What is a Mother In Law Suite?

Table of Contents:

Benefits of a Mother-in-Law Suite

You can rent the extra space for additional income with a mother-in-law suite. The suites offer you an additional rental revenue stream or an extra living space for your home. Mother-in-law suites are not just for in-laws, as the name suggests, but also for potential renters or extra space for you and your family.

Below we have provided a few reasons to build a mother-in-law suite.

• Versatility

When you build your suite, you can customize it to your liking. For example, you can retrofit the space to be a personalized space for your personal use or a full living space for tenants. When the living area is not in use, homeowners can use the space for personal purposes like a home workspace or private art studio.

• Increase the value of your home.

Some homebuyers are attracted to home plans with mother-in-law apartments and are willing to pay extra for real estate with built-in suites.

• Additional Income

If the laws in your area allow you to designate your in-law suite as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), you may also be eligible to rent it out as a one-bedroom or studio apartment to long-term tenants.

• Privacy for Guests

In-law suites can also serve as extra-private guest bedrooms or guesthouses. The spaces are separate from the rest of the home’s living area, so you have some breathing room when guests are in town for the holidays. Additionally, holiday travelers who need a temporary respite during the busy travel seasons can rent the space. Whether your guests stay for a single night or long-term, they’ll have their own entrance and necessary amenities.

Names for a Mother-in-Law Suite

Another common name for a mother-in-law suite is ADU, which stands for an accessory dwelling unit. Apart from ADU, there are several names for these types of units. Some of these include:

• Accessory apartment
• Basement apartment
• Ancillary unit
• Backyard cottage
• Backyard apartment
• Carriage house
• Garage apartment
• Garden cottage
• Granny flat
• Home-within-a-home
• Junior accessory dwelling unit
• Laneway house
• Mother-daughter home
• Multigenerational home
• Secondary unit
• Tiny house

These spaces serve the same purpose as a secondary living unit within a single-family property. These should not be confused with guest rooms within the single-family home that are not attached. Mother-in-law suites are fully functioning independent spaces with a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, plumbing, and foundation. The space can function independently but is still part of the original house to which it is connected.

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Types of Mother-in-Law Suites

With several names for them, there are four types of mother-in-law suites:

• Detached
• Attached
• Interior
• Garage conversion

Detached units are freestanding with plumbing and utility hookups and usually with their entrance. The unit is essentially a separate house.

An attached unit connects to the primary house with a shared wall. It still has its own plumbing and hookups but not its own entrance.

Interior units are within the home but in separate spaces such as an attic or basement.

They are not added to the original structure of the house. However, the spaces are retrofitted with their own hookups and plumbing, much like an apartment.

Garage units are similar to interior units, but they are in the garage.

Building Your Mother-in-Law Suite

Is a mother-in-law suite the right fit for you? If your parents need extra support, you want to use the space to rent for additional income, or you would like to have space for your expanding family, the suite could be your best option. First, however, you should know a few factors to keep in mind before building a mother-in-law suite.

The Cost

Housing prices are steep in today’s market, and the cost of constructing a mother-in-law suite could be very expensive. In addition, these types of suites are more expensive per square foot than building a single-family house due to fixed costs associated with permitting along with the foundation, utility hookups, and plumbing. Also, mother-in-law suites are typically smaller than a single-family home, and the cost of including a kitchen and bathroom is not offset by any extra bedrooms or other square footage.

The cost will also be dependent upon which type of mother-in-law suite you choose to build. More complicated projects with a new foundation and the full components of a house will be more expensive than a basement or garage apartment.

It is also essential to be familiar with your space and know how it can best function as a mother-in-law suite. For example, if you want to make your garage into a suite but your house’s plumbing and electric utilities are not compatible with the city’s required code for such purposes, you may not be able to create the suite in that space.

Detached and attached units have similar limitations. The unit has to be positioned well, which means working with your contractor to find a space the new unit might be positioned with your home.

They can also help you determine workable options for your current budget.

Planning Checklist for Building a Mother-in-Law Suite

Check Your Local Building Codes

The local building codes for your area will help you determine what you can add to your mother-in-law’s apartment. If you want to build an addition, you will usually need a bathroom, bedroom, and small kitchen area. Adding a full kitchen can require additional permits and could be altogether banned.

