Construction

First off, should you choose to undertake this project of constructing your own observatory please keep in mind a few things prior to beginning your new temporary lifestyle:

1. You are required or at least advised to have the support of your spouse if you are to make this project fly.

2. I collaborated on the project with my wife by designing a family area with adequate room for them to spend time there while I imaged or observed (this was the big sell for getting this job done). There is even room for them to comfortably sleep with cots we store under the observatory area.

3. Take the time to make this a 2nd home if you can make it work! Financially, you will be glad you did!

4. Instead of building the structure yourself, take bids from contractors and DO THE MATH I quickly discovered the work I was planning on doing myself a contractor could do the same job for a couple of hundred dollars more.

Think about this: If you can frame the project for around $2,000 but a contractor can do it for around $3,500, is the $1,500 worth the time and risk? Here is an example: Lets say you decide you can frame it yourself and it will take you 2 weeks to do so, do you have that much time off from work and do you have the tools and expertise to complete the project without it falling down around you? Chances are, you do have adequate tools to complete the job; but do you have the professional touch and experience to complete the project and have it last?

A friend of mine in Montana took on a similar project of constructing an observatory but was injured falling off the roof of the structure, he suffered a broken leg and was out of work for over 3 weeks, not to mentioned the time he burned up actually constructing the structure he was out of sick and vacation time. Luckily, he had Short Term Disability insurance but, if he did not have this coverage the 15 days off would have cost him over $4,500 in earned wages! Is it worth your time and the chance of getting hurt? NO, IT IS NOT, hire a pro who will complete it faster and correctly, it is not worth the frustration and steep learning curve should you not have the expertise to construct the structure yourself.

HERE IS THE KEY: HIRE THE RIGHT (duh!) contractor, take your time to ask around and find a trustworthy individual to complete your project who has worked with someone you trust or perhaps a relative of a co-worker (as in my case). I have to thank Mr. Henry Ramirez Sr. his wife Barbara and Henry Jr. for their willingness to construct the observatory, they made it affordable and went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed to make this a structure that would last!

Henry and Crew Hallway to Observatory My brother Khail

Once you are able to contact a contractor to build your structure, you will be amazed at how much you can afford!

5. Design your observatory for future expansion, it may not seem like it now but you will likely be here for a while so plan extra outlets, network lines, extra lights, outside lighting etc., think re-sale! Even though you may tire of this location as an observing site, it is likely that your buyer will really want it based on what you added when you planned the construction. We added S-Video, VGA, RCA and Surround Sound lines from the observatory to the family area for viewing on the 26" Flat panel LCD TV; we also ran computer lines to our son's computer in the corner of the front family room so that anything on that computer can be viewed either in the observatory or on the family TV screen. Lastly, I wired the lights for the family room (12X24 Feet) on two different light switches so either future expansion would allow for building a wall between the two areas making two rooms should the new owner desire an separate area with its own lighting