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Casita Build Cost

OldSchoolBoats

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So the houses of Havasu thread got me thinking about building a casita at my Havasu house as we have plenty of room on our property for one.

I know that prices right now are ridiculous, so it wouldn't be something I would look to do right away, but definitely would like to consider it. So what would the ball park cost be for a 450 - 600 square foot casita with kitchen, small living room, 1 bed and 1 bath run??
 

ONE-A-DAY

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Ours was 800 square feet, one big bedroom with two queen beds and then another bedroom in the back that was only accessed from outside that was my office, mini kitchen, no stove, etc.. Quote was 141k, didnt include kitchen or bathroom granite counter top since we have a friend in that business. It was 150k by the time we were done.
 

ONE-A-DAY

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Ours was 800 square feet that we built two years ago, one big bedroom with two queen beds and then another bedroom in the back that was only accessed from outside that was my office, mini kitchen, no stove, etc.. Quote was 141k, didnt include kitchen or bathroom granite counter top since we have a friend in that business. It was 150k by the time we were done.

The roof was a big expense, imported real tile and triple stack pattern.
I would say it would be 200k today.
 

LargeOrangeFont

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Buy a knew house with one.

Alternatively you could likely do a Tough Shed prefabbed structure as a “studio” for less than half that figure.
 

OldSchoolBoats

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I would say it would be 200k today.

Damn! That is a lot more than I was thinking....YIKES!

Might have to go back to my original idea of doing an addition to add a 4th bedroom and bath (2nd master)
 
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Done-it-again

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Some friend of ours is building one in CA and its was around $250-275sq ft about 500 sq ft. as a pool house/office.
 
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02HoWaRd26

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Cookie cutter homes are going for 200$ a sqft on your level lot. So I’d imagine 200-225$ a foot would be a good ball park, but wait another year things may not crash but it’s already evident things are calming.
 

ONE-A-DAY

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Cookie cutter homes are going for 200$ a sqft on your level lot. So I’d imagine 200-225$ a foot would be a good ball park, but wait another year things may not crash but it’s already evident things are calming.
And close to $500 in some spots.
 

02HoWaRd26

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And close to $500 in some spots.
Yea well you do things extreme it seems, always on the one up or being a Jones, in a regular residential neighborhood and to match an existing i cannot imagine it being that much greater than 250$ but I’m sure as soon as the pressure comes off some of these builders 200-225$ will be absolutely feasible. To do right here right now sure maybe reach the 500$ a foot but again you’re cooler than the rest of us!
 

NicPaus

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$250 a foot is avg for a ADU here not including running utilities, like sewer main, electric and water. Meeting with ADU specialist Tuesday. Have several projects in the works with her. This one will be more as it will be set into side of hill. South Torrance and homes are selling over $1000 a sq ft and a 1 bedroom will rent for $2200.
 

ONE-A-DAY

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Yea well you do things extreme it seems, always on the one up or being a Jones, in a regular residential neighborhood and to match an existing i cannot imagine it being that much greater than 250$ but I’m sure as soon as the pressure comes off some of these builders 200-225$ will be absolutely feasible. To do right here right now sure maybe reach the 500$ a foot but again you’re cooler than the rest of us!
Thank you.
 

Bigbore500r

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Cookie cutter homes are going for 200$ a sqft on your level lot. So I’d imagine 200-225$ a foot would be a good ball park, but wait another year things may not crash but it’s already evident things are calming.
Theres a break point where the price per sqft goes up as there isn't as much volume to build out, but same permits, etc. Price per sqft starts dropping when you get bigger and more consistent, especially with a "white boxed" home with low level finishes and options.
 

TeamGreene

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200k is about right we are doing one right now in Apple Valley
Theres a break point where the price per sqft goes up as there isn't as much volume to build out, but same permits, etc. Price per sqft starts dropping when you get bigger and more consistent, especially with a "white boxed" home with low level finishes and options.
This is exactly the case
 

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RiverDave

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Damn! That is a lot more than I was thinking....YIKES!

Might have to go back to my original idea of doing an addition to add a 4th bedroom and bath (2nd master)

Two years ago we came up with the idea of moving two walls out to expand our master and bathroom.. We were gonna add a room off the master for a casita. I figured it would be a 100k.. It took us awhile to get the plans done the way we want.. I figured ok prices went up… maybe 125? Took awhile to pull the permits. By the time we were ready to pull the trigger the price came in at 192k. No granite, no paint, no floors as we were bringing all that. 👀
 

SoCalDave

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In So Cal I'm thinking retail is around $500 sqft. Not sure what it would be in Havasu.
 

Bigbore500r

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Two years ago we came up with the idea of moving two walls out to expand our master and bathroom.. We were gonna add a room off the master for a casita. I figured it would be a 100k.. It took us awhile to get the plans done the way we want.. I figured ok prices went up… maybe 125? Took awhile to pull the permits. By the time we were ready to pull the trigger the price came in at 192k. No granite, no paint, no floors as we were bringing all that. 👀
Did you go into the process as "john doe", or did you roll up in the F350 Platinum with ball chillers blasting as River Fuckin Dave?
 

