MIL Unit - Casita - ADU designer?

[gofuckyourself 8673]

We're likely closing on a new home in the Kyle area. The property has a small ADU already with foundation, electric and plumbing. But we need it larger and nicer for the mother-in-law.

So I guess we need a designer who is extremely patient with the elderly. We have access to contractors and workers and can get it built economically. But we don't design and she needs someone to guide her. 

I suppose that's an architect, but we don't want some luxury specialist, and hoping not to spend multiple thousands for just properly designing one room and a small porch to an existing unit. 

Does anyone have any experience with an ADU "designer" in the Austin - Hays County area? 

[immamac 43552]

Waste of money - who would do that for anything less than 5k? People aren't out here working for free. 

If you have a contractor they probably will be able to do simple alterations and do a drawing. 

[gofuckyourself 8673]

Not expecting free, as I mentioned.

I'll simplify it.

Asking for ADU experiences, recommendations.

[DalTxHornFan 3122]

We added an ADU in rural Williamson County just using a contractor we had worked with before on some remodeling.  We told him what we were trying to accomplish and he came up with some good ideas and made it happen.  Very trouble-free.

[immamac 43552]

56 minutes ago, gofuckyourself said:

Not expecting free, as I mentioned.

I'll simplify it.

Asking for ADU experiences, recommendations.

I recommend you listen to what we are telling you - have the contractor just do it if it's this small/simple.

20 minutes ago, DalTxHornFan said:

We added an ADU in rural Williamson County just using a contractor we had worked with before on some remodeling.  We told him what we were trying to accomplish and he came up with some good ideas and made it happen.  Very trouble-free.

^^ this is the way. 

[ROFL BOX 6649]

ADU.build

[CleverNickname 1333]

not sure if this helps but my mom is in assisted living, and I bet any ADU is comparably larger than those units. You are a good in-law.

[F250 28938]

I had one built for my mother on our property years ago. We went with a 1000 sqft two bedroom house.

My ex-wife is an architect and designed it, obviously for free. But I know if we had to pay someone for her work it would have been in the thousands on top of the contractor costs. For what you are asking, I would just ask the contractor to make adjustments or check with an interior designer which would be less expensive than an architect.

Edited November 7 by F250

[UTPhil2006 3828]

Not sure if he still does, or if he's seen this thread, but @Longhorn_Fan68 assisted us with this in the past

[gofuckyourself 8673]

Thanks all.

We actually exited the purchase because inspection revealed dozens of costly issues. Ironically, the seller was a  construction contractor who owned his own company. Doesn't bode well for his clients.

Anyway, still hunting. I know Austin's Easton Park has them (out of our search area) but homebuilders would do great building more multi-generational plans. Between people living longer, housing costs and kids coming back home, I'm guessing those would sell very well.

[Bevo 13633]

1 hour ago, gofuckyourself said:

Thanks all.

We actually exited the purchase because inspection revealed dozens of costly issues. Ironically, the seller was a  construction contractor who owned his own company. Doesn't bode well for his clients.

Anyway, still hunting. I know Austin's Easton Park has them (out of our search area) but homebuilders would do great building more multi-generational plans. Between people living longer, housing costs and kids coming back home, I'm guessing those would sell very well.

 

It's a good question, overall, for the board. I've been wondering what is the best way to do an addition. I have a good idea on approximate sq footage and how the addition would integrate with the main house, but I would love to be able to get a depiction of how it would look from the outside. So I would want more of an exterior decorator/designer and less of an architect. How do you find those type of people who can do nice designs and color renderings and such? 

 

 

[royiv 9447]

2 hours ago, Bevo said:

 

It's a good question, overall, for the board. I've been wondering what is the best way to do an addition. I have a good idea on approximate sq footage and how the addition would integrate with the main house, but I would love to be able to get a depiction of how it would look from the outside. So I would want more of an exterior decorator/designer and less of an architect. How do you find those type of people who can do nice designs and color renderings and such? 

