We added a granny flat/companion unit to our house. My understanding, from that process, is that if you add bathrooms, bedrooms, etc you DO have to pay more for impact fees. For our case, a detached unit on the same lot, the permit fees included this charge. (It was not an inexpensive permit.)

Also – if you do a full tear down, you end up with higher property taxes – it’s why some “tear downs” will keep one wall standing so they can claim it’s not new construction, but a “remodel”.

If the property has any issues like being on a canyon with slopes, etc, you might be limited to the same footprint of the original house. Friends bought a burnt shell in Mission Hills – built a new house – but were limited to the same footprint. Because of the canyon and new codes about slopes, they could not get permission to get any deviation from the footprint.

We added a granny flat/companion unit to our house. My understanding, from that process, is that if you add bathrooms, bedrooms, etc you DO have to pay more for impact fees. For our case, a detached unit on the same lot, the permit fees included this charge. (It was not an inexpensive permit.)

Also – if you do a full tear down, you end up with higher property taxes – it’s why some “tear downs” will keep one wall standing so they can claim it’s not new construction, but a “remodel”.

If the property has any issues like being on a canyon with slopes, etc, you might be limited to the same footprint of the original house. Friends bought a burnt shell in Mission Hills – built a new house – but were limited to the same footprint. Because of the canyon and new codes about slopes, they could not get permission to get any deviation from the footprint.

Brian,

We’ve had a couple threads that tried to discuss this, but never got much interest before. I’m no expert, but a couple points.

1) The permits for doing this are often a lot more than you would think, and the permitting process, with revisions to your plans be very expensive.

2) There are lots of hidden traps to fall into.

3) Typically, you will spend a lot more time involved in doing this then most people think.

4) Lots of people do manage to overcome these problems and do rebuild houses. Some with more success and some with less. So, it can be done, just keep in mind that it will be more expensive and more time consuming and more headaches than you originally thought.

Lastly, it seems to me a hard way to get out of HOA, and Mello Roos. The main appeal is in getting to design, build and then live in your dream house. Not saving a few thousand dollars.

XBoxBoy

Brian,

We’ve had a couple threads that tried to discuss this, but never got much interest before. I’m no expert, but a couple points.

1) The permits for doing this are often a lot more than you would think, and the permitting process, with revisions to your plans be very expensive.

2) There are lots of hidden traps to fall into.

3) Typically, you will spend a lot more time involved in doing this then most people think.

4) Lots of people do manage to overcome these problems and do rebuild houses. Some with more success and some with less. So, it can be done, just keep in mind that it will be more expensive and more time consuming and more headaches than you originally thought.

Lastly, it seems to me a hard way to get out of HOA, and Mello Roos. The main appeal is in getting to design, build and then live in your dream house. Not saving a few thousand dollars.

XBoxBoy

Brian,

We’ve had a couple threads that tried to discuss this, but never got much interest before. I’m no expert, but a couple points.

1) The permits for doing this are often a lot more than you would think, and the permitting process, with revisions to your plans be very expensive.

2) There are lots of hidden traps to fall into.

3) Typically, you will spend a lot more time involved in doing this then most people think.

4) Lots of people do manage to overcome these problems and do rebuild houses. Some with more success and some with less. So, it can be done, just keep in mind that it will be more expensive and more time consuming and more headaches than you originally thought.

Lastly, it seems to me a hard way to get out of HOA, and Mello Roos. The main appeal is in getting to design, build and then live in your dream house. Not saving a few thousand dollars.

XBoxBoy

Thanks for the info guys.

Sounds like it’s best (cheaper) to find a house that can be remodeled rather than a house that has to be rebuild by adding rooms, bathroom, etc…

Thanks for the info guys.

Sounds like it’s best (cheaper) to find a house that can be remodeled rather than a house that has to be rebuild by adding rooms, bathroom, etc…