Those Darn Load-Bearing Walls

The good news is that the wall between the kitchen and laundry area can be torn down. That's not actually news.

The real news, which is not so good, is that it is indeed a load bearing wall and to take the whole wall out would require adding a header, two support posts on either side, get an extra permit (which can take around 4 weeks) and the consultation and approval of a structural engineer. This, I am told, will cost about an extra $15k. Yikes!

Too bad I can't just have one of the trusty Loral structural engineers to do this and pay him with a 6-pack of beers! Maybe if we make it look like a satellite...hmmm....

Still, I think it's worth it. Not only for the resale value, but for my own use. It's a perfectly good space that would open up the otherwise boxy floor plan.

Next on the list is to pick a general contractor. I interviewed one this morning (the guy who did the home inspection, actually) and he sounds good. He's been doing kitchen and bathroom remodeling for 30 years and has a regular set of subcontractors (electrician, plumber, carpenter, tiler) who he works with, so it's a better bet that they will be motivated to continue to do a good job.

Whoever we go with, we'll have to meet with him at the house to review the plans, after which the cost and schedule will be proposed. I'm prepared for the inevitable large figure and long schedule that is sure to come, given my optimism and inexperience with this whole remodeling business. But the good thing is that this will allow us to better gage what can be done by whom and when.