Given that “casita” means “small house,” some homeowners expect that building their charming, compact backyard house will come with a charming, compact price tag. However, while the construction costs of a Creative Casita with Ash Creek Homes are much lower than those of our full-size, single-family homes, the price per square foot of a casita surprises some homeowners.
General Construction Costs
Building a home of any size involves fixed construction costs. Many of these costs are shared among multiple homes in traditional neighborhood construction, but they contribute to a higher price per square foot of a casita alone. For instance, the cost of a portable toilet, delivery fees, equipment mobilization, and overall construction efficiencies are spread across several houses, lowering the individual price per home.
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- Engineering and Design Fees: Crafting a livable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing space requires the expertise of architects and engineers. Since these professionals don’t charge by the square foot, their fees raise the price per square foot of a casita.
- Permit Processing and Permitting Fees: Permits to build your casita cost money! We gladly navigate your city and neighborhood’s unique regulatory processes for you, but we do have to pay for them.
- Site Preparation: Preparing the land for construction involves significant expense, especially when grading or clearing rocks, trees, and shrubbery is necessary.
- Delivery Fees: Almost every vendor involved in the construction process charges delivery fees for materials and equipment.
- Inspection Fees and Energy Audits: Ensuring the home meets safety and energy efficiency standards requires multiple inspections.
- Meter Fees: Installing utility meters is another necessary construction cost.
- Construction Fencing and Safety Measures: Securing the site to ensure safety adds to the overall expense.
- Interior and Exterior Cleaning: Post-construction cleaning is essential to make the home move-in ready.
Construction Costs Involved in Building Around an Existing Home
Building a casita means constructing around an existing home, which introduces unique challenges and additional costs:
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- Accessibility Challenges: Since the existing home obstructs accessibility to the site, larger construction equipment cannot be used. Much of the heavy lifting and site work for a casita has to be done by hand, which is costly.
- Electrical Yard Lines: Extending electrical lines to the new casita can be complicated and costly depending on your yard and property.
- Water Yard Lines: Connecting the casita to the water supply involves additional labor and materials.
- Wastewater Yard Lines: Ensuring proper wastewater disposal is crucial and adds to the cost of the casita.
- Exterior Cleaning and Grading: Maintaining the aesthetics and functionality of the surrounding area increases the workload and cost.
Why Invest in a Casita?
Despite the high price per square foot, many homeowners find a casita worthwhile investment. Whether you need a guest house, a home office, a pool house, or a rental unit for extra income, a casita offers many short-term and long-term benefits. Here are a few:
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- More Space, Same Home: A casita provides the additional space homeowners need without the complications and expenses of moving. Adding a casita is especially appealing in a competitive housing market where finding a new home that meets your needs and budget can be challenging.
- Leveraging Home Equity to Build More Equity: Most Austin homeowners have built considerable home equity thanks to rising property values. Equity is the difference between the appraised value of the home and the remaining mortgage balance. This equity can be leveraged to finance a casita, which creates greater property equity because it increases the home’s value.
- Preserving Low Mortgage Rates: Mortgage rates have risen significantly over the past two years, creating a dilemma for many homeowners who need more space but don’t want to give up their current low mortgage rates. By financing the casita separately, homeowners can keep their existing mortgage rate while adding valuable living space.
Contact Us Today
Are you interested in exploring what a casita can do for your home? Fill out our Creative Casita interest form today to learn more about how a casita can enhance your property and increase its value.
