The wait is over. After a few surprising delays, my
bathroom remodeling is under way.
One of the delays was the struggle to find a hotel
that I could afford for the week of the project.
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have made finding an
accessible room with a kitchenette nearly impossible.
Since New Mexico was a state that absorbed the
evacuees from the Gulf Coast, hotel and motel owners
have raised their rates considerably. The search for a
room became a quest when I called several places and
found rates as high as $75 a night for a standard room
without a refrigerator or microwave. I needed a room
with a small kitchen to cut my food costs.
I managed to budget some money for a temporary
apartment, but when I went to make the reservation, I
found many evacuees still living in Albuquerque's
temporary quarters.
Not only did the price of lodging rise, but building
materials have jumped considerably too. I postponed
several purchases until the start of my project, simply
because I didn't have the space to store drywall and
plywood sheets. Now I wish I had cleared out my garage a
bit more.
My well-planned budget is now just a good idea. I've
had to make many adjustments to get this project and my
pilot for a universal design program off the ground.
Luckily, I still have my original contractors. They
didn't take off for the gulf states in hopes of finding
solid work for the next two years that will pay
considerably more money. Many small contractors have
left to get business they would otherwise have to fight
for here in a state where building goes on every day of
the year.
Many bigger corporations are passing the buck of
rising gas prices and other energy costs to consumers.
Some have even tacked on freight charges. In the mist of
all this, the federal government is looking to raise
interest rates to keep prices from rising, a typical
inflation tool used in the past.
It seems many consumers are paying higher prices
because they believe they have no other choice.
But some consumers have chosen not to buy retail
items or take pleasure trips due to the high cost of
gas. I've had to look at my remodeling project and cut
out some items that were within my budget before the
hurricanes. Trimming this project has also put my second
one in jeopardy.
I had planned to finish my new fire escape before the
holiday season. I've punched out a window in my bedroom
that overlooks my backyard and put in a door. I have to
find additional money to build the deck and ramp that
will lead me to my driveway and to safety.
Move over Mr. President. You weren't the only one not
prepared for the effects of two huge hurricanes.
McKee, a wheelchair user, is an Albuquerque
writer, poet and producer. You can e-mail Barbara
at chairgrrl@chairgrrl.com.
Her column runs on Tuesdays.
