ᐅ Single-family home with a separate basement or in-law apartment – looking for ideas
Created on: 28 Oct 2018 17:12
V
Vetti007Hello,
I have been reading through this forum for a few days now and already want to thank you for the many ideas I’ve picked up just by browsing.
We (my self-employed husband, our young daughter, and I) are planning to build a house in the not-too-distant future (we have almost completely moved away from the original idea of buying a house). However, we don’t have a building plot yet.
Since we will most likely at some point take my brother-in-law in (he is not in need of care, but cannot live completely independently), and I still want to keep a private area for our small family, I currently have these two ideas:
1. A single-family house with about 130-140 m² (1400-1500 sq ft) for us plus an approximately 45 m² (480 sq ft) granny flat that could be rented out until my brother-in-law moves in. If it turns out that he doesn’t need to move in, the rental income from this granny flat could serve as retirement savings or be passed on to our daughter, etc.
2. A single-family house with approximately 180-190 m² (1900-2050 sq ft) of living space, including a decent guest room with a shower bathroom on the ground floor (which would later become my brother-in-law’s room). We would still have a private area upstairs with a full bathroom, bedroom, children’s room, study (which is essential due to my husband’s self-employment), and another guest room (we live far from family and receive 3-4 visitors several times a year). The kitchen, utility room, and living room would, of course, be shared with my brother-in-law, but the upper floor would be our “private area.” If my brother-in-law never moves in, this house would probably be larger than we actually need. But I don’t want to end up in a situation where we can’t keep “our house” because we don’t have room for him if he needs to come.
I have a floor plan for a single-family home with a granny flat on the ground floor. The main living area extends over the rest of the ground floor and the entire upper floor. The granny flat and the upper floor have a good layout, but in our part of the house on the ground floor there would essentially be only a kitchen with a sofa besides the utility room. I don’t want to feel that cramped when sharing the house with strangers in the granny flat. That’s why I’m looking for ideas and floor plans. Do you have any? Maybe I’m missing the forest for the trees... ;-)
Best regards – Vetti
I have been reading through this forum for a few days now and already want to thank you for the many ideas I’ve picked up just by browsing.
We (my self-employed husband, our young daughter, and I) are planning to build a house in the not-too-distant future (we have almost completely moved away from the original idea of buying a house). However, we don’t have a building plot yet.
Since we will most likely at some point take my brother-in-law in (he is not in need of care, but cannot live completely independently), and I still want to keep a private area for our small family, I currently have these two ideas:
1. A single-family house with about 130-140 m² (1400-1500 sq ft) for us plus an approximately 45 m² (480 sq ft) granny flat that could be rented out until my brother-in-law moves in. If it turns out that he doesn’t need to move in, the rental income from this granny flat could serve as retirement savings or be passed on to our daughter, etc.
2. A single-family house with approximately 180-190 m² (1900-2050 sq ft) of living space, including a decent guest room with a shower bathroom on the ground floor (which would later become my brother-in-law’s room). We would still have a private area upstairs with a full bathroom, bedroom, children’s room, study (which is essential due to my husband’s self-employment), and another guest room (we live far from family and receive 3-4 visitors several times a year). The kitchen, utility room, and living room would, of course, be shared with my brother-in-law, but the upper floor would be our “private area.” If my brother-in-law never moves in, this house would probably be larger than we actually need. But I don’t want to end up in a situation where we can’t keep “our house” because we don’t have room for him if he needs to come.
I have a floor plan for a single-family home with a granny flat on the ground floor. The main living area extends over the rest of the ground floor and the entire upper floor. The granny flat and the upper floor have a good layout, but in our part of the house on the ground floor there would essentially be only a kitchen with a sofa besides the utility room. I don’t want to feel that cramped when sharing the house with strangers in the granny flat. That’s why I’m looking for ideas and floor plans. Do you have any? Maybe I’m missing the forest for the trees... ;-)
Best regards – Vetti
As YPG mentioned, building without owning land doesn’t make sense. Until you have a plot, request catalogs from construction companies and visit show homes. Arrange floor plans.
The better you understand your needs, the easier it will be for you.
Personally, a separate apartment to rent out would not work for me.
You might be allowed to build with a gable roof, which could provide space to expand later, so you could plan a bit smaller now.
A guest room or office with a bathroom on the ground floor that could later be used by your brother-in-law, with the option to finish the corresponding room in the attic if needed.
The better you understand your needs, the easier it will be for you.
Personally, a separate apartment to rent out would not work for me.
You might be allowed to build with a gable roof, which could provide space to expand later, so you could plan a bit smaller now.
A guest room or office with a bathroom on the ground floor that could later be used by your brother-in-law, with the option to finish the corresponding room in the attic if needed.
Thank you for the quick response.
I understand that already. There are various plots available here (in rural areas), but even when deciding which plot to choose, I would already need a rough idea. For example, a one-and-a-half-story single-family house requires less land area than a bungalow with the same living space.
That’s why I was hoping to get some ideas or suggestions here.
I understand that already. There are various plots available here (in rural areas), but even when deciding which plot to choose, I would already need a rough idea. For example, a one-and-a-half-story single-family house requires less land area than a bungalow with the same living space.
That’s why I was hoping to get some ideas or suggestions here.
No, if I concentrate for a few hours, then not on blue.
Otherwise, look into generational houses… many companies offer something like that.
Bungalows are generally more expensive anyway…
Check the building plots including the planning permission / building permit and see if there are too many restrictions or roughly 200sqm (2150 sq ft) allowed for building the house. It will also state whether a granny flat / auxiliary dwelling unit is permitted.
One- or two-story makes a huge difference in planning.
Otherwise, look into generational houses… many companies offer something like that.
Bungalows are generally more expensive anyway…
Check the building plots including the planning permission / building permit and see if there are too many restrictions or roughly 200sqm (2150 sq ft) allowed for building the house. It will also state whether a granny flat / auxiliary dwelling unit is permitted.
One- or two-story makes a huge difference in planning.