the part of the job that you like best!!! Do the decorating part, and let the pros do the dirty work!
Kristi, would you be willing to have it added “right away” as long as it’s sealed up and then take your time in the finishing of it? Just because it’s there doesn’t mean you have to get it completed immediately. Having the deck sooner would obviously be amazing for you and Matt. It really comes down to you being willing to work at a slower, more manageable pace so you don’t get burnt out.
I would go with option #1. Too many things can happen in that short time, if you wait to start, plus you are going to be a year or two older, too! Age has a way of sneaking up fast. Best get it done, then sit back to enjoy it for the rest of your life!
I kind of favor a slightly different approach. Right now you don’t know when your contractor can get started, so that may decide the actual start date on the addition. I think getting the demolition out of the way would be uplifting! Once the contractor has done his part, you can take your time doing your part.
Another thing I didn’t see anyone mention is that Texas heat will impact the outdoor projects you can accomplish during the July-October period. You just can’t do too much outdoors during that time frame.
Building it sooner doesn’t mean you HAVE to start working on it sooner. It’s there whenever you want to start. Waiting might mean cheaper prices on lumber, etc…
Get help.
Reading through the comments, I’ve got one foot in wait, and one in ASAP. If you wait will supplies/labor costs go up? You could get the structure up and drywall, windows, roof etc done then if it has to sit for any reason, you can come back to it. I’m not sure how burned out you’re getting so that’s what you need to factor in. Anyhow, good luck!
either way, I would suggest getting some of those long white fold up tables and chairs and utilize your studio for entertaining. You could build a spot in there to store them. Or will your studio be in use/too messy to have guests in there?
Hi Kristy I’m so happy watching your progress. Congratulations on coming this far. Beautiful and commendable. My advice on how to proceed is from a new prospective. The rooms you are planning are simple construction with minor plumbIng. All of this work can be completed without interfering with your household. What is going to change though is the price and availability of construction materials. I suggest this maybe a good motivator to go forward with your decisions .
Hi Kristi and Matt, Wishing you both a Happy and healthy Holiday Season. I agree with Grace about getting the addition done now or as soon as possible. If you get the contractor to do the heavy work then you can finish at your own speed. If itvwere me the master bedroom and laundry room would be first. Hopefully the deck at the same time. You have made the committed about how the guest room being a tight fit. Giving Matt a larger room to move around in plus connected to the bathroom would be a plus for both of you. Having the laundry room finished would make chores easier.
It’s easy to see why you’d suffer from burnout! Another option is to just get the bones of the project in place, get the structure built and enclosed, then take off for doing any projects inside until 2024. As mentioned by others, just getting to that point will probably take longer than you think. Then 2023 could still go toward finishing what’s needed in the current house.
As an old foggy I can tell you that it is so much harder to get motivated again after an absence. You mean to but things happen. Aches and pains set in and the next thing you know time flew by. Maybe if you work on the family room first next spring it could give you a place for company to enjoy.Then work on the bedroom and laundry. Just slow down for and take your time planning for next spring.. You got this!
You could always have the contractor do his part in 2023, but you take a breather and don’t start your part until you’re ready, whenever that may be. Seal up the new construction and live in your “finished” space. I also expect prices will not go do, and with inflation, likely go up. This would save you that problem as well.
I think it would be better to start the addition next year rather than waiting two years. As others have said new construction can have all kinds of delays due to weather or material shortages but it would be better to keep your momentum going. That doesn’t mean you have to start working on the addition immediately but you also won’t have to wait for it to be completed when you are ready to start working on it. You can always do the porch refresh while the addition is being constructed and it would be better to wait on any backyard landscaping until all the machinery and building supplies are removed so that nothing gets damaged while your yard is a construction site. If you aren’t feeling burned out right now, I say keep going but just pace yourself. I can’t wait to see how you design and decorate those new areas.
Go for Option 1 (start building ASAP) because building costs are not going to go down. Lumber will probably not get any cheaper. You are a hard worker and seem like a self-starter. You are aware of burn-out so when you feel that coming on, just stop for a couple of weeks and rest. You will be so excited to be working on the addition that you probably won’t have burn-out. Then perhaps by Spring 2024 you can start on your yard landscaping. I so want to get my plan designed for my yard. Who was you designer?
Do it Now isn’t really “now”. My guess is that it’s at least 6 months till construction can actually start. So at earliest July 2023. Plans, permits, bids, select contractor, get on contractors schedule. Then there is construction time. So your part of work may not start till until September. So ‘now’ actually gives you a 9 mth break.