Podcast Ep 41: Pros & Cons of Being Your Own Contractor + Preserving Recipes & More

In this episode we spill the beans about being your own contractor. We’ve been our own contractor in the past (our previous home’s garage to living space remodel), but thought we might hire one for this bigger job. So we’re talking about the positives and negatives of hiring a general contractor to oversee your remodeling project, which sort of depends on your budget and what you hope to do. There are of course some farmhouse fixer updates (one big goal checked off the list!) and I list my top six recipes to can or freeze in September. Our cool things include Brian’s experience surfing in Oregon, and a great technique to get that writing project d.o.n.e.

You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio – or listen to it below right on your computer! Then use this page to check out any links, notes, or photos we talked about in the episode. Note: If you’re reading in a feed reader, you might have to click through to the post to see the player.

Some links in this article are affiliate links and if you click on them I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

Being Your Own Contractor

As we mentioned in the episode, we didn’t start out wanting to be our own contractor for this project, but that’s how it’s ended up – so far saving us 2/3 the cost of our highest foundation bid!

Here’s that Spruce article that helped us form our Pros & Cons list: Should You Be Your Own Contractor?

Farmhouse Updates

1. As you can see above, our foundation is finished and passed inspection! Now comes the grading and siding…
2. Our permit for the bedroom extension is pending.
3. We had some really great responses to what people thought the two doors were for – be sure to listen, it’s so interesting!

What’s Cooking

Preserving Recipes for September:

• My Favorite Thick & Flavorful Salsa for Canning (complete with tutorial)
• Addictive Tomato Chutney
• Garden Harvest Roasted Tomato Sauce
• Balsamic Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce
• Roasted Tomatillo or Green Tomato Salsa
• Canned Pizza Sauce

This is Really Cool!

Brian’s: First surfing lesson with our daughter was a blast! The shop they got lessons at is called Pura Vida and is located in Otter Rock, Oregon if you’re ever in the area – it’s a great little beach.

Jami’s: The “Kitchen Timer” writing technique (way to get a project done) from Lauren Graham’s book, Talking As Fast As I Can. Listen to the podcast for the details or get the book – it’s good.

Thanks for listening! If you like this podcast, you can really help us out by telling your friends, subscribing on iTunes, and leaving us a review – that’s how other’s will find us too.

And if you’d like to ask a question or leave an idea for future podcasts you can call (541) 658-0215 to leave a voicemail and we’ll talk about it on the air!

For more from An Oregon Cottage, follow on Instagram @AnOregonCottage, Facebook, and Pinterest, and subscribe to the AOC newsletter.

Disclosure: affiliate links in this post will earn commission based on sales, but it doesn’t change your price. Click here to read my full disclaimer and advertising disclosure.