Turning a backhouse into workshop. Bad idea? Good idea?

[Leros]

I've been looking for a house in a particular area of town and I've been struggling to find something with a large enough workshop for my woodworking and other hobbies. Within my price range, I occasionally run across a house with a small 2 car garage (~200 sqft) which is a bit small.

I just found a nice house with an 1100 sqft 2 bed, 1 bath backhouse. The backhouse is clearly built off a garage, with an added kitchen and bath. It's got carpeting, drywall, wainscotting, a decent kitchen, etc.

If I ignore the kitchen and bathroom, the 2 bedrooms would make a perfect 2 room workshop if I rip up the carpet and remove the wainscotting. I'm sure it could be converted back into a livable space if I were to move out.

How horrible of an idea is this? How much value would the house lose by turning the back house into a shop space?

 

[lxskllr]

A house is valueless unless it provides you value. If you want a shop, make it a shop. Who cares what it's worth to some stranger in the undefined future? Maybe you could get a different house, and build your own shop.

 

[bruceb]

As you said, leave the bath intact. You may need to run additional power outlet via a sub panel to power all your tools. And since you are a woodworker, you will want a central sawdust collection system hooked up to your stationary tools (table saw, router table, planer, etc) .. It can easily be put back to what it was with minimal work.

 

[twinrider1]

Doable, but check the property taxes. Around here, you'd be paying extra property tax on that back house compared to a big shed.

 

[Thebobo]

My "workshop" is an extra bedroom carpet be damned! Go for it!

 

[goobee]

Since it was previously a garage, take the inner walls down and advise the City/Town Hall inspector that it is no longer living space. After they inspect and sign off that it's a garage. you may be able to save some property tax as it is usually based on living space. YMMV depending on the property tax laws in your state.

 

[Red Squirrel]

A house is valueless unless it provides you value. If you want a shop, make it a shop. Who cares what it's worth to some stranger in the undefined future? Maybe you could get a different house, and build your own shop.

Pretty much this. That is the nice thing of a house vs an appartment, you can make it suit YOUR needs. If ever you do sell, then cross that bridge when you get there.

I doubt most potential homeowners want a dedicated server room with 4 hour expandable battery reserve... well my house has one.

A workshop would be nice too, I want to build a shed so I can stop using my garage as a shed and use it as a workshop. Need to redo the floors, then add insulation/vapour barrier and source of heat but it's definitely a goal of mine.

 

[skull]

If you think it would work go for it. I managed to grab a house with an almost 600 sq ft 2 car garage. Its never enough. Me and my partner just cleaned it all up this week. Got the spare truck turned around in the yard to double as a shed. Its great now but I still need something bigger. My next house is going to be out in the woods and have a pole barn.

You could build a pole barn pretty cheap behind a house you like with no garage. Menards sells good size ones as kits for like 3-4k. I have to spend a little more for one with a big garage door. I want to be able to get my box truck in and on a lift.

 

[Leros]

If you think it would work go for it. I managed to grab a house with an almost 600 sq ft 2 car garage. Its never enough. Me and my partner just cleaned it all up this week. Got the spare truck turned around in the yard to double as a shed. Its great now but I still need something bigger. My next house is going to be out in the woods and have a pole barn.

You could build a pole barn pretty cheap behind a house you like with no garage. Menards sells good size ones as kits for like 3-4k. I have to spend a little more for one with a big garage door. I want to be able to get my box truck in and on a lift.

I'm trying to find something in the central part of Austin. A pole barn is a no go. Houses with garages are less common, most garages are 1 car, and anything larger than a 2 car garage is super rare.

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[zinfamous]

Better idea:

Buy the property and rent out the backhouse to a gaggle of hot, young, coeds.

 

[Leros]

Better idea:

Buy the property and rent out the backhouse to a gaggle of hot, young, coeds.

Hey Zin, you want to rent a house?

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[MongGrel]

Better idea:

Buy the property and rent out the backhouse to a gaggle of hot, young, coeds.

That and install cameras and tell them it is a new reality show

 

[GagHalfrunt]

That and install cameras and tell them it is a new reality show

That. The cameras are a must.

 

[zinfamous]

Hey Zin, you want to rent a house?

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Sure, but it's $2k for every bathroom video you post online.

 

[Leros]

I went to look at the house today. It's pretty awesome. The backhouse has two large rooms. One of the room was designed to be a music studio, so it has soundproofed walls (i.e. I can use power tools at night) and it has outlets EVERYWHERE including several spots in the floor. The music studio will make a perfect wood working room.