Tuesday 23 March 2010

Missing Comments

Lately I have been preparing some more posts to put up here and I noticed that all the past comments have gone missing. I have no idea why they went or where they went. Maybe they thought they could be of better use commenting on someone else's blog. If so I hope they return when they're done. Until then I offer my apologies to those whose comments are among them.

Ooh I just noticed that they are all back now. Strange. Weird blog business. Carry on.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Hello Simon,
Thanks so much for writing a blog on your house purchase, removal and renovations, I read it from start to finish and loved it. I think it took about 2 hours. Yours is the first blog I have ever read!

My family (partner and 4 and 22mth old) live near Mullumbimby. We are yet to buy our land, but when we do, we (well I really) am obsessed about moving a house onto it. I found your blog so great as a path scribed out for others. I also found it hilarious to see your posts grow less frequent and more hasty as the family grew and hours in the day dwindled. This has also happened to our blog (littlefamily.multiply.com)

So, thanks again for your posts. I will always keep it bookmarked so that when the time comes, I will have a personal reference when negotiating all things house removal. Beautiful photos too.

Of course I am waiting to see what comes next, and of course your sum-up of the whole experience, is it worth it? Also, do you have any photos of the interior when the house was rejoined, as you described a kind of shock at your tornado-riddled house.

Cheers
Nella

Sean said...

Hey Nella
I'm very glad you found the blog useful. The growing family and the lack of posts go hand in hand. I am still planning to cover the bathroom, the kitchen, the final approval and the sum up of the whole experience. I have been energised by your words and will set to work.
Thanks for that.
Sean (you can call me Simon if you like)

Jon said...

Hi Sean

I too have just read your blog start to finish. I'm very conscious of the impacts of building (I'm a building sustainability consultant) and have been trying to design the greenest possible home to complete as an owner builder. After doing as you and Jan did, dreaming and designing, I have finally put together a budget, actually a cost estimate, using an industry standard book for doing just this, amended by alternative prices for materials and labour when using recycled materials. It's too much!

Our desires in a home mirror yours exactly - I'm astounded. My wife yesterday suggested we start looking at removal homes. I hadn't even thought of it, but it makes so much sense now I've done some reading. In a new home I couldn't figure out how to avoid using new fasteners, adhesives and paint, even if I could get all the other materials second-hand materials. But a second-hand house... What could be greener!

I'd love to read the final update, and specifically for my interest, what your final costs were. I'm really hoping that it works out cheaper in the end, for us and the planet.

Jon.

Sean said...

Hey Jon,
From what I have discovered, people's experiences of financial costs vary according mostly to the condition of the house before the move. Ours seemed pretty good and has not required any major restorative work. I am going to sum everything up soon. The important costs so far are outlined on the side of the posts. Kitchen and bathroom need to be added but these were fairly modest.
Ta
Sean

threadfix said...

Yahoo! What a beauty. Thank you for posting your experience about Atto. Early in 2008 I started looking for a removal home and Atto was one I was really excited about. What a beauty - but I never got to actually see it in the "flesh" - Alas it was already sold. So thank you for sharing this experience - you should be very proud of your efforts and thanks again for sharing the experience. Can't wait to show my kids - I have since collected 3 removal homes and hopefully about to grab my fourth - one for each of the kids! great way to get them set up.

Anonymous said...

G'day,
Love the story. All the little things that happened that I never thought about. Wow. You must have the patience of a saint.
My wife and I have been doing a lot of looking and reading at removable homes. We hope to start the (nightmare) process within the next 18 months. We are looking at somewhere around northern NSW, possibly in the Byron hinterland somewhere.
I am amazed at the costs. It's one thing to buy a house for $75K, but another to come to grips with the total outlay after adding extras.
You can't beat the woodwork in these houses. I love the wooden artwork, windows, VJ paneling etc. Those with aluminium windows and gyprock just don't get it, do they?
I have to ask - was it worth it?
Well worth the (3 hour) read.
Be well.
Steve

Sean said...

Hey Steve,
Thanks for reading. Yes it was well worth it. We love this house. I haven't done a summary post yet despite intending to for the last year or so. We got the house up to 'living in' stage and sort of stopped. There are quite a few cosmetic jobs to be done but I am in no rush to do them. The house works and works beautifully. Yes there are a few hidden costs. For us the plumbing was quite a lot. If you get a house that doesn't need things like a new roof you shouldn't have too many surprises.
All the best and email me if you have any specific questions.
Sean