Other common requirements for in-law apartments include:

• The adjoining house to the suite needs to have full-time residents.
• In addition, there needs to be an outside entrance into the dwelling, separate from the main house entrance.
• There should be separate water and sewer connections, though most municipalities allow three total plumbing connections with one sewer permit.
• The apartment needs to provide access to off-street parking, such as a garage or driveway.

Find The Location for Your Mother-in-Law Apartment

The best location will likely be a lateral extension off of an unused bedroom or near an existing bathroom if you build an addition. The city may only allow you to convert a garage, basement, or attic versus building an apartment extension, but this is unique to each city.

Mother-in-Law Suite Plans

Try to keep your plans simple and efficient for the cheapest and safest outcome when building your addition. For example, a comfortable space should have a full bathroom and kitchenette area. Also, separating your mother-in-law’s suite’s utilities from your main house allows you to switch them off if the space is unoccupied for an extended period. And if you end up renting the space out to another occupant in the future, you can easily split the bills.

Find a Certified Contractor

Find a contractor specializing in building in-law apartments. Contractors with experience will know how to accommodate your needs best and can be very helpful throughout the design process and construction. You can search the National Association of Home Builders website for certified contractors and look for those with the CAPS designation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Mother-in-Law Suite?

A mother-in-law suite is an additional living unit within or next to your property or home designed for use by guests or tenants. It is an additional, fully functional living space added to a single-family home.

How much does it cost to build a mother-in-law suite?

Mother-in-law suites usually cost anywhere from $5,000 to over $100,000. According to Home Advisor, The average cost to build a mother-in-law suite is around $82,500. The cost heavily depends on your home’s layout, availability, labor costs in your area, and your suite building plan. Bathroom additions alone can easily reach $25,000. Remember to keep in mind that the more expensive your mother-in-law suite is, the more difficult it will be to see a positive return on your investment.

How big are mother-in-law suites?

Mother-in-law suites usually range from 300 to 1,000 square feet. Your suite will usually need a private entrance and bathing and cooking facilities to be considered an accessory dwelling unit.

How to find a home with a mother-in-law suite?

It can be a challenge to find a home with a mother-in-law suite. The home listings do not usually feature the addition, so you will need to find the suitable filters and categories in your searches, which requires a lot of digging.

Knowing which keywords to use is helpful, such as a guest house, addition, in-law suite, and other variations.

The best option will likely be to work with a real estate agent that can search the MLS database for the type of home you need. The system features advanced filters, so they will have an easier time searching for your home.

What does a Mother-in-Law Suite Look Like?

Mother-in-law suites come in many different styles. They are like a smaller version of a traditional home and usually feature a full kitchen, bathroom, living room, and bedroom. More luxury mother-in-law suites can include additional, more luxury amenities.

Mother-in-law suites also have their private entrance separate from the main entrance, allowing guests privacy to come and go as they please.

Can you Rent Out a Mother-in-law suite?

Yes, many people choose to rent out their mother-in-law suites to generate additional income streams. However, your local laws will determine whether or not you are permitted to rent out your mother-in-law apartment. You can contact your local zoning office for information on local zoning laws.

If your local laws do not permit you to rent out your mother-in-law apartment, you can apply for a zoning variance or an exemption from the regulations. However, keep in mind that these permits can be expensive, and obtaining them can be difficult, depending on your location.

How Much Value Does a Mother-in-Law Suite Add?

There is no exact number to how much value a mother-in-law suite adds to your home. Every real estate market is unique. Some buyers may find mother-in-law suites an attractive feature to have in a home, while others might see them as unnecessary and costly to upkeep.

To calculate the actual value of your mother-in-law addition, consider what it is really worth, how it can save you money, and the income it can bring it. These things are likely to translate into added value for the right buyer.

Summary

Having a mother-in-law suite as a home addition can be an attractive quality for buyers, but it’s essential to consider the actual value it will add after costs. Real estate market trends and features buyers look for are constantly changing. Carefully think about the pros and the cons, then talk to your local zoning authorities before deciding to add a mother-in-law suite to your home. Knowing the local building codes in your area and hiring a contractor will likely be the best choice to get the addition built.