Okay, this is definitely the place to get opinions--LOL. I know some on here know us personally and some do not. For those who don't, we are a family of 9 people currently, later this year, to be a family of 12. This is where I need the opinions. We moved into this home originally when we had 2 children knowing we'd eventually adopt more. Okay, the house we moved into orginally had 1900 sq. ft. w/ a 1000 unfinished upstairs. It was sized for a family of four as far as all systems go. We now have approximately 3100 sq. ft. finished. We did finish out upstairs, and added a back area onto the house that serves as our dining room. Now, dilemma. We need to make a decision and rather soon. We have to add on for the other kids coming home. What we would do is lose the garage we have and convert it into bedrooms. we are contemplating whether it would serve better to sell and move or to stay and finish all the work. Here are some concerns if we stay: 1) septic system load (it was originally sized for family of 4. How will it handle 12?!) 2) No hot water (don't have any now as it is. Need to add a second tank. Largest we can have is a 38 gal. lowboy due to location of tank) 3) electrical system overload. 4) we would be "stuck" for the rest of our lives as it would be too "customized" that it would not sell. Has anyone ever made a house too large for the systems? We would have to add another panel for sure to the house. We just think it is going to be too much system overload as it is now. Let alone, adding 3 more people in the home. In addition, my sister in-law stays a few days a week b/c her husband is out of work & we're helping them out. So, would you add on? Our main concern is indeed the septic system. County has inspected it & it is fine and we get it pumped every 2 years versus the recommended 3 years. The hot water is huge problem now and trying to solve it is maddening. I'm looking at suggestions of what others may have done. I know there are probably not that many big families but maybe some of you added more than you thought you would, etc. or work in the industry and have a good grasp of whether it wood even be feasible to do this. We are going to get estimates but do all work ourselves (except plumbing & roofing) to save money. DH used to work on houses. Anyhow, ideas as we have gone back & forth on what to do. My biggest fear is adding on and having a major system failure. A house that is originally sized for 4 people and will soon house 12, is worrisome to me. Trouble is, we LOVE our neighborhood and location. Thoughts? Stephanie--mom to 7
Yeah I think there would be a major septic issue there. You'll have to have it pumped very often. All I can tell ya is GOOD LUCK!! You are an awesome person just to have the room in your heart for all those people!
Hi Stephanie, sounds like it would be more trouble than it's probably worth,even if you did a lot of the work yourselves,plus it still would have to get inspected etc.
Have you looked at a tankless water heater as an alternative? Have you done any house hunting? Are there houses out there in your price range that would even fit what you are needing or do you think you'd have to customize any house you would buy?
Too funny. We have looked around at houses and there are quite a few available for sure. Deals are awesome now but that also means the house we're in would sell for less. Lots to consider. We know wherever we go, there would be sacrifices/ customizing issues that happen. We are not hard to please. Nothing fancy, something simple but always has to be functional. We've looked into buying smaller houses and adding on. We are extremely flexible. Bottom line is we really do not want to move from the house or the area but if we have to, we have to. Hoping to find a way to make it work. BTW, this decision would have to be made whether we were adding more kids or not. Just now has to be made faster. Thanks for all the responses both on here and via pm. Helps a bunch. Have a wonderful weekend. We're asking lots of questions this weekend for sure. Some of you have even given me more questions to ask--LOL.