 

 

People tend to conflate designer and decorator, just as you did above. They are two separate and very different professions. Designers are licensed professionals who have technical education in building codes and passed a state licensing exam. Many of these folks have also passed a three part exam, similar to a board certification exam, to be certified by the Council For Interior Design Qualification and use the NCIDQ designation professionally. On the other hand, anyone can be a decorator. It is not a regulated profession and any person can hold themselves out as decorator.

Source: spouse is a NCIDQ certified interior designer licensed by the State of Texas.

[Bevo 13633]

4 minutes ago, royiv said:

People tend to conflate designer and decorator, just as you did above. They are two separate and very different professions. Designers are licensed professionals who have technical education in building codes and passed a state licensing exam. Many of these folks have also passed a three part exam, similar to a board certification exam, to be certified by the Council For Interior Design Qualification and use the NCIDQ designation professionally. On the other hand, anyone can be a decorator. It is not a regulated profession and any person can hold themselves out as decorator.

Source: spouse is a NCIDQ certified interior designer licensed by the State of Texas.

Although, I did kind of conflate the two, what I was trying to differentiate was that I didn't want a draftsman or an architect. I think more of what I would want is an exterior designer. So if I go through with the purchase, I would have a 3 story house with a gambrel roof and would need to add a garage with a master bedroom above it.

 

So (not the best example) but converting something like below to something like the one below that while improving the decks:

 

 

Into:

 

 

[Longhorn_Fan68 33915]

5 hours ago, Bevo said:

Although, I did kind of conflate the two, what I was trying to differentiate was that I didn't want a draftsman or an architect. I think more of what I would want is an exterior designer. So if I go through with the purchase, I would have a 3 story house with a gambrel roof and would need to add a garage with a master bedroom above it.

 

So (not the best example) but converting something like below to something like the one below that while improving the decks:

 

 

Into:

 

 

I got the bat signal y'all. lol

as an architect/design-builder - and this is not ego at play here as many on this board can attest with me - you get what you pay for in this kind of process. It's best to set a realistic budget and design and build within that framework, rather than trying to shoehorn a design into your budget.  I tell anyone going through a traditional design-bid-build process to budget 10-20% of their budget for soft costs(surveys, drawings, soils testing, engineering, permits, etc) and the rest for construction. It is way, way, way cheaper to figure things out on paper than it is in the field. A tight, fleshed-out drawing set will pay for itself many times over. *steps off soapbox*

also, if you're building within Austin or any metro, you will be required to hire an architect and engineer for a 3-story dwelling. Technically you would need to in the county too, but there is generally no one to enforce it.

Edited November 7 by Longhorn_Fan68

[Bevo 13633]

On 11/7/2024 at 4:04 PM, Longhorn_Fan68 said:

I got the bat signal y'all. lol

as an architect/design-builder - and this is not ego at play here as many on this board can attest with me - you get what you pay for in this kind of process. It's best to set a realistic budget and design and build within that framework, rather than trying to shoehorn a design into your budget.  I tell anyone going through a traditional design-bid-build process to budget 10-20% of their budget for soft costs(surveys, drawings, soils testing, engineering, permits, etc) and the rest for construction. It is way, way, way cheaper to figure things out on paper than it is in the field. A tight, fleshed-out drawing set will pay for itself many times over. *steps off soapbox*

also, if you're building within Austin or any metro, you will be required to hire an architect and engineer for a 3-story dwelling. Technically you would need to in the county too, but there is generally no one to enforce it.

 

So maybe you have a recommendation:

Here is the house now,

 

 

And here is what AI did - some of it makes sense and some of it doesn't (like the garage change and the 3rd floor balcony change.

 

The house lacks a true front entrance and the location of the door is terrible as it limits the size of the kitchen and brings you in right between the kitchen and the breakfast table. The bottom floor is a very nice apartment which is perfect as is.

The AI location may work but it is a narrow breezeway between the garage and the house.

The current house lacks a true master bedroom but I am hoping, I can fix that issue without having to build out as that could get expensive. The home also needs a mudroom and laundry room and most importantly, lacks a great room and formal dining and formal entrance.

