Introduction and Question on multiple structures on a single lot

Started by BabbBosma1, September 25, 2014, 08:11:24 PM

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BabbBosma1

Hey Country Plans!

My wife and I have lurked on the forums for a little while and absolutely love all the ideas and projects going on. It is very inspiring and we have a rough plan of what we would like to do. We wanted to ask for some feedback from those that have gone before and have lessons learned that might be shared.

We moved to western Washington late last year after moving for a job and currently rent a home in Snohomish County. We really like the area and do not mind the commute down into Redmond where we work. The market here right now is just crazy with prices for homes. We are total newbies at doing anything like this, but my father is a general contractor and before I started my career I grew up helping him on odd jobs. He has offered to come spend 3-4 months with us to help do the build, but we need to figure out a lot of things first.

Our main idea was that we could purchase the plan option for the "20' wide 1-1/2 story cottage" and modify that some to build a smaller home we could move into. This is something that appeals to us since we get to work on a project together and downsize our lives at the same time. Our longer range goals were to build as a place to live in short term (3-5 years) while we save and design a larger home. We would look to purchase some land that is 5-10 acres and build a workshop + small cottage. Then later build a larger home on the property. We both plan on taking care of our parents and having that smaller home as "mother-in-law" apartment / house would be beneficial.

My main question is has anyone done something along those lines? First built something from Country Plans and then later built a larger home on the same lot? I know Snohomish County has structures they call "Detached Accessory Dwellings" and they need to be min 260 sqft and max 860 sqft (exclusive of porches, garages, etc). I plan on calling the city but I sure would like some feedback from folks that might be in WA State or just have some general experience.

Thank you and we look forward to reading up on all the current projects and questions on the forum!

MushCreek

We went in a different direction, building a barn (which we needed anyway), then using that as a base of operations while I built the house. It has come in handy, as we sold our old house, so we are storing all of our stuff in the barn while we build the house. The biggest down side has been trying to keep warm (and cool) during extreme weather. We were allowed to tie the barn and house to the same septic system. Since you have future need for the small house, your plan makes good sense.

As for the legalities, the only people that can tell you for sure is your local building department. Our area in South Carolina is pretty light on regulations.
Jay

I'm not poor- I'm financially underpowered.


rick91351

We were going to try the same thing ended up using a fifthwheel to build out of.  That was the main reason also I found this forum.  Looking for that small house or cabin to build and live in while we built our retirement dream home.

Ours however had a interesting side exit.  We were going to build then I decided that we're going to buy a modular house.  Like a double wide and only built to IRC standards.  Sits on a real foundation not jacks and looks like the real thing.   Just a great way to go for us.  Instant house and I do not stay on task well we both know that.  So yep lets do it.  We put a small down on it $2000.  Then there is a problem I discover.....  They can not get it over the road as a double wide.  We have to redesign - basically  the old bait and switch.  So now it is going to triple wide modular whole new set of floor plans and pricing.  Long story short we lost $2000 there because the fine print.           

When we started budgeting the house all out it seemed sort of strange this little house or guest home was going to cost as much as it was.  At that time I did not realize how much time it was going to take.  The old stock standard answer of well it will take longer than you plan or imagine applies in spades for a Do It Yourselfer.  Doing the small house then the large one for us would have meant basically turning over the keys of the new small house to the wife and busting ground for the main dwelling.  And no place to get a breath in between.  Not sure if I have it in me to do it -  on top of that.  Hey I am retired now I'm building houses......  One has been great and fun - really enjoy it.  But there has been no fishing, no hunting.  No trips not even a day trip.  Pretty much have told the kids we are not doing grandkids while this is going on.     

This build has been part of our lives for years and years.  Basically we have been going to do it all our lives like forty years ago come up here and live.....  We have had a septic in for a long time.  Power run and a well drilled.  We built or I hired a large shop several years ago - I helped.  Right now the shop is a large storage unit for a lot of our household goods.

When we retired we bought a pretty nice six or eight year old fifthwheel camper well kept after we sold our house in the valley.  This however is one reason we are working so dog gone hard to get the house finished like we are.  The fifthwheel is not the best long term solution and is not the most comfortable to live in.  But it can be done.  Long relaxing showers and comfortable places to relax in the low temps of winter time are not there.  Mold grows where it is not suppose to and stuff like that.  We built a deck and summer time we expanded to that a lot the first year.  This last year is work on the house.  24/7

However the biggest reason I am glad we did not do the small home then the larger one is...................  TIME.  Time we would have burned up building the small house has been tossed into the large house.  Further I now look at usage of the small house after we are finished with the big house.  Why have the overhead for a guest house and taxes and insurance.  And something else for the wife to keep clean.  Just so our kids can come up and spend the weekend now and then and it sits 95% of the time.  Now looking at the practicality of it all I really do not think it a good idea where I thought it to be a great idea.

We are just a little over a year and have our place about done here.  I am about to finish it all out and it is a dream come true.  As I say I am not a person that stays on task well - this project has not been that way.  I am at it from morning to late evening 9:00 - 10:00 some times later 12:00 to 1:00 every day.  Well five to six days a week a few sevens.  Sundays mostly were church then a lite day of cleaning - picking up - wondering and dreaming.  Now church and back at it.  Why?  Simple the fifthwheel camper we do not want to spend another winter in it.  With the small house I am afraid we would just hunker down and if the big house get worked on so be it but for the most part.  If it don't have to happen it wont.....


Proverbs 24:3-5 Through wisdom is an house builded; an by understanding it is established.  4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.  5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.