Everything You Need to Know About Mother-in-Law Apartments
When you have older parents coming to live with you, you have to strike a balance between proximity and independence. They should be nearby—that's the point of them moving in—but they also may want to have their own space.
Many older adults don't want to give up the independence they have gained throughout their lives. A sudden lifestyle change like this can be a lot to bear emotionally.
So how do you maintain their independence while keeping them close? Build a mother-in-law apartment. These separate units may be the solution your family needs to ease the transition.
This guide will illustrate everything you need to know about in-law suits, how and where to build them, and design ideas.
What Is A Mother-in-Law Apartment?
When your in-laws come to visit, where did they stay? If they came to live with you, would they enjoy living in that same space? For most homeowners, the answer is no.
Which is where a mother-in-law apartment comes into the picture. But what is a mother-law-apartment? Also called an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), in-law suite or granny flat, these are living quarters where in-laws can reside when they move in with their children.
These apartments include a bedroom, bathroom, living space, and kitchen. What sets them apart from a typical suite is that they have a separate entrance from the main home and are not just additions, they’re fully functional houses.
They can be attached to the main house, converted from a garage, or (most commonly) a detached structure.
An in-law suite is ideal for a living situation in which an older adult would move in with their children but also wants to maintain their independence.
Benefits of an In-Law Apartment
There are a few reasons why an in-law suite will be beneficial to you, your family, and your property. These are only a few of the reasons why people choose to build an in-law suite.
An in-law suite can save money on senior housing. Many communities and apartments directed at seniors can be pricey. However, with an in-law suite, there may be more of an upfront cost, but it’s an investment that retains its value.
Once the suite has been built, you don't have to pay monthly rent or fees like you would at a senior community.
Of course, it's also a benefit to have your aging parents close to you. With an in-law suite, they’re a few steps away. So if they need help with a task or with daily care, you'll be in close proximity.
In-law suites are also great for your overall property value. If you ever sell your home in the future, having a second dwelling can be an incredible bonus to a potential buyer.
Tiny homes are also great for rental income. If the opportunity arises, you can rent out the unit and have some passive money flowing in every month.
You can also use the unit to house older children, a live-in nanny, or as a general guest space.
Drawbacks of an In-Law Apartment
Because adding an in-law apartment is a big decision, it's important to look at this process from both sides. Here are a few drawbacks you may have with building an in-law suite.
Firstly, expect to see a rise in utility costs. Not only will you have utilities for your main home, but for another living structure as well. Energy, water, and HVAC bills are sure to go up with an in-law apartment.
If you don't have family living in the unit—say you rent it out to college students—you may also need an additional policy to protect your home.
Lastly, you're probably going to have to deal with zoning laws. No matter where you live, there are local ordinances about the structure you can and can't have on your property.
To build a legal in-law suite, you will have to consult these regulations to make sure you're building to code. However, if you hire professionals with a specialty in accessory dwelling units, they can handle the complicated specifics.
Where to Build Them and How Much Space Do You Need?
For most in-law suites, you would build the structure in the backyard of your property. The layout of your yard will determine the exact position of where your unit can be.
If you're building, you'll want to keep in mind where your pipes are before you break ground on the unit.
The amount of necessary space differs from unit to unit. It depends on the type of structure, the size, and the space available in your yard. A large, sprawling suburban home will have more space than a home in the middle of the city.
You'll want to check with the requirements set out by the local government about the minimum living area for an accessory dwelling unit. This number will give you a good idea of if you have the room to build an in-law suite.
Cost to Build an In-Law Apartment
There is no one cost to building an in-law apartment or accessory dwelling unit. The final cost will come down to a number of factors and the options you choose.
Start with the place you plan to build the structure. This may include, the cost to file paperwork, requirements of local ordinances, site work, and the cost of labor and materials, These will differ from state to state and city to city. Look for the cost in your area to have a better idea of what the total cost would be.
Another major factor is the size of the dwelling. Larger homes are going to cost more money to build when you factor in labor and materials. Materials you use have a direct effect on the cost. When it comes to building materials, you may not have much of a choice of the wood or drywall needed to build the structure.
But finishing materials like flooring, tile, and countertops can result in higher or lower building costs. Running plumbing and electrical lines to service the home can also send the cost higher.
Finally, the last factor that can affect the cost is the challenges. If you're building on a hillside or a smaller plot of land, that can make the cost rise. You may want to ensure your property will be able to support an in-law apartment.
And, of course, any unforeseen challenges during the building process can make you spend more money than you originally planned.
Who Could Live in an In-Law Apartment?
Though the name suggests that older adults are the ones that live in these backyard homes, they're not the only potential residents. As previously stated, anyone can live in these homes from older children to renters.
These are great options for older or adult children who cannot afford their own place but want independence. They will have a fully functioning home while they save up money for their own apartment or home.
If you're looking to get into investment properties, why not start in your own backyard. You can rent a studio unit out to a college student, young couple, or anyone who's looking for a home
It's great for novice property investors. You won't have to manage multiple properties around the city or in a different town like with a vacation property. For experienced investors, it's an easy addition to an investment portfolio.
You may also choose to downsize your own life and live in the backyard property yourself. Then you could allow your adult children to live in the main home or rent the main home out to renters.
Granny flats or ADUs are versatile and flexible. These structures can be whatever you need them to be for your current situation.
Accessory Dwelling Unit Building Tips
Building any kind of home can be a grueling process. But there are ways to make the process move a little more smoothly. Here are some tips to consider before you start construction.
Get Approved Early
With any major home improvement, you want to start as early as possible. But the process of building an accessory dwelling unit on your property is a lot more complicated than a kitchen remodel.
