Building?

[Juliacat]

We're thinking about building an efficiency apartment in the back yard of our very small house for my mother to stay in when she does child care, also for other people to stay in just to visit. Does anyone have any idea how to get started with such a project?

[Angie3]

Granny Flat

Hi - some cities in the US and Canada seem to be implementing new zoning regulations to accommodate what you're planning on doing. Google the word's "granny flat" or "casita". Most refer to it as a granny flat. Prices vary from place to place and depending upon the size of your project.

Sounds like a win-win situation for you and your mom.

[Carson]

It does sound like a good situation, but I would strongly caution you to get all the proper zoning approvals / permits and figure out the property tax implications of it.

In our area we call those 'coach houses' just another term to search for in looking for plans.

[grahamsmom98]

We've done this.

I agree with the previous posters re: permits, tax info and zoning concerns.

We built our in 2003. It cost around $39,000. I'd be happy to give you specific ideas as to what we did. Feel free to pm me!!

[Juliacat]

Originally Posted by grahamsmom98

We've done this.

I agree with the previous posters re: permits, tax info and zoning concerns.

We built our in 2003. It cost around $39,000. I'd be happy to give you specific ideas as to what we did. Feel free to pm me!!

Good grief, our house didn't cost that much.

[SuzyLee]

I would love one of these but I doubt we would ever do it.

My friend is doing this- they have a detatched garage that was falling apart, and they needed to tear it down and build a new one. So they put a loft above the new garage and made it into a little apartment. Her IL's paid for that part of the garage bc they were the onces that wanted to come stay in it! Worked out great for her!

What about buying one of those teeny tiny houses that come on wheels and just aprking it in your yard? You might need to get a concrete slab poured. I don't know what the zoing implications of that are though.

[Juliacat]

Never mind

I just called the city and contrary to what I thought I knew, our lot isn't big enough to build on. So it's back to the "drawing board," so to speak.