We’re both alpha type personalities who love to do things our own way. While that might make our hearts happy in the short term, it can also lead to less than stellar results when we aren’t working with the best tools for the job (i.e. each other). We often categorize Keith as Function and Denaige as Form while understanding there is both in each of us. But, when it comes to thinking about the details, we each shine in our area. When our expectations collide in this way, we call it a Form + Function Situation—FFS!
Although there are a few FFS on the marriage record (hey, who’s keeping track??), we recently had our first Forever Home FFS. Here’s the context…
We prioritized the roof repair as part of the immediate need to control water. So, the most important thing was for the roof to be fixed quickly. It was also is understood that there would be a certain amount of “regret cost” associated with the repair. That’s because, while the roof needs repairs now, we will be doing extensive renovations and don’t yet know what the final roof will look like—though we know it will not be as it is today. We’re researching options for metal, solar, and other new products.
Contractors are easy to find but hard to secure in our part of Nova Scotia. Most are booked for 1-2 years which means that planning and preparation are key. That doesn’t help us much right now, but it is a good tip for the future! Fortunately, our neighbours recently bought their property as well, and also needed roof work done, so we were able to source a roofer who could do the job on short notice.
Enter the FFS. Given the time pressure to get the work done before rainy season kicks in, all our focus was on getting ready for the work and moving on to the next part of the water issue—tearing out the deck to address foundation and framing issues. We made assumptions that the right shingles were ordered and it turns out we weren’t the only ones. Our contractor had taken a photo to the supplier to match the colour and nobody actually double checked the product ordered against the original. So, we now have mid grey shingle on three sides.
Fortunately, you really don’t see the shingles from the front and wouldn’t notice they are the wrong colour until you see the ridge line from the back or are in the upper rooms looking over the addition. The silver lining is we’ll get to test our new home colour with a couple different roof options!
Now & When 