I think I will work on the interior this coming year and worry about the addition the following year. I want to have a plan though so it all comes together in the end.

So my question is how to connect the addition to the main home and if a narrow entryway makes sense in the AI or another option would be better? The options to connect the two structures would be a connector hallway between the two structures or have the structures connected directly. As for the addition, I was thinking timber frame with vaulted ceilings with views out to the lake. The timber frame at 30x24 would have a wetbar, a formal dining area and a great room.

And then the final question, is how to go about doing this? Start with an architect? Can someone do some quick sketches to give me an idea?

 

Here is a direct connection as an example - The problem would be a lack of large windows to maximize the views out to the lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 18 by Bevo

[Rimbo 26409]

On 10/31/2024 at 1:02 PM, gofuckyourself said:

Not expecting free, as I mentioned.

I'll simplify it.

Asking for ADU experiences, recommendations.

We've got one in progress, but the situation isn't typical.

We hired a general contractor who then hires all the people needed to do the rest. Payment is unusual as well; we don't actually have the money, so we're covering materials only, giving him the first few years' worth of rental income in payment, plus my wife is helping translate for him on his paperwork and with other jobs (he only speaks Chinese). But that means there's a lot of work stoppage so he can do other jobs, so he's got cash on hand to pay his workers now.

Can't argue with the work quality, though.

In short, hire a general contractor, and review other work they've done to see if it's the kind and quality you want.

[Rimbo 26409]

On 11/5/2024 at 8:13 AM, CleverNickname said:

not sure if this helps but my mom is in assisted living, and I bet any ADU is comparably larger than those units. You are a good in-law.

Probably not ours. Imagine 2 units, 2 bedrooms each, in under 1100 square feet...

[gofuckyourself 8673]

12 minutes ago, Rimbo said:

We've got one in progress, but the situation isn't typical.

We hired a general contractor who then hires all the people needed to do the rest. Payment is unusual as well; we don't actually have the money, so we're covering materials only, giving him the first few years' worth of rental income in payment, plus my wife is helping translate for him on his paperwork and with other jobs (he only speaks Chinese). But that means there's a lot of work stoppage so he can do other jobs, so he's got cash on hand to pay his workers now.

Can't argue with the work quality, though.

In short, hire a general contractor, and review other work they've done to see if it's the kind and quality you want.

We recently found another home which has it's own separate attached "MIL unit." All but a laundry which can be added relatively easily. It (hopefully) will work perfectly and keep the very olds and the nearly-very-olds separate for everyone's sanity, while still providing proximity, companionship and our ability to help out as needed.

The price was more than we were wanting to pay, but the sanity saved in trying to design/build and get permits and of course waiting 8 to 10 months or more for that all to be completed will be more than worth it.

[Rimbo 26409]

4 minutes ago, gofuckyourself said:

waiting 8 to 10 months

lol yeah we've been in progress longer than that hahaha

yeah living in a construction site ain't great

 

[gofuckyourself 8673]

Just now, Rimbo said:

lol yeah we've been in progress longer than that hahaha

yeah living in a construction site ain't great

 

Yep. That made the choice pretty easy. I think we got lucky. There's just so few viable multi-generational options already built in this area, or at least available this time of year and in this market.

Hope y'all's build wraps up relatively quickly and smoothly.  

[Rimbo 26409]

27 minutes ago, gofuckyourself said:

Yep. That made the choice pretty easy. I think we got lucky. There's just so few viable multi-generational options already built in this area, or at least available this time of year and in this market.

Hope y'all's build wraps up relatively quickly and smoothly.  

Eh. I think it annoys the neighbors more than it bothers us.

Guess who DOESN'T have an HOA? hehehehehehehe

Also, here's a fun game: Find the mailbox

 

hell, find the front door

[Longhorn_Fan68 33915]

On 11/18/2024 at 10:39 AM, Bevo said:

 

So maybe you have a recommendation:

Here is the house now,

 

 

And here is what AI did - some of it makes sense and some of it doesn't (like the garage change and the 3rd floor balcony change.

