Living In The Barn?

Knight9 · Mar 28, 2002

Golfgar,

Took a few minutes for me to find another link that I really liked when I was looking at "garage" plans. Take a peek if you get a chance.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.hygexpo.com/archway/plans/garages/index.htm>Archway</A>

Kevin

Golfgar4 · Mar 28, 2002

Kevin,

That's a great site too! Did you build one of these? I've already seen a number that I would be happy with. Just have to make sure the designer in the family would be too /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Thanks again!

Knight9 · Mar 28, 2002

Golfgar,

Did you build one of these? 

Actually I live in one of those counties that deems this as "illegal". The ONLY way I can do this is if I get government certification that we are the "sole-caregivers" of an elderly or handicapped individual who will be living in such quarters. We have a house on the land, but we thought it would be nice to put a loft over the garage for visitors/family etc. No go. I would actually have to subdivide my land which I'm not about to do. Looks like I'll be building a "normal" detached garage to house the tractor/workshop/etc.

Kevin

Golfgar4 · Mar 28, 2002

These regulations that you guys keep mentioning about not being allowed to build these kinds of structures are getting me a liitle worried (and irritated). I don't know if I'll run into the same thing yet, because I'm not even sure what county we're going to end up in. Within a 1 hour drive from our present location, we could be in any one of 6 counties.

But I guess I'm just a little irritated that a guy can't build what he wants on his own property. I know all about the zoning differences and requirements that affect these regulations. And generally speaking, I agree with them. But when a guy has 10 or 20 acres, I find it difficult to accept being told that I can't build something where I want to on my 20 acres!

I will be checking into this very closely! Thanks again for the info.

Knight9 · Mar 28, 2002

But when a guy has 10 or 20 acres, I find it difficult to accept being told that I can't build something where I want to on my 20 acres! 

Actually in my area the magic cutoff is 40 acres. If you have 40 acres you can have "multiple dwellings" and put up a loft or a mobile or whatever you want. On my 10 acres they can dictate what I can/can't build. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
Kevin

Drago · Mar 28, 2002

This is exactly what we did...with one exception, we lived in a 30' camper for 7 months while we built the "barn house" (as we call it). Our barn is only 24x30 which equates to one bedroom, a bathroom, kitchen and living-room area combined on the second floor. Our laundry area and a small office are on the first floor.

Since we are doing most of the work ourselves, our biggest challenge was having a "master" plan and patience. From the beginning, we had to insure our septic system was sized for both structures, our electrical supply from the utility company would power both structures, etc. In our situation, things move slow. Right now, we are working on our "big" house. Sometimes it's difficult to imagine the finished product but realize you still have a lot of work to do.

Just make sure the wife buys into the plan and you'll be fine. Good luck.

Golfgar4 · Mar 28, 2002

"Just make sure the wife buys into the plan and you'll be fine.

I don't have to get her to buy into the plan - it was her idea to begin with! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

We're willing to be somewhat flexible when it comes to how we actually work this out, but I don't think using your approach of living in a 30' camper would qualify as being flexible enough /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif!

It is nice to know that there are others that have gone before us and made it work. There's hope yet! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Gatorboy · Mar 29, 2002

A guy who lives about 1/2 mile from my property built a 4-car garage with living quarters over it. His intention is to build his "real" home in the future, but for now, is happy as a "monkey eating a cupcake" to be living on his land for a reasonable cost.

A picture of it can be seen <A target="_blank" HREF=http://pbase.com/image/1510648>here</A>.

It is very plain and simple -- and I mean "very". It cost him $60,000 to build. He has no furnace, or A/C. He uses a wood stove for heat in the winter. I have not seen the inside, but he said he put in the absolute minimum to make it liveable, and upgrades over time.

I am seriously considering doing something very similar -- however, I would like to make the "barn/garage/house", alittle more appealing visually, (higher pitched roof, dormers, etc.) so that when I add on the "real house", this initial building will look like a nice detached garage that was all built at the same time.

Golfgar4 · Mar 29, 2002

You're right, his building is pretty straight forward, isn't it? But he accomplished his goal for a very reasonable amount of money, so I don't think he can complain /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

I agree with you, though. We are planning to have all of the buildings in The Compound of the same style/design. I am planning on building the lower portion "bare bones" and then improving as I go along to save a little money in the beginning, but the rest will be pretty much finished completely.