Adding a bathroom to a detached former garage (window, heater, convert)

[janetvj]

I am looking for a very rough estimate of the cost to add a bathroom to a detached building that currently has no plumbing. The house is in Jacksonville, FL. and has a building maybe 30 feet or so away in the back yard that has been converted into a living space with drywall and carpeting. It currently is owned by a family member who may be putting it on the market. I have been planning on relocating to Florida, and love the location and style of the house, but it would need some updating (kitchen and bath are seriously outdated). The house is kind of small, but the building in the back would make a great "man cave" for the spouse, and would give us the extra square footage that we need. But it would need to have at least a half bath to have it work for that purpose.

Any idea as to the cost of doing something like this?

[DanBev]

Originally Posted by janetvj

I am looking for a very rough estimate of the cost to add a bathroom to a detached building that currently has no plumbing. The house is in Jacksonville, FL. and has a building maybe 30 feet or so away in the back yard that has been converted into a living space with drywall and carpeting. It currently is owned by a family member who may be putting it on the market. I have been planning on relocating to Florida, and love the location and style of the house, but it would need some updating (kitchen and bath are seriously outdated). The house is kind of small, but the building in the back would make a great "man cave" for the spouse, and would give us the extra square footage that we need. But it would need to have at least a half bath to have it work for that purpose.

Any idea as to the cost of doing something like this?

Just make sure it is legal with permits or bank and or appraiser will not approve,been there,had to get civil engineer to get out of mess.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Way more than the bath would be worth- and that's if it's even possible.
Not knowing if the house is sewer, or septic, the elevation of the house relative to the outbuilding, elevation of the outbuilding to the street if sewer, and the list goes on and on.

[Squirl]

I was quoted $1200 to run a waste water line about 15 feet to connect with the house's sewer line and another $800 to run plumbing & install laundry area faucets in a carport shed that is attached to the property. That is a more simple project than yours......

[brien51]

Your first step is to call the city's building inspector and zoning enforcement officer. Ask them if there are any regulations and, if so, what they are for a project like this. Be certain you can move forward first. Next step is to ask the building inspector for a list of licensed plumbers, excavators and other craftsmen in the area. Then have three estimates done. You didn't mention electricity soi f there is none , you will have to install. If there is old outdated, it will have to be updated. Another qiuestion for the Building Inspector to satisfy the code.

To sum up the labor.:

Excavator to connect the sewer line.

Plumber to connect water lines.

A carpenter to do the rough and finish work.

Possible electrician.

Also heat & AC? It can get chilly in January & February in Jacksonville. Perhaps just one circuit to plug a electric heater into Same for AC.

[janetvj]

Thanks for all of the replies. I thought it might be more complicated than it seemed, and evidently I was right. I will definitely keep all of this in mind. As for some of the comments - yes, the building does have electricity. I think it just has window a/c, and is not heated, but I need to check on that. The house is on city water and sewer.

My brother-in-law can do the carpentry work and hooking up the plumbing, but he would not be able to install the actual lines. And I suspect that would be where the majority of the budget would go. If it could be done and for $10,000 or less I would consider it do-able. More than that would be a stretch.

[Wilson513]

I think the estimate above ($1200 for 15 feet) is on target. Here, it cost $70/foot to install underground waste line. If the tie in is complicated, add a couple hundred.

[brien51]

Originally Posted by janetvj

Thanks for all of the replies. I thought it might be more complicated than it seemed, and evidently I was right. I will definitely keep all of this in mind. As for some of the comments - yes, the building does have electricity. I think it just has window a/c, and is not heated, but I need to check on that. The house is on city water and sewer.

My brother-in-law can do the carpentry work and hooking up the plumbing, but he would not be able to install the actual lines. And I suspect that would be where the majority of the budget would go. If it could be done and for $10,000 or less I would consider it do-able. More than that would be a stretch.

$10K should be more than enough to do what you want to do here, considering you have artisans in the family. You should be able to connect the sewer lines for 5K and run the water inbound for that as well. Your biggest expense will be the excavator. Those guys are very hungry right now so shop them carefully and dilligently and you should get a bargaiin on that end of the deal.

[Coldjensens]

It really varies. We had sewer and water to the "garage" for less than $500. However the sewer pipe runs right alonside the garage only about 4 feet away. THe water line was just a plastic pipe buried in a trench between the house and the garage and then penetrating through the basement wall.