Englewood

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And people think Realtors make too much. $500/ft they are out of their god damn mind.
 

franky

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And people think Realtors make too much. $500/ft they are out of their god damn mind.
They do, think about it. Today they spend one day on the sale, the price is up 50% but they still get the same percentage…….
 

Subadvantage

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Buy a knew house with one.

Alternatively you could likely do a Tough Shed prefabbed structure as a “studio” for less than half that figure.

THIS!

We purchased a 500 sf Tough Shed at work last year for $18,000, essentially built to our specs (doors, windows), to house some of our water treatment equipment at work. The cost included delivery to the site and placed on the slab. Took roughly another $40k to erect a couple of walls inside for a restroom and office, run plumbing and electrical, ventilation, insulate and drywall, and paint, outside stucco. Had a separate crew pour the slab and rough in utilities. Cost was about half of what we estimated for site built construction.
 

mesquito_creek

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Hopefully whatever is built meets the definition of casita equals you paid cash for the construction. Otherwise, that 200k getting baked into a refi mortgage equals about 315k in payments without considering additional taxes, insurance etc… I would pick up the tab for a hotel and Uber and be miles ahead!

Having said that, I built about 3 Casitas 4 or 5 years ago for about 50k each. They were 1 bedroom studios with a bath and kitchenette (no stove), with dorm fridges. These casitas in this thread are small homes!
 

HB2Havasu

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Damn! That is a lot more than I was thinking....YIKES!

Might have to go back to my original idea of doing an addition to add a 4th bedroom and bath (2nd master)
It would probably be cheaper to buy an existing larger house today than doing any kind of construction. Your probably looking at $275/$300 per square foot with today’s material prices.
 

OldSchoolBoats

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It would probably be cheaper to buy an existing larger house today than doing any kind of construction. Your probably looking at $275/$300 per square foot with today’s material prices.
I just don't want to sell though. Our mortgage is small and payment is cheap. Probably just going to convert our dining area (that we never use) into a game area for the kids and put 2 pull out sofa beds in there. Just need some more sleeping space.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 

mesquito_creek

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Another way to keep cost down is to permit as a utility building and enhance its interior performance later after the final.....
 

Singleton

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I just don't want to sell though. Our mortgage is small and payment is cheap. Probably just going to convert our dining area (that we never use) into a game area for the kids and put 2 pull out sofa beds in there. Just need some more sleeping space.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

what about your garage, can you build out a small room and bath in that
 

2FORCEFULL

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I just don't want to sell though. Our mortgage is small and payment is cheap. Probably just going to convert our dining area (that we never use) into a game area for the kids and put 2 pull out sofa beds in there. Just need some more sleeping space.

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if your talking about the cowboy house... I had a plan to put a pool between the garage and the house,... then I was gonna mow down the dinning room, and put back up a loft master and another bath... you can go to 5' off the chain link and make the addition attach the house, and a breeze way between the garage and house. the loft would have a bath w/ shower toilet and sink, under the loft would be a dinning area and you would have a family room / game room... the new entry would have a 14' high + - ceiling..... but,, with the cost to build and keep dumping money, it was more cost affective to just leave it and build a new house... that's why I built the sabino home.... that home was 259k turn key, on my level lot... if I was you.... being you do so good with the rental deal,... I would keep my eye out for another property,... and most likely try to snatch up a duplex .. one with boat parking or garages... the ROI putting more money in that place would not pencil
 

Englewood

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“Listed and sold in one day!”

Your lack of knowledge is really starting to show. You should sell your own house and don't use any agents. It will work out great for you! 😂
 

ONE-A-DAY

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This was the 140k one we did behind our pool.....820 square feet

Screen Shot 2021-07-30 at 1.51.02 PM.png
 

Singleton

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Yea well you do things extreme it seems, always on the one up or being a Jones, in a regular residential neighborhood and to match an existing i cannot imagine it being that much greater than 250$ but I’m sure as soon as the pressure comes off some of these builders 200-225$ will be absolutely feasible. To do right here right now sure maybe reach the 500$ a foot but again you’re cooler than the rest of us!

But he gets it all back plus more when Mrs @ONE-A-DAY wants a new house project.
I follow the theory on home remodels, build it so you enjoy it and hopefully break even or make some $$ when you sell. Up nest is our kitchen opening to an outdoor covered kitchen and entertaining area. Costs are nuts! Before we start that, have to decide if we are leaving CA or staying until daughter is out of HS!
 

franky

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Your lack of knowledge is really starting to show. You should sell your own house and don't use any agents. It will work out great for you! 😂
You have no idea of my knowledge level so FO. You must be one of them, but a fringe dweller, always trying to justify yourself. I am related to a realtor and also have done over 100 transaction in the last 20 years. She is a working realtor who usually ends up doing the other sides job too. I see it from both sides and know exactly how things work. And I am doing just fine so once again, FO.
 

grumpy88

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Are addition cost roughly the same as these " casita " cost ? I was thinking of putting in a new master bedroom but not above 185 ,200 a sq ft
 
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