Here is the latest version on the remodel plan:
What's different from the last plan? Sheryl's brother Mark mentioned that the location of the new bathroom in the last plan seemed awkward given its proximity to the new family room. Likewise, Sheryl didn't really like the main bathroom opening onto the main hallway.
So...
We changed the configuration of the new master bathroom so that it could also serve as a second bathroom for the rest of the house, eliminating the need for an additional half bath. The closets for the master bedroom have also been relocated to provide better flow through. We reconfigured the main bath to accomodate the changed entry, making room for the heating system hardware in the process (this was going to be out in the garage before, but that was not a great option as it would require sectioning off an area plus enclosing and heating the space).
We need to have a clear idea of where we're heading with the remodel very soon. We had an energy audit done earlier this month, in which a man came out with some equipment to test for airflow (leakage) through the house, made some measurements, and plugged everything into a piece of software that told him our house is an energy hog. We knew that already, of course, but now we have outside data.
The audit was step one. In the next 18 months we need to do what we can to upgrade the insulation package and get the auditor back out for a follow-up. Depending on how much we can decrease the energy loss we can get money back from the state of Alaska, up to $10,000 (depending on how much we spend and how much better the house is as a result).
Step two comes on Tuesday, when the folks from Bicknell Construction come over to look over the house. If the price is right (and we have no idea how much we're talking about), we'll have them build the shell of the addition, reroof the house, and reside/insulate the walls, replacing old windows as they go.
We've also got an architect coming to visit. Sheryl won four hours of architectural consulting in an auction a few months ago. We're not quite sure what that means, but I [Michael] am hopeful it will get us toward working drawings that the construction company can use to erect the addition.
So here it is, the new floorplan, as it currently sits. Any comments?
