ᐅ Single-Family Home Construction: Planning a Granny Flat / Accessory Dwelling Unit for Future Family Expansion?
Created on: 29 Aug 2021 16:35
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marvel-online
I have a general question in the hope that you either completely dismantle the idea or that it might be workable. It’s more of a rough idea than a concrete plan:
We (a couple planning to have children but currently without any) would like to build a single-family house on a relatively large plot of land (1000sqm (10,764 sq ft)). Since we plan to have two children in the future, we would like to design two children's bedrooms accordingly. A home office and possibly a guest room would also be nice to have. A friend who is an architect suggested incorporating a separate apartment within the single-family house.
So we came up with the idea to possibly plan the house with the master bedroom, bathroom, home office, and guest room on the first floor, and to place a separate apartment in the basement with two rooms, a small kitchen, and a bathroom, which could also be rented out. If there is a later need for two children's bedrooms, the separate apartment could be used as the home office and guest room, and the freed-up rooms on the first floor could be used as children’s bedrooms. In the more distant future, the separate apartment could potentially be used again as a separate living unit for teenage/adult children or as an accessible living space for aging occupants.
This way, there would be no unused rooms in the new build, no risk of the house being too small in the long term, and as a side benefit, there might be additional subsidies and, of course, rental income.
Completely crazy idea or possibly reasonable?
We (a couple planning to have children but currently without any) would like to build a single-family house on a relatively large plot of land (1000sqm (10,764 sq ft)). Since we plan to have two children in the future, we would like to design two children's bedrooms accordingly. A home office and possibly a guest room would also be nice to have. A friend who is an architect suggested incorporating a separate apartment within the single-family house.
So we came up with the idea to possibly plan the house with the master bedroom, bathroom, home office, and guest room on the first floor, and to place a separate apartment in the basement with two rooms, a small kitchen, and a bathroom, which could also be rented out. If there is a later need for two children's bedrooms, the separate apartment could be used as the home office and guest room, and the freed-up rooms on the first floor could be used as children’s bedrooms. In the more distant future, the separate apartment could potentially be used again as a separate living unit for teenage/adult children or as an accessible living space for aging occupants.
This way, there would be no unused rooms in the new build, no risk of the house being too small in the long term, and as a side benefit, there might be additional subsidies and, of course, rental income.
Completely crazy idea or possibly reasonable?
It should be obvious that a granny flat involves more than just a kitchen, and unlike regular children's bedrooms, all rooms need to be connected, which limits your floor plan options. But if you think you can get that (almost) "for free," go ahead. I would just like to refer you to the brief and concise reply from @nordanney.
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marvel-online29 Aug 2021 17:30nordanney schrieb:
Completely ridiculous idea. Build the house according to how it will be used. Everything else, in my experience, is pointless.So, having two children’s rooms possibly left empty for years is, in your opinion, more reasonable?
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marvel-online29 Aug 2021 17:50K1300S schrieb:
It should be clear that a separate apartment involves more than just a kitchen, and unlike normal children’s bedrooms, all rooms need to be connected, which limits your floor plan options. But if you think you can get that (almost) “for free,” go ahead. I’ll just refer you to the short and concise response from @nordanney My point is not to simply “give it a try.” However, I feel that my explanation of the planning has not been fully understood, and I haven’t really received a new counter-argument.
Planning is indeed more difficult. But as I said, it concerns the basement level. Therefore, the separation and planning are not necessarily more complicated than without a separate apartment.
And I understand that the kitchen and bathroom add to the cost. But do those costs really outweigh the rental income and additional subsidies?
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nordanney29 Aug 2021 17:54marvel-online schrieb:
So you think having two children’s rooms potentially empty for years makes more sense? marvel-online schrieb:
But do the costs really offset the rental income and additional subsidies? It becomes significantly more expensive. Everything separated—electricity, heating, ventilation, double kitchen. Plus wear and tear and possibly taxes and management costs on the income. Completely separate access as well.
Better to have a flexible house. A better suggestion: a large workroom and guest room, plus a storage room. Later, divide the large room into two children’s rooms and use the storage room as a combined guest/work room.
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marvel-online29 Aug 2021 18:02nordanney schrieb:
It becomes significantly more expensive. Everything separate – electricity, heating, ventilation, double kitchen. Plus additional living expenses and possibly taxes and management costs on the income. Completely separate access.
Better to have a flexible house. A better suggestion: a large workroom and guest room. Plus a “storage room.” Later, the large room can be divided into two children’s rooms, and the storage room used as a combined guest/workroom. That’s much clearer, thanks!
Do you have any rough estimates for the extra costs of electricity, heating, and ventilation? I can calculate bathroom and kitchen myself, but I have no idea about the utility connections. I also like your alternative suggestion!
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