San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Should you build a mother-in-law suite – or buy a home with one?
One question home buyers may encounter in their search for a home – or homeowners may encounter when renovating – is whether to include a “mother-in-law suite” in their purchasing or renovation plans.
A mother-in-law suite is an apartment adjacent to a home, in some cases detached, in others attached. Some are separate guest houses, while others are finished basements, attics, or other portions of a home that feature a separate entrance from the main home. Generally, they include a bedroom, bathroom, living area, and small kitchen or kitchenette, and are roughly 1,000 square feet – or even smaller.
Often, mother-in-law suites are used to provide an autonomous space for elderly relatives, adult children, or any relative who may want a caretaker or parent close at hand. When it includes its own kitchen or bathroom, it can provide a convenient space for guests or renters. And, of course, it can furnish extra storage space for you and your family if you feel your home is bursting at the seams with years of accumulated items.
There are many perks of having a mother-in-law suite, whether it’s attached or detached. One is that such a housing arrangement can be far more economical than paying for a nursing home or longterm care facility for a family member in need of caretaking, while still enabling them to live on their own if that is their preference.
In fact, the data shows that such an arrangement is more common than ever, with Pew Research Center noting in 2019 that 20 percent of Americans are living with more than one adult generation within their home. A survey by John Burns Real Estate Consulting also found that more than 40 percent of home buyers, when making their purchase, are thinking about furnishing a space for an adult child or an older relative.
But even if you have no relatives you plan to move in with, a mother-inlaw suite can be beneficial if you plan to host a long-term nanny or childcare professional. That way, they can have their own space to retreat to without feeling like they must share with the host family at all times.
Hosting guests, too, can be an easier process when you have a mother-in-law suite, and can protect your privacy as well as that of your guests. Or, if you’re looking to generate some additional income on the side, it can be a useful addition to your home if you look into renting out the suite.
If building a mother in-law-suite as an addition to an existing home, you may have to check with city regulations or homeowner’s association rules to ensure that your additional unit is compliant. It may be easier – and cheaper – to renovate an existing space, such as a garage, an attic, or a basement.
Certainly such a suite also requires more by way of taking care of wearand-tear and upkeep. Having to clean, vacuum, and generally care for an entirely separate living space (if not rented out), can be onerous and some homeowners may not feel up to the task.
Cost, too, can be prohibitive – for instance the cost of building one, if your home did not come with a mother-in-law suite, can cost anywhere from $40,000 to $125,000. There are also potentially steep insurance costs to consider if your policy does not cover additional living units. Moreover, utility bills for a home with a mother-in-law suite may be far higher than those of just a single-unit home, since you’ll have to pay energy and water alike for the extra, separate unit.
You will also want to ensure the space is soundproofed, as well as that it possesses its own kitchen and entryway, since everyone – both the homeowner and those living in the secondary unit – value their privacy.
In the plus columns, however, a mother-in-law suite almost universally increases the value of a home. If attached, it’s extra square footage for your home, which is always a perk for buyers. If detached, buyers who hope to rent their space for added income will find it attractive, and almost certainly be willing to pay a higher price.
Researchers have found that having a mother-in-law suite will increase the value of your home to be approximately 7-10 percent higher than its most recent sale price. This alone can make it a project – or a purchase – well worth investing in.
While some people may feel comfortable tackling the jobs themselves, many homeowners hire contractors to do most or all of the home repair or redesign work. Finding trustworthy contractors can be hard, and it is important to do your research before you hire anyone.
First, take time to figure out how much you are willing to spend and what you want the project to look like. Visiting showrooms or looking at magazines and websites for ideas is a great way to get started. If you have friends or acquaintances who have done similar projects, ask to see the work they had done and discuss what they learned, what they liked and what they would avoid.
The Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South
Texas offers the following tips for planning your project and selecting contractors:
■ Do your research. Ask friends for recommendations on contractors. BBB Business Profiles are available on more than 5.3 million companies nationwide, including local remodelers, painters, plumbers and general contractors. The profiles include ratings from A+ to F that are based on several factors, including how long a company has been in business and how it has responded to customer complaints. Consumers can read about complaints against a business and how the company resolved them. They also include contact information for companies. BBB Customer Reviews also let potential clients see how and if a company satisfied its customers.
■ Check references and licensing. Interview several contractors before you settle on one. Ask them for a list of references on work they’ve done and contact those customers. Find out whether the contractor has any required licenses and insurance. In Texas, general contractors do not have to be licensed, but certain trades, such as plumbers and HVAC contractors are. Also, be sure the contractor will get a permit for the work if it’s required. BBB recommends you get at least three bids on a project before choosing a contractor.
■ Develop a budget. Can you afford to pay for the work out of pocket or do you need to borrow money? If you’re financing the project, can you afford the payments in addition to your regular expenses?
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Make sure you get a written contract that specifies materials that will be used, a timeline for completing the work, warranty information and any conditions that are important to you, such as cleaning up debris.
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Get everything in writing.
Don’t pay for the entire job up front.
Instead, consider paying a third to secure the contract, a third when the project is mostly completed and the final third only after the work is completed and you are satisfied.
Leah Napoliello is senior director of Investigative Services with the BBB of Greater Houston and South Texas.