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I'm based in Southern California and I'm looking to build a 600 sq. ft. 1 bedroom apartment in my yard for me to live in so I can rent out my house. I've met with 3 companies so far and have another two to meet up with. I'm waiting for quotes (they take a while), I got one quote so far and it's $150k. I actually thought it was going to be around $70k. I've always heard people say it's cheaper to build than buy. Have any of you done a project like this? If so what kind of quotes were you presented with and for what square footage? Or how much do you think something like this should cost?
Curious to hear from others.
Btw for those that followed my post from last year about the vacant lot neighbour/encroachment issue; well he's disappeared. He was supposed to start building 4 months ago. One of the construction companies I met with told me that before he starts building, the county will inform me and the surrounding neighbours and depending on his plans, the neighbours may be allowed to have a say in some of the construction.
70K is not much more than 100/ square foot, which sounds really low for CA. Keep in mind a small house has more exterior than a bigger house, and the (expensive to build) kitchen and bath form a larger fraction of the total.
There's every reason to expect a small house to cost much more per unit area than an larger house (equivalent finishes, etc.).
70K is not much more than 100/ square foot, which sounds really low for CA. Keep in mind a small house has more exterior than a bigger house, and the (expensive to build) kitchen and bath form a larger fraction of the total.
There's every reason to expect a small house to cost much more per unit area than an larger house (equivalent finishes, etc.).
I see.
I don't understand how a small house has more exterior than a bigger house?
The SF cost will be considerably higher than a larger house. You'll need permits, design service, water and sewer, electrical service, maybe gas, kitchen and bath, foundation excavation. The only way to know what the cost will be is to get multiple estimates and review them carefully to make sure they include everything you want.
We stayed in an Airbnb where the owner split the house so she had part of it and rented the rest. The rental had a kitchenette, full bath, separate entrance. It was a great setup for the owner and I'm sure cost a heck of a lot less money, time and aggravation than building an entire guest house.
I'm based in Southern California and I'm looking to build a 600 sq. ft. 1 bedroom apartment in my yard for me to live in so I can rent out my house. I've met with 3 companies so far and have another two to meet up with. I'm waiting for quotes (they take a while), I got one quote so far and it's $150k. I actually thought it was going to be around $70k. I've always heard people say it's cheaper to build than buy. Have any of you done a project like this? If so what kind of quotes were you presented with and for what square footage? Or how much do you think something like this should cost?
It CAN - key word - be cheaper to build from scratch than remodel or add on. You're not starting from scratch. You are basically doing an addition. The most expensive rooms to build are bathrooms and kitchens. You also need utilities and water/sewer lines run. Those cost a small fortune. Permits aren't cheap either.
I'm not surprised by $150K and I don't even live in Cali. We talked about adding on a great room, master suite, kitchen, and 2 car garage....just rough ideas without blueprints were over $250K. I said I could a whole house for that and the builders all said yup and you should consider it! Tying the old in with the new creates a whole new set of issues.
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