ᐅ Question about converting a single-family house into a two-family house
Created on: 10 Jul 2016 11:46
P
Pennraugion
Hello everyone!
I’d like to start right away with a question.
My wife and I (29 & 31 years old, currently one child, second on the way) are planning to expand her parents’ house.
On the west side of the house, there is currently a passageway (with a pellet tank) followed by the garage. Everything is covered, of course. On top of the garage/passageway, there is currently a solar system for hot water.
The plan is to add a double garage, so that additional living space can be created above the garage and passageway.
Her parents would live on the ground floor, while the entire upper floor would be available for us.
The upper floor has 3 rooms including a bathroom and toilet, with dimensions of about 8 m x 8 m (26 ft x 26 ft).
On the west side, there is a window in the hallway which is planned to be opened up, creating a passage to the “new” area.
The new area would currently have external dimensions of 13 m x 6 m (43 ft x 20 ft) or alternatively 13 m x 7 m (43 ft x 23 ft).
This space will include another bedroom, a combined living/kitchen area, and a small storage room.
The entrance on the ground floor is currently also on the west side. Our entrance would be located on the north side, likely via a staircase.
This way, the upper floor would offer approximately 120 to 130 square meters (1300 to 1400 square feet) of living space.
We want to build the double garage as a solid (masonry) structure.
Now we are wondering whether the upper floor should be built as a solid structure or as a timber frame construction.
What would be the advantages of each? Are there, for example, cost differences?
We have not obtained any quotes or similar information yet. We also still need to clarify a possible property extension, which would be possible to the north and west.
If you need me to describe anything in more detail, I’m happy to answer any questions.
I’d like to start right away with a question.
My wife and I (29 & 31 years old, currently one child, second on the way) are planning to expand her parents’ house.
On the west side of the house, there is currently a passageway (with a pellet tank) followed by the garage. Everything is covered, of course. On top of the garage/passageway, there is currently a solar system for hot water.
The plan is to add a double garage, so that additional living space can be created above the garage and passageway.
Her parents would live on the ground floor, while the entire upper floor would be available for us.
The upper floor has 3 rooms including a bathroom and toilet, with dimensions of about 8 m x 8 m (26 ft x 26 ft).
On the west side, there is a window in the hallway which is planned to be opened up, creating a passage to the “new” area.
The new area would currently have external dimensions of 13 m x 6 m (43 ft x 20 ft) or alternatively 13 m x 7 m (43 ft x 23 ft).
This space will include another bedroom, a combined living/kitchen area, and a small storage room.
The entrance on the ground floor is currently also on the west side. Our entrance would be located on the north side, likely via a staircase.
This way, the upper floor would offer approximately 120 to 130 square meters (1300 to 1400 square feet) of living space.
We want to build the double garage as a solid (masonry) structure.
Now we are wondering whether the upper floor should be built as a solid structure or as a timber frame construction.
What would be the advantages of each? Are there, for example, cost differences?
We have not obtained any quotes or similar information yet. We also still need to clarify a possible property extension, which would be possible to the north and west.
If you need me to describe anything in more detail, I’m happy to answer any questions.
Pennraugion12 Aug 2016 16:19The extension has been approved by the building authority.
Pennraugion20 Sep 2016 16:02So... the past few weeks have been a bit stressful.
We have gathered several quotes (general contractor, plumber, electrician, windows, etc.).
Attached is a screenshot of the current rough plan of what we want (red = new build, white = existing building).
We will handle the entrance area ourselves. It will be on the north side near the staircase (landing with stairs).
The attic of the new build is planned to be connected and usable with the old building.
Tomorrow we have an appointment to discuss a general contractor’s offer.
After that, we will decide relatively quickly who we want to build with.
We are currently leaning strongly towards a solid wood construction (not timber frame).
At the moment, the costs look approximately as follows:
Electrician 10k
Plumber 16k (including solar, new piping for the old section, and a new boiler)
2x Bathrooms (complete renovation of the upper floor and a new “bathroom” - cough - on the ground floor instead of pantry/partial wardrobe) 12k
Solid wood construction with garage (garage will be either brick or wood), roof structure, and foundation slab about 100k
Windows & doors approximately 10k
That’s roughly 150k so far.
There are still various smaller additional costs missing, as well as external and internal plastering, flooring, possible renovations on the upper floor (flooring, door frames, and doors), excavation work, driveway paving, plot expansion (~200 m² (2150 sq ft)), etc.
Overall, the house is otherwise in very good condition (thanks to the retired master carpenter and passionate craftsman).
All windows in the existing building are new (2 years old), the heating is 4 years old and sized for the intended building size.
I’m curious what other costs will come up. 😀
Somehow I have the feeling that we will probably exceed our self-imposed budget (~250k).
We have gathered several quotes (general contractor, plumber, electrician, windows, etc.).
Attached is a screenshot of the current rough plan of what we want (red = new build, white = existing building).
We will handle the entrance area ourselves. It will be on the north side near the staircase (landing with stairs).
The attic of the new build is planned to be connected and usable with the old building.
Tomorrow we have an appointment to discuss a general contractor’s offer.
After that, we will decide relatively quickly who we want to build with.
We are currently leaning strongly towards a solid wood construction (not timber frame).
At the moment, the costs look approximately as follows:
Electrician 10k
Plumber 16k (including solar, new piping for the old section, and a new boiler)
2x Bathrooms (complete renovation of the upper floor and a new “bathroom” - cough - on the ground floor instead of pantry/partial wardrobe) 12k
Solid wood construction with garage (garage will be either brick or wood), roof structure, and foundation slab about 100k
Windows & doors approximately 10k
That’s roughly 150k so far.
There are still various smaller additional costs missing, as well as external and internal plastering, flooring, possible renovations on the upper floor (flooring, door frames, and doors), excavation work, driveway paving, plot expansion (~200 m² (2150 sq ft)), etc.
Overall, the house is otherwise in very good condition (thanks to the retired master carpenter and passionate craftsman).
All windows in the existing building are new (2 years old), the heating is 4 years old and sized for the intended building size.
I’m curious what other costs will come up. 😀
Somehow I have the feeling that we will probably exceed our self-imposed budget (~250k).
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