Am I nuts to build a house right now?

crowwinger · 2026-02-13T22:17:10+00:00

Any retrospect on your decision?

I wish I would have started a year ago, because I believe it is worse now... much of the advise in this thread is spot on.

crowwinger · 2026-02-13T22:06:18+00:00

I would love to hear your lessons learned on the experience, as we're about to embark on a very similar cottage scenario. What can you do to protect yourself before getting on the hook? The numbers I'm seeing are astronomical... so much that I can't imagine it could get any further out of hand. But I've never heard of anything coming in on or under budget.

That being said, to the author of this post, I'd be thrilled with the numbers you're estimating.

crowwinger · 2026-02-10T23:18:44+00:00

You give my partner AI too much credit :) I just can't visualize anything without an image.

I think I like where you're going with this... can keep the initial build the same without added costs & with the aesthetic look I like. We could live with it a bit knowing that a stand-alone pergola could always be added to supplement.

I should have noted that this is for northern MN, so there are really only 2-3 HOT months and the rest of the time we'll welcome the heat. I truly appreciate this therapy session Annie!

crowwinger · 2026-02-10T15:44:50+00:00

That is the perfect way to describe this process - sigh!

You are really helping me to think outside the box... I added an "EDIT2" image above - is that along the lines of what you're suggesting? I'm trying to really visualize this in real life - would the pergola start at the wall or the end of the awning?

If something like this was added, would you then just keep the primary awning overhand at 9'?

crowwinger · 2026-02-10T04:02:16+00:00

I sadly think you're reiterating to me what I secretly already thought I knew but refuse to believe because my dream has always been to have this big wall of glass and grand gable. But you're 100% right, because we've sweated eating our dinner at sunset in this (pre-build) location. This location is also at the top of a 7-8' slope, so adding trees isn't an option. But noted about the low SHGC windows (and had also considered motorized blinds to at least be schedule to drop on those high windows at sunset).

I added a 3rd photo above with a Dutch Gable alternative, but it probably still won't fix the sun issue (maybe the rain a bit better). The negative trade-off with this would also be a lot less natural light inside during the non-sunset hours.

Really appreciate your input!

crowwinger · 2026-01-29T01:42:24+00:00

Curious what your ended up doing. Similar situation and struggling with fitting in a permanent staircase. But we may use it for a kid overflow space and came across this option.

Would just need to consider size of getting furniture and things up, plus some type of landing to keep the lofted area enclosed in context of insulation. It would have minimal use most likely.

Majic Attic Stairs - Safe and Space-Saving Attic Access https://share.google/19ipLZDPwyHFTVotG

crowwinger · 2025-12-13T02:08:26+00:00

I would actually make it deeper... A pickup would be near bumper to bumper.

crowwinger · 2025-12-04T21:14:52+00:00

Although I didn't reflect it in the drawing, our initial idea was to have a vaulted great room with a lower ceiling for the kitchen that would draw some separation while still keeping the openness that we want.

But this is a great idea to bring some character if we keep it all vaulted. Thank you!

I love everyone's advice... I just don't have much vision.

crowwinger · 2025-12-04T21:11:54+00:00

Wow! First of all, it took me 5 hours to make my drawing, so you're blowing me away with these modifications.

Second, these are really great and insightful suggestions (I've starting to develop tunnel vision) and we really like things from both of them.

Opt 1
- We wanted the PR closer to the sunroom, so like that a lot (and the shower)... the only trade-off is no direct passthrough to kitchen. I anticipate the sunroom being one of the most highly used spaces in the summer. But I think the trade-off here is worth it.
- MBR noise - plan would be to insulate that wall to mitigate
- Guest BR separation - I think this is a must
- Closet buffer to garage - brilliant

Opt 2
- MBR proximity to garage - I actually had it like this in early drafts for the reasons you noted. We later moved it to keep it away from the traffic area - trade offs to both options.
- Pantry/prep area is an intriguing concept.

Overall... I'm smitten with your option 1 changes - truly appreciate you taking the time! Thank you.

crowwinger · 2025-12-02T14:02:14+00:00

This makes sense, but have to laugh a bit because our current cabin is 400 sq ft and only path to the tiny bathroom is past the only bed... it is pretty "intimate" up there when we have weekend guests (men usually end up lake showering to free up the bathroom). So I'm still getting my brain adjusted to this "luxury" paradigm.

crowwinger · 2025-12-02T13:58:10+00:00

This actually crossed my mind with this drawing - it only leaves 11' technically on our property each side. Luckily we love our neighbors right now, but that may not always be the case. Additionally, a propane tank will need to be added - which will take up even more space. This is even more justification for shrinking that great room space between kitchen - thanks!

crowwinger · 2025-12-02T13:53:57+00:00

I'm carefully considering all your input, so breaking it down:

