Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Standardization

[Joani Blank (jeblank]

Heather,

Of course it depends on what you are standardizing. You don't save money by
everyone have the same color of carpet or formica, but on basic design of
units (only 4 or 5 "types" at the most), appliances, kitchen and bath
fixtures, not to mention windows, doors and the like, you absolutely will
save moneyby standardizing.. So much in fact that it may well be cheaper for
an individual owner to actually rip out an installed toilet or stove that is
"standard" and install his or her own after the fact than it will be to have
the architect design and the builder build each unit to the individual's
specifications.  It is also a good idea, after consensing on the basics, to
have a limited number of "standard" upgrades that do make sense to build in
at the start, i.e. an extra half bathroom, tiling a bathroom instead of
using a fiberglass shower enclosure, a fireplace. Upgrades beyond the
standard ones (whatever you decide they will be) will then be the unit
owner's responsiblity. 

Joani Blank
Doyle St and Old Oakland (CA)