i have a small home here in san jose,ca my parents would like to move in, is it cheaper go up and add rooms or add a small house in the back yard. we have a .24 acre lot. and the front house is very small. my roof is about 10 years old..thanks in advance.
2007-01-02 05:08:52 · 7 answers · asked by honeystrawdewberry 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
wow great answers so far a lot i didn't consider thanks for your thoughts. either way i do have to do my house because since it was built in (1950) it hasn't had any repairs. we have no insulation, old electrical and there is mold growing on the walls. also we have two bedrooms and there are the two of us and our three small kids. so we have to tear down the inside walls of our house to get the insulation in and re do the electrical wiring. so that's where i'm lost on how to add my parents space.. i need them to help me really bad so i do what them to live with us but i also have to consider the price. but like everyone said though privacy is a big deal and i don't always get along with my mom. i believe going out is best. thanks for your best wishes..
2007-01-02 05:29:34 · update #1
Hi! I know the feeling:) My husband told me it is easier to go out instead of up. If you go up you have to redo the roof; if you go out you just add more roof to what is already there. Hope it goes well for you:)
2007-01-02 05:17:35 · answer #1 · answered by danielleyoung1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like alot of expense either way, but I would say your lot isn't really large enough to hold two homes. Because of the age of your home and the repairs you said need to be made to the wiring and etc., have you considered tearing it down and building a new one, maybe even a pre-fab. one? If you don't think this is an option, i would check with your building codes and maybe see about digging a new basement and putting one or two rooms on top of this. This way your children would have extra space down to play. I don't know, maybe basements aren't good in San Jose, if not, I would add at least two more bedrooms as you will be busting at the seams. You might be able to add a family room and possibly put a second story on it with two bedrooms and a bath. Depends on sewer and septic, if there is one, connections too.
2007-01-02 06:43:37 · answer #2 · answered by roncarolhillsstupid 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When considering to go up, remember that the foundation of the house needs to be able to support the extra weight.
Personally, I'd do a small bungalow in the back yard. That way, my parents would still have their own space and could "get away" and so could I! (I love my parents, but there is too much of a good thing.) Good luck!
2007-01-02 05:18:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1st better go to the Governing board of your area in other words the Subdivision Or city and see what you can and can't do 1st before making any plan's. There may be restrictions as if you can go up or back or to the sides with set backs and more...
Depending on your needs a single story leaves for less noise and more privacy if your putting a room or so to the back but going up could cost some less yet steps can be burdensome even for those in good health.
2007-01-02 05:20:27 · answer #4 · answered by Scott 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You may want to check you local building codes on what can be done. Some places only allow a certain percentage of the lot to be built on so you would be stuck building up.
I don't know the ages of your parents but if they are elderly having to go up stairs is probably not a good thing.
2007-01-02 05:22:35 · answer #5 · answered by Aviator1013 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I'm not sure I would want to live with my parents, but anyway...
They aren't going to want to climb stairs for ever, so consider that they will have to live at ground level.
I would think its cheaper to build another building rather than reinforce an existing structure.
You also have to think about resale value. I would rather have either a 2-floor house or a separate rental apartment, NOT an apartment over my head.
2007-01-02 05:20:45 · answer #6 · answered by Neebler 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Privacy-wise...It might be better to add on in the back....
...IF you decide to add a 2nd floor.... consider your parents health... are your parents both capable of climbing stairs several times a day?
Cost-wise it may be a tossup....also consider zoning issues regarding building too close to property lines....and the needed variances. Is your lot restricted to ONE building?
Good luck with the project.
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2007-01-02 05:20:21 · answer #7 · answered by Joey Bagadonuts 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