I knew that we could encounter difficulties when replicating our house because of different standards and building codes, but it affected us in ways I didn't expect. Because literally all that was left of our house was the facade and the party wall,^* this isn't considered a renovation but a completely new project and consequently lots of our old features can't be grandfathered in. For example, the vent for our washer/dryer used to go out to the driveway, but now the code says it has to be so many feet away from a driveway and window, which means now we have to build a chimney to the roof because that's the only space we can put it.

Particularly problematic right now are the front windows. None of my friends spent much time there so you probably don't remember, but it was leaded stained glass. Now the building code demands energy efficiency, i.e. double-paned windows or windows that are two panes thick to create more insulation. We can't have two pieces of stained glass right next to each other or it'll ruin the effect, so what we're doing is sandwiching it between two pieces of regular glass, meaning it'll be three-panes thick and more lead. The weight is such that our double-hung windows probably won't be able to take it and won't stay up when we open it, so now we're discussing whether we should turn it into a casement window.

Yeah. When they tell you there are surprises in construction, they weren't fucking kidding.

^* That sounds more awesome than it actually is.