 

The house lacks a true front entrance and the location of the door is terrible as it limits the size of the kitchen and brings you in right between the kitchen and the breakfast table. The bottom floor is a very nice apartment which is perfect as is.

The AI location may work but it is a narrow breezeway between the garage and the house.

The current house lacks a true master bedroom but I am hoping, I can fix that issue without having to build out as that could get expensive. The home also needs a mudroom and laundry room and most importantly, lacks a great room and formal dining and formal entrance.

I think I will work on the interior this coming year and worry about the addition the following year. I want to have a plan though so it all comes together in the end.

So my question is how to connect the addition to the main home and if a narrow entryway makes sense in the AI or another option would be better? The options to connect the two structures would be a connector hallway between the two structures or have the structures connected directly. As for the addition, I was thinking timber frame with vaulted ceilings with views out to the lake. The timber frame at 30x24 would have a wetbar, a formal dining area and a great room.

And then the final question, is how to go about doing this? Start with an architect? Can someone do some quick sketches to give me an idea?

 

Here is a direct connection as an example - The problem would be a lack of large windows to maximize the views out to the lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't really have much interest trying to outduel AI and I can't really afford to give away services. There is likely a solution for what you want to do and if you are reasonable about expectations for both soft costs and construction costs, you will have a product you will enjoy and appreciate for the rest of your life. Do it the wrong way and you'll wish you never started in the first place. That said, I'm happy to have a chat with you separately about how I might be able to help, or can point you in the direction of someone who can. Best of luck with your project(s).

[Bevo 13633]

1 minute ago, Longhorn_Fan68 said:

I don't really have much interest trying to outduel AI and I can't really afford to give away services. There is likely a solution for what you want to do and if you are reasonable about expectations for both soft costs and construction costs, you will have a product you will enjoy and appreciate for the rest of your life. Do it the wrong way and you'll wish you never started in the first place. That said, I'm happy to have a chat with you separately about how I might be able to help, or can point you in the direction of someone who can. Best of luck with your project(s).

 

But just for the concept exterior design, do you think architect or interior designer? My biggest issue is that I want to take care of the interior issues this coming year as that will be plenty expensive before tackling the addition the following year. But, that means that I will have to move the front door or know where I am going to move the front door if I want to remodel and expand the kitchen. Also, since it isn't new construction and I don't have the plans, who can I call to get measurements and elevations to redraw the existing home?

[Longhorn_Fan68 33915]

Just now, Bevo said:

 

But just for the concept exterior design, do you think architect or interior designer? My biggest issue is that I want to take care of the interior issues this coming year as that will be plenty expensive before tackling the addition the following year. But, that means that I will have to move the front door or know where I am going to move the front door if I want to remodel and expand the kitchen. Also, since it isn't new construction and I don't have the plans, who can I call to get measurements and elevations to redraw the existing home?

1. Are you in a City? If so you will likely need an architect and structural engineer, at a minimum. An interior designer often does not have credentials enough to obtain permits in most jurisdictions. In Austin it's an Architect or Certified Building Designer (and they are extremely limited in what they can stamp) and you still have to engage an engineer to do minimum structural design to get through permitting.

2. If I am understanding your construction sequence, you want to remodel and update the existing residence in preparation for a connection to a future adu. You want to do this work and the planning for other pieces of the work now and then build the adu and connecting structure later. My recommendation does not change - you are still going to get the best bang for your buck hiring an architect. They can do all the planning and phasing necessary so you don't have to undo work in the future that you have just completed. They will also be able to execute drawings to a level that you can get targeted bids and therefore you can be more precise in your material orders.

3. My bday is tomorrow and I just got married and I'm feeling somewhat magnanimous at the moment so I'll throw you some free advice: there is almost nowhere in the US a good screened porch isn't a valuable asset. Make your connecting structure a large screened porch and consider using a walkable roof so you can have an open (or covered) rooftop deck. 

again, good luck