buyingafixerupper.com

ccera · #1 (**permalink**) 04-05-2006, 02:50 AM

This is the second site I have built completely from scratch. (The first one was truly pathetic.) It started because I was trying to find a home renovation cost calculator to add to my real estate site. I couldn't find one, so I had to build my own, but I thought it deserved it's own site.
I am still working on adding to the content on the Homeowners and Investors pages.
I particularly need to know if the calculator functions for everybody. So far it has behaved fine for me and for everyone else who's tried it, but this is the first php script I've written so I want to be sure I didn't miss anything.
Buying a Fixer Upper Home Page
Fixer Upper Cost Calculator
Thanks,
CiCi

CJacobson · #2 (**permalink**) 04-06-2006, 01:23 PM

The calculator seems to function as designed, and it was easy for me to use. I liked playing with it, but I wouldn't take its results very seriously.

IMHO, the cost estimates generally look way too high for do-it-yourself projects and generally too low for hiring outside help. (I've extensively renovated two houses... one of them in Greensboro where costs should be similar to Richmond.)

I think you should consider adding another variable right at the top: why don't you ask people whether they intend to do ALL labor themselves, SOME labor themselves, or NO labor at all?

Another alternative would be to break the results down into two columns: one for materials and one for labor.

Perhaps some of the categories should be broken down more too. For example:
* there's a world of difference between the costs of different roofing materials or different windows.
* painting the exterior costs a lot less if you're just painting trim... which is the case when you're renovating a brick house. Seems like every other house in Richmond is brick.
* do heat pumps cost the same if you have to add ductwork to a house that doesn't have any?
* what about the cost of adding gas heat, a regular air conditioning system, or a two heat-pump system (which is pretty common in two story houses)?
* do water heaters cost the same as other "appliances"? LOTS of houses need water heaters upgraded.
* landscaping could be broken down into several categories (e.g. installing/repairing outdoor stairs and walkways, installing a patio, installing raised bedding, planting trees, adding/repairing a fence, etc.)

Knowing the age of the house might be useful. In most categories I'd estimate higher for really old houses.

As a piece of code though, I think you're off to a good start.

ccera · #3 (**permalink**) 04-06-2006, 01:35 PM

Thanks so much for your careful attention and useful feedback. There are a couple of other categories I think I should add or expand as well.
In particular I am greatful for the "who is doing the work" part, as I had been trying to balance it out and it didn't occur to me to use that as a variable.
I am a little concerned about the form getting too long, but I suppose for anyone who is serious enough about a project to use the calculator at all, the more detail and accuracy the better.
Thanks again,
CiCi

ccera · #4 (**permalink**) 04-06-2006, 08:49 PM

Just a thought...
What do you think about adding an option to choose a quick or a detailed version?
CiCi

ccera · #5 (**permalink**) 04-12-2006, 01:13 AM

Following the earlier advice by CJacobson, I now have a results table which includes columns for materials and labor. Some of the numbers need a bit of further tweaking, and I still intend to add a few fields.
Lots of people have read this thread and gone from here to my site, with very little feedback. Is it that bad, just boring, or what? Anything you can give me would be great.
Thanks,
CiCi

ccera · #6 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 01:37 PM

I have added blog software. The idea is for anyone renovating/repairing a fixer upper to have a blog here about their adventure! There are no bloggers as yet, but I have someone in the process of buying a fixer upper who will do one when the purchase is complete. I have a couple of other possible bloggers as well.
CiCi

wariental · #7 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 09:45 PM

The simple design is on track. Try to intergrate the house image into the header gradient though.

Good luck,

pachamama · #8 (**permalink**) 04-21-2006, 11:34 AM

Nice simple design.

My only caveat is that when I see a website with a large form I am personally put off filling in too much info if at the last stage of submitting something goes wrong with the form. Call me a cynic but I have often filled in a form only for the webpage not to work properly. Not the case on your site but just a personal issue of mine I guess!!

ccera · #9 (**permalink**) 04-21-2006, 05:38 PM

Wariental, I know what you mean about the image in the header. I thought of making the background transparent, but unfortunately that would leave the "finished" side of the house blending in too much. If I can think of some good way to do it, I will. Maybe if I could remove the white outside of the house, and leave it inside?

Pachamama, long forms tend to make me nervous, too, and this one threatens to get even longer. Perhaps I will revisit the idea of choosing between quick or detailed calculators?

CiCi

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