After firing 3 architects, my wife designed the place, was the general contractor, she purchased all the material including the elevator! She got the bids, negotiated contracts and expedited the entire project.

We did a LOT of the work ourselves: We cleaned and gutted the building before the old roof came off. We did the electric, replastering, finish carpentry, staining & varnishing, glass block and both the floor and bathroom tile. She did the interior design and the landscaping.

Yes... it was a lot of work but we saved a TON of $$$.

Because of our efforts, this project cost us less than had we bought a lot and built a house!

When asked: "What was the hardest part of this project?"

My wife replies: "Stay'n married!!!"

NOTE: I can be a real jerk because I'm anal and expect nothing but perfection. The contractors hated me... so she also was the buffer so they wouldn't walk off the job. ( they had a name for me that I can't print here)

"We" = Myself, my wife, our 2 sons, my father-in-law, brother-in-law and brother.


WHEW...it was a LOT of work... we are still trying to regain our sanity.