The Ever-Tightening Budget

We're getting bids in from contractors.  And, a couple of them are much higher than our original uneducated guesses.  But, they do seem to be in line with the going rates for the type of work so we think they're correct.

Perhaps our experience with the home we bought doesn't correlate well to commercial work.  And maybe that's the issue.  Most of our guesses have been pretty damn close to the actual figures we're getting from contractors.  But the couple that have been off -- there's only been two so far -- have been way off.

Although the budget noose may be getting tighter and tighter and the margin of error may be shrinking (at least we still have one), I think we'll be just fine.

BONUS:  Stock tip for today:  Buy stock in Top Raman.  It's going to go to the moon!

Construction Bids Galore

I feel like I am spending all my time with construction workers. I know that sounds like a fantasy, but after a while you get tired of it. And they all seem to want to do things their own way. (Just like a man.) I ask for the same things of three or four different companies so I can compare them later but no two are alike when they send me the bids.
One of our latest wanted to install 10 bright fluorescent light fixtures. That would be great if we were lighting a basketball court, but I prefer soft lighting. I want lighting that makes me look 10 years younger, if possible. (Not sure how much that would cost.)
But don't worry, I will spend as much time as it takes with dozens of construction workers. And I'll have a big bottle of aspirin, too.