I hear you on the “surprise” costs—my spreadsheet basically became a wish list after demo started. Did you run into any issues with utility hookups? I’m trying to figure out if it’s smarter to tie into the main house lines or go totally separate for a guest house.
“my spreadsheet basically became a wish list after demo started”
Yeah, that’s the story of every remodel, right? On the utilities, I spent way too long weighing the pros and cons. Tying into the main house lines was cheaper upfront, but our plumber warned about future headaches if we ever wanted to rent out the guest house or sell separately. Separate hookups cost more (permits, trenching, etc.), but you get independence and fewer code hassles down the line. If you’re thinking eco-friendly, separate lines also make it easier to track usage and maybe add solar or greywater later. It’s a pain now, but I’m glad I bit the bullet.
You nailed it—my “budget” for the backyard cottage was basically a moving target once I realized how much the little stuff adds up. On utilities, I went the cheap route and tied into the main house. Saved money upfront, but now I’m kicking myself every time we talk about renting it out. If you’re even considering separate use down the road, just budget for separate hookups from day one. It stings now, but future-you will thank you when you’re not digging up your yard twice.
That’s the classic “pay now or pay later” dilemma, right? I remember thinking I was clever running a single water line for our studio—fast forward to last winter, and I’m tracing leaks in the mud at 9pm, flashlight in my teeth. If you’re even half-considering renting or going solar, separate lines and meters are worth every penny. It’s a pain upfront, but it’s way less of a headache than retrofitting after the fact. Funny how the “little stuff” ends up being the big stuff...
That’s the truth—those “little” decisions at the start can haunt you for years if you’re not careful. I learned that the hard way with our 1920s place. When we added a backyard cottage, I figured we’d just tap into the main house’s utilities to save a few bucks. Fast forward to our first winter with guests, and suddenly we’re juggling hot water complaints and tripped breakers every other week. Not fun.
If I could do it over, here’s how I’d break it down:
1. **Separate Utilities**: Like you said, separate water and electric lines (and meters if you can swing it) are worth every bit of hassle upfront. It’s not just about leaks or repairs—if you ever want to rent out the space or go solar, having everything split makes life so much easier. Retrofitting is a nightmare, especially if your yard is already landscaped.
2. **Trenching**: Don’t underestimate how much digging is involved. We tried to save money by hand-digging part of the trench for the new sewer line... never again. If your soil is rocky or full of old roots (ours was both), just budget for a pro with a mini-excavator.
3. **Permits and Codes**: This one snuck up on us. Our city required separate permits for plumbing, electrical, AND gas—even though it was all for one structure. The inspector flagged our shared water line as “non-compliant” for rentals, so we had to redo it anyway.
4. **Future-Proofing**: Even if you’re not planning to rent now, think about what might change in five or ten years. We didn’t plan on adding solar at first, but now I wish we’d run conduit for future panels when everything was open.
5. **Budget Surprises**: No matter how carefully you plan, there will be surprises—old pipes in weird places, tree roots, mystery wires... Set aside at least 10-15% extra for those “what the heck is THAT?” moments.
I get wanting to save money upfront—I really do—but sometimes spending a little more at the start saves a ton of headaches (and late-night mud adventures) down the road. If you’re building something that’ll last decades, it’s worth doing right the first time... even if it stings a bit now.
Funny how hindsight always seems so obvious after you’ve been crawling around in the mud with a flashlight in your mouth...
