Prior to this house renovation, I thought I was decisive. Sometimes I would waffle on what to have for dinner, but overall, I was fairly efficient at getting the "decision making job" done. Oh for the days of simply deciding what is for dinner (fresh Alaskan salmon from costco, if you're interested).
Now I wake up nearly every morning with a list of things to decide. Ponder, pick and buy flooring for the kitchen and half bath. Design and buy materials for the 2 full bathrooms. Paint color, oven type, refrigerator size, flushing capacity of the toilet. Ahhhhh! I believe I underestimated how many little bitty things have to be decided to tear down - and then build back up - a 1500 square foot home.
Today's decision: The large wall in the basement is south facing. There are two small basement windows at the top of the wall that are going to be replaced. We have the option of enlarging both windows to full size by digging out a window well, chopping into the basement cinder block wall, and installing big windows. Do we do it?
The positives: more daylight in the basement will make it a much more enjoyable space to be in. Who doesn't like a "bright" basement. Full sized windows in the basement will enable us to create a legal apartment downstairs if we decide to keep this house as an income property. And finally, the price difference to dig out the windows is probably $1000; not a deal breaker.
The negatives: We'll probably be one of the only houses in the area to have larger windows. As previous posts has indicated, our neighborhood is not crime free. Bigger windows mean more opportunity for forced entry. And it feels like we are constantly over-budget for everything! Electrical, appliances, termite damage. It's only $1000 - but that's another $1000!!!!
I dunno... and I need to make a decision. Today. Chris and the contractor think yes. I think..... I'd rather decide what we're having for dinner.
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put the windows in. you only get one shot to add those windows in and you're never going to complain about natural light in the basement...
ReplyDeleteBryan has it right. Put in the windows and buy a security system (or a sign that says you have a security system and a plastic box on the wall outside :). Otherwise, every time you go down there you will think about how much brighter it could be. More important to keep shrubbery away from the side of the house. Size of windows won't stop or encourage n opportunistic thief.
ReplyDeleteget a giant barking dog. (i bark too...on command!)
ReplyDelete