We looked at composting toilets too, but honestly, guest houses tend to see visitors who aren't exactly thrilled about "roughing it." If resale or visitor comfort matters, a small septic or sewer hookup usually pays off better in the long run... learned that one the hard way, haha.
"If resale or visitor comfort matters, a small septic or sewer hookup usually pays off better in the long run... learned that one the hard way, haha."
Yeah, totally agree with this. We renovated our historic home a few years back and added a backyard guest house, and trust me, the septic hookup was worth every penny. Composting toilets sound great in theory, but guests—especially older relatives or friends used to city comforts—aren't always thrilled about them.
Cost-wise, here's roughly what you're looking at:
- Basic prefab structure: $15-30k (depending on size and finishes)
- Foundation and site prep: $5-10k
- Plumbing and septic hookup: $8-15k (varies widely by location)
- Electrical work: $2-5k
- Permits and inspections: $1-3k
So realistically, you're probably looking at around $30-60k total for something comfortable and resale-friendly. Prices vary a lot depending on your area and how fancy you go with finishes, but that's a decent ballpark. Hope this helps!
Those numbers seem pretty spot-on from what I've seen. We considered a prefab guest house last year but ended up converting our detached garage instead—saved a bit on foundation costs, thankfully. Curious if anyone else has gone the garage conversion route and how it worked out resale-wise?
"We considered a prefab guest house last year but ended up converting our detached garage instead—saved a bit on foundation costs, thankfully."
Smart move on repurposing the garage—love seeing people get creative with existing spaces. Did something similar a couple years back, turned out cozy and eco-friendly with reclaimed wood and solar panels. As for resale, buyers seemed to appreciate the unique charm and sustainability factor... didn't skyrocket the value, but definitely caught attention and sold quickly. Good luck!
Garage conversions can be a great route, especially if you're looking to keep costs manageable. Did you run into any zoning or permitting headaches? When we did ours, the city had us jumping through hoops for insulation and electrical inspections—felt like they were practically moving in with us at one point, lol.
If anyone else is thinking about going this route, here's a quick rundown of what we learned:
1. Check your local codes first—some places are picky about guest houses vs. accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
2. Insulation matters more than you'd think. We went eco-friendly with recycled denim insulation; easy to install and kept things cozy.
3. Don't skimp on ventilation—garages weren't originally built for living spaces, so moisture buildup can be an issue.
4. Solar panels are awesome if your budget allows, but even just energy-efficient windows and doors make a noticeable difference.
Curious if anyone else has tried alternative insulation or heating methods? Always looking for new ideas to keep things green and comfy without breaking the bank...
