Scope Creep

8 years ago

Is the enemy of every project. Currently, my latest example is that with the 18' ceilings in the house / shop, and the amount of stuff we've taken out to complete ourselves, we're in need of a scissor lift. (and would like one to manage the entire outside of the structures)

We added temporary lighting to the house this past weekend.

Using a ladder. We have 5 more garage doors to install. We have some insulation and caulking to do at height.

Renting a scissor lift (Skyjack 3219 - unfortunate name, huh?) is $1K / month.

So - how much are used scissor lifts? Well..... off rental 6+ year old lifts that have been stored outside and look terrible are $5K -no warranty and beat to ^&@%. Finding a nicer one in California is the same price but with $2500 in shipping.

New 2018 model (no clue what upgrades have been done since 2017 - but hey, you always get the latest, right?) are $10K and are going up in price 2.5% after January 1. Rental places are having a hard time keeping them in stock. And they appear to hold their value pretty well...

This is what my life has become. Happy 20th Anniversary and Merry Christmas, hubby - it's all yours...

(if you can't be a role model, at least serve as a warning to others)

Featured Answer

kayce03

8 years ago

jannicone - what did you decide on for cladding the walls? Is that wood paneling?

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Comments (14)

PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
8 years ago
That's a heck of a 'house'.
just_janni
Original Author
8 years ago
It SHOULD look like this when it’s done
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PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
8 years ago
Nice
redbird2010
8 years ago
That's steep for a lift we rent them for 400$ a month
just_janni
Original Author
8 years ago
I need to look around more!
beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
8 years ago
Wow, that looks amazing!

Have you looked at your nearest Ritchie Brothers auction site? I'm fairly certain they're in California. We farm and also have a small construction company, and have found a fair amount of reasonably priced decent machinery (in between the stuff that went for far too much...) at Ritchie Bros. You can go before the sales to inspect the items, and the staff will start machines and let you test-drive them.
just_janni
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi Becky - yes I have been scouring all the auction sites. It simply appears that these things hold their value and folks are hanging on to them. I am waiting on quote from someone that uses them only as warehouse rentals, and will paint / refurb them - so that might same me some money - otherwise.... Merry Christmas! LOL
rockybird
8 years ago
I cant help (I dont even know what a scissor lift is LOL) but wow what a house! It looks amazing. I hope you post pictures as you go! Do you have elevations to show?
just_janni
Original Author
8 years ago

It should look like this with way less concrete / more grass - but including the orange door, pool and screened porch. So far the only deviation so far is that the supporting steel under the overhang structure we painted white.
just_janni
Original Author
8 years ago
It's shown as wood paneling, but we've back to using our "original" plan of concrete walls / panels sitting on steel i-beams that are bolted to the floor. The concrete panel manufacturer managed to deliver what they said they would and are installing now. Hubby is happy. I'll happy when they are 100% in / done.

I have some wood accent paneling that I will do behind the TV area, and perhaps behind my bed - and will be looking around for other cool things - like perhaps some acoustic tiles - but on the interior walls we landed on the original plan. (despite my concerns...)
Ron Natalie
8 years ago
I bought an UPRIGHT lift for next to nothing on ebay, the problem is you have to find one nearby because the cost to ship it would be way more than it is worth.
just_janni thanked Ron Natalie
weedyacres
8 years ago
Check CL and ebay, buy one, then resell it when you're done. You should be able to find a Genie that goes up 12' (that's platform height, so you can reach 18' when standing on it) for about $4K. As long as you'll be doing the outside work from a level slab, it should take care of you.

Ask at equipment rental places; they typically have stuff for sale.
just_janni thanked weedyacres
just_janni
Original Author
8 years ago
I've been checking CL and ebay and auctions and equipment trader- they are crazy expensive even for OLD ones. And honestly I think we'll have fairly consistent use for the thing even AFTER we complete the build. The house and shop will be on the same final floor elevation with the ability to go from one bldg to the other without any stairs. Both buildings have 6' plinths around the perimeter, so I could use the lift to clean gutters, wash the 3 meter high windows, hang Christmas lights (seasonal flair!) and do a host of things INSIDE too. So - I want to get a decent one with the expectation of keeping it. Right now - looking at the factory refurbished unit with low hours. The rental units we've seen / used, etc have been pretty nasty / beat up.

If i get a decent one, and we don't end up using it/ needing it then we can sell a nicer one later.

Hoping to be driving one around before new years!