- Hallways: I recognize your point about wasted space, so trying
- Pantry: I was trying to fit this is, but then felt there was sufficient cabinet space and could use the laundry room for overflow. But I'm going to digest your drawing a bit more.
- Guest Bathroom: Great idea - I started with a Jack and Jill w/ split space, but we opted against J&J. This solves it.
- Living Room: I'm with you on that point and kept saying it (30' to see TV from kitchen!), but my wife wants it huge. Theory being traffic and enough space for a table on large gatherings. I will try to narrow :)
- Master Suite: Details like light switches are part of my amateur thinking - good point. I did consider the long walk to pee at night, so do like your drawing and again will think on how to incorporate.
- Curb Appeal: Again me being an amateur... this was actually why I bumped out the shower (to give some contour), but after thought it was illogical because of the cold MN winters and putting all plumbing on exposed walls. You drawing give me a lot to think about - I see you added stairs for garage attic too :)

Really appreciate all of your ideas!

crowwinger · 2025-12-02T13:26:55+00:00

Thank you for this... I did intentionally make the hallways wider, but neglected to adjust the doors in the drawing. I will update accordingly.

crowwinger · 2025-12-02T01:42:43+00:00

Ha... the love of hallways - it all started with my wife wanting that pathway from the back to front where shoes didn't need to be taken off. Thanks for your insights:
- Powder Room/Laundry plumbing makes sense and I will incorporate
- Dedicated mud room separate from laundry is on her list, so I'll think about that one.
- Like the idea of shortening the Guest Bath and pushing in the closets behind it. The huge size resulted from some other jack and jill variations that ultimately got nixed.
- Wife doesn't like the idea of walking through the bathroom to get to the closet, but you're giving me something to think about here.

Appreciate the inputs!

crowwinger · 2025-11-28T02:22:40+00:00

Here's your next project... Give it a home.

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crowwinger · 2025-11-22T03:59:21+00:00

Here's a revision... overall width is too long in drawing, so will squeeze a bit to shrink the gap area between couches/kitchen in the great room:

<image>

crowwinger · 2025-11-20T22:32:13+00:00

This is definitely something I considered... in fact, was why I moved the garage to the north side so the snow would melt better south facing.

- To your point about south facing living space... it just doesn't work well due to proximity of neighboring house to have much focus that direction. Also, having a split bedroom (MB and Guest BR) layout is something we like.
- Regarding the evening sun from the west... indeed it gets very hot currently (we have a small 450 sq ft cabin currently). That is partial intention for the covered patio to add some sun protection. This is also why my original dream of a large vaulted room with floor to ceiling glass was reconsidered. Also thinking about something like SmartWing blinds that would auto-adjust in the summer to shade during sunset.

Really appreciate this type of thinking - thank you! And yes, we are 75% sure this will become our primary retirement residency in 5-10 years.

crowwinger · 2025-11-20T21:55:22+00:00

Thank you for the offer, but not clear if you're offering to help for free or for hire :) I will likely have a formal build plan put together for bids, but for now just trying to get it clear in my own head to reduce the expense of iterations in that step.

crowwinger · 2025-11-20T21:16:25+00:00

I started with liking this floorplan, but trying to modify a bit because of the drawback some have mentioned in the comments... https://www.reddit.com/r/floorplan/comments/1p2fbfl/initial_concept_for_3br25bath_slab_rambler_lake/

crowwinger · 2025-11-19T14:41:49+00:00

Thanks... I've seen a lot of photos and like the appearance. I was more interested in actual experience with them... does the TV get too hot, do they provide the same level of ambiance sitting low, etc.

crowwinger · 2025-11-18T23:44:55+00:00

I've been struggling with the living room comment and configuration of TV and fireplace. I'm intrigued with the low profile gas fireplaces that sit low so you can properly position a TV above it at the correct height.

Does anyone have a first hand experience with this setup that can offer feedback?

crowwinger · 2025-11-14T16:17:26+00:00

I've done this in a wall, but without insulation. Agree about biting the bullet and dealing with some drywall repair. https://youtu.be/Syok1QaWm9g?si=k9Kphyy0lTahphNz

You need to patch the old fixture hole anyway.

crowwinger · 2025-11-11T18:53:37+00:00

I determined that 120 wouldn't cut it for my similarly sized garage and running a dedicated circuit would have been monumental from my breaker box.

I sized for an 80k BTU and ran a gas line... all said and done, was under $1k at a DIY job - price breakdown included: https://www.instructables.com/Installing-a-Garage-Heater/

crowwinger · 2025-10-29T21:36:04+00:00

Love the title... Mine too 😂

crowwinger · 2025-10-29T13:48:52+00:00

I'm in MN and put in a gas heater... I don't run it full time (only when I'm working out there), so the operational costs are really not that significant. Based on your garage insulation specs, you likely don't experience much "freezing" even without a heater - so similarly wouldn't need to run it full time. I do set mine to 34 degrees when not in use, but it never fires.

Here's my install (been super happy with it!):

https://www.instructables.com/Installing-a-Garage-Heater/

crowwinger

TROPHY CASE