Dude! Seriously? It costs THAT much??!
I thought I had an edge over the average Joe, since the construction industry indirectly pays my rent (and occasionally lays me off...) But it turns out, when I am asked to do pricing for others I am generally not overly concerned with the bottom line. After all, I didn't choose the fancy pavers in the plaza or the partitions in the restrooms, I just count how many of them there are and add the number to a spreadsheet. Also, when you are talking bugdets of $2.8 million, a $2500 counter top really ain't such a big deal.
But, $2500 is a big deal to me and my significantly reduced bank account. Think it can't possibly cost that much? Well, think again. All I wanted was a nice, granite counter. Is that so much to ask? I found out it is freaking $64 a square foot, not including the cost for backsplash or edging. Poo.
No granite for me.
Guess what else costs more than I thought?
1. Sheds.
2. Paint.
3. Tile flooring.
4. Overlay for concrete floors.
5. Fireplaces.
6. Ladders.
7. Gardening tools.
8. Books about gardening.
9. Trash pick up service.
10. Composting.
11. Cable television*
*Actually, on that last one, it is hard to say. You see, the cable company advertises this "triple play" deal which gives a great price for the first six months. However, no one seems to be able to quantify the costs after that. We don't even really want cable tv, but it is actually more expensive to get just a phone line and internet service. WTF?
6 comments:
It's shocking how fast the costs add up. When we redid the bathroom at my old house, the total was close to $7k. I thought no way, but my mom had me add up the receipts. Sure enough. I still don't know how it happened.
Consider architectural salvage and look online for specials, overruns, canceled special orders, that sort of thing. There are bargains to be had, but you have to work for them.
I totally hear ya! everything is so freakin' expensive! I can't even go to the grocery store for one item without spending like $20. It's INSANE! I thought the recession would at least give us some low-priced stuff. GRRRRRRR.
Ah, yes, there is a reason why I don't have granite countertops.
When we had the basement finished to put in the rec room / playroom, it cost us $30,000. (And since it would likely have take me like 3 years to do it, it was worth the $30k. But it still ain't cheap!)
I know! Ridiculous! It quickly became clear to me and Hubby that we had to look at our house as a long term labor of love... an ever lengthening long list of Things We Want to Do.
Did you check out granite tile instead? That's what we have. Looks just as purty.
And composting? I know I have a post somewhere on my blog where I built my own compost bin using discarded pallets.... Ms. Engineering Lady, you could do that! Better than I did!
Where'd you go?? Time for another post! It took me two weeks to post something new as well...but it's time! I want to laugh. :-)
other things that are surprisingly expensive:
stamps
light bulbs
mozzarella sticks
running water
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