I have heroes helping me! Check them out here and thank them please. We have helpful new posts under “Home Rebuilding”. With their help and others we were also able to assemble this cost calculator for you. It will help you figure out your cost for code compliance (hint: you’ll be making money) as well as review code updates back through 1990 for your insurance claim documentation. Astonishingly, the insurance industry did not yet have such a tool.
Speaking of code compliance, let’s talk about what’s good about these energy codes: They prevent climate change, war, greed, wildfires, and they prevent smoke. Yes, it’s true. We have a first hand account of someone who lives in a well-sealed house built to IECC 2021-rc, almost Passive House, standards, who was able to live in his house directly after the fires while his neighbors had to mitigate for smoke damage. So yes, these building codes prevent you having to breathe and mitigate smoke. More on this and similar topics here.
Speaking of code compliance cost, last week I contacted the local Homebuilders’ Association regarding the letter they put out with their estimates for the 2021 IECC compliance (which are wildly high). An administrator spoke with me and informed me that they have no documentation of those estimates. But she offered for their president to call me to explain. I am still awaiting his call.
Also last week, I reached out to Boulder Creek Neighborhoods because I was so excited about their low, low quotes for rebuilding. I wanted to find out how they’re planning to comply with potential current and future IECC 2021 energy code requirements. Since they’re an established local developer who has even settled into our Main Street with an office, I figured they must have a plan for this at the very least for the near future. I have not heard back, but I do hope they check out the handy builder resources we put together, and that the City of Louisville and Boulder County are planning. Boulder Creek Neighborhoods, we want to help you get our neighbors into new homes affordably.
I’ve updated a few things in my candid timeline, now archived here: Candid Advice from an Architect. Just my two cents more: Labor shortages and materials supply issues are still very real problems. These are problems none of us can solve singlehandedly. So, this is all the more reason to slow down and take control of your own situation, make sure your family is happy, make sure you’re happy. And… think about building a little smaller to control costs. Small is beautiful. More inspiration here.