So if you have a deadline of when your in-laws are going to move in, plan to start months before then.
You'll have to get your project validated, understand your budget, secure financing, and get approval to start the building. For example, dealing with plumbing and sewage lines, or in some cases, septic can be an arduous process in itself. Not to mention structural engineering or energy requirements. Building an ADU isn’t always easy.
Before you break ground, make sure all of your paperwork and plans have been assessed by professionals.
Set a Budget and Try to Stick to It
Building a home—even a smaller one—can quickly add up in price. If cost is a huge factor to you, set a budget early in your building process.
However, no matter how hard you try to stick to the budget, there can be overages if the plan was not thorough. Building projects that are not well planned often have unexpected issues that can make you go over budget.
If you’re concerned about change orders, discoveries, etc.? You can either set aside 10-20% of your budget to cover the unexpected issues that will happen. Or you can add an additional 10-20% of your budget for future incidentals.
Look for Good Contractors
You might be good with a hammer and screwdriver, but you're going to want to leave the building to professionals. Though smaller, these apartments are fully functioning homes.
This means there are electricity, water, and structural integrity standards that must be met for it to be a proper and safe home.
Many contractors could help you with your project. But one that specializes in building backyard homes or accessory dwelling units is the better option.
ADU specialists know the required regulations to create an ADUe in your backyard. Their specialization means they know exactly what needs to be done and can meet your requests.
When searching for contractors, ask if they have proven experience with successful in-law apartment construction. Look at their previous work and explain your project. Together you decide if it's a good match to move forward.
Keep Design in Mind
When it comes to in-law suits and accessory dwelling units, design is a large component. A smaller space means being more clever with your design choices so the home feels cozy but not tight or restricting.
Just because you have a limited amount of interior space, doesn't mean you can't create a stunning home.
You can get creative with storage by having built-in shelves or use stylish room dividers to establish separate rooms without walls. Use round tables to maximize space. And trick the eye to make ceilings seem taller with tile.
An experienced tiny home designer can help you make creative choices to maximize space without sacrificing comfort.
In-Law Apartment Design Ideas
Designing the in-law apartment is one of the more exciting aspects of building a backyard unit. During this stage, you have the opportunity to create a home that meets all of your needs.
Exterior
How the home looks from the outside is completely up to you. Though there would be two separate structures, you don't want either dwelling to look out of place.
So many homeowners choose the smart design to have a facade for the in-law apartment that resembles that of the main home. This doesn't mean the second home has to be a replica. But rather, it can be in the same style or share design elements. For example, the two homes should use a similar color scheme or matching materials. However, if the look of your new backyard home isn't contingent on the main home, you have many more options available. The parents moving in can decide what architectural style they prefer.
Popular styles for in-law homes include cottage, farmhouse, craftsman, and contemporary.
If the two homes are different styles, you can find ways to ensure that they still coordinate with each other by using a similar color scheme and materials.
Kitchen
Every in-law suite has a kitchen.
Making considerations like induction and electric stoves with safety measures can help elderly folks stay safe.
Having two working kitchens in an accessory dwelling unit can be a valuable asset. Not just because of the long term value of having two homes, but also the functionality of two cooking areas for guests, family, and events. A small-scale kitchen or kitchenette is better than having no kitchen at all when it comes to adding value to your home.
If you ever sell the home or decide to rent out the unit in the future, having a full kitchen creates a more favorable option.
These kitchens don't have to be large and sprawling. They can take up one wall to save space and still have all the necessary elements, including storage.
Living Room
The living room will provide your in-laws a place to relax in their new tiny home. Including a living room will greatly increase the feeling of them living within their own home rather than feeling like they're in a spare bedroom.
These rooms don't have to be large. Depending on the floor plan, the living room may be combined with a dining area and the kitchen. An open plan can help make the smaller home feel and appear larger.
Bedroom Suite
Arguably the most important aspect of the in-law suite is the bedroom. Typically these structures have a single bedroom. The layout and size of these rooms are your decision. However, there will probably be requirements you must meet for this to be a legal living structure. This may include the number of windows, including a closet, and ceiling height.
Choosing the elements of the bathroom has more to do with what the resident will need. For older adults, you may want to include a walk-in shower or a bathtub with low sides.
Accessibility
Often with age comes mobility issues. Some older adults use canes, walkers, or wheelchairs to get around. Even if your in-laws don't use these aids, you may still want to consider accessibility.
Features like ramps, wider doorways and hallways, and appliances in close proximity can make living in these homes easier. Use the elements of universal design as a guide of how to include accessibility.
Creating a more accessible home helps aid living independence. Plus, it's better to have it built into the home rather than trying to retrofit the space to be more accessible.
Extras
If you could build your dream home, what would you include? You may want to ask your in-laws to find out what extras they may want in their new tiny home. These bonus features can be anything you can imagine.
Are they into crafting? Maybe add a small room dedicated to their art. Or perhaps they want a place to sit quietly and work; try an office or library.
You may also want to include a porch they can sit and relax on or a garden they can tend to. Incorporate their hobbies and passions to make this new space truly feel like home.
Keep Your Loved Ones Close While Maintaining Independence
As parents age, they may decide to move in with a child. They need help with daily tasks, or they may want to be close to family. Whatever the reason, this lifestyle change will require some navigating.
Parents may not want to give up the independence they have had throughout their adult life despite moving closer to family. But a mother-in-law apartment can be a great way to have proximity and independence.
Allow us to make this life transition easier by building your dream backyard home. Get in touch with our specialists today to discuss your future project. And check out our portfolio of previous client work.
