We're at "Lock Up" But No Can Do

Building a house is a pretty exciting project. There's lots to do: so many choices, so little money . . . I mean, time! Choosing a plan, flooring, colours--many small decisions along the way right until move-in day.

There are a few landmarks during this process. Digging the basement. Walls and trusses up. Roof on. Lock up. Interior walls and flooring. Finishing. Painting. Moving Day!

Lock up. That's just what it says. Everything is closed in--all doors and windows installed--and the building can be locked up.

That's where our project is; however, there is one small problem. We can't lock it up.

The reason we can't lock it up is because someone trespassed onto the building site and STOLE all the door knobs, deadbolts, and locks, along with six rolls of tuck tape and a set of laminated plans.

Replacing the hardware today cost a little over $500. So now we can lock up.

I ask myself: who would steal door knobs and locks? What would they do with them? Are these people reselling them--I suppose that's a possibility; after all, we know that they are worth . . . a little over $500.

On the other hand, perhaps in the midst of a financial crisis (we had one ourselves today, worth . . . a little over $500), this is a new way of building a house. Visit all the building sites in and around town. Pick up a load of two-by-sixes here, a few doors there, some windows from another place. You might even be able to pick up a set of laminated plans.

Lock up? yes--but the house is not the only thing that needs to be locked up!