Turning a pre-fab storeage barn in to a home

[paulaswolfpack]

Maybe you have seen them along the road those small barns set up in a row.
I am looking for something small for myself to live in. I have a chance to buy one that is 16x32 for 6,095 or a 14x28 for 5,288 and there is one that is a 14x32 with a 6ft paorch for 8,000.
My question is how easy would it be I was thinking of putting the plumbing all on one wall I would only need a shower a toliet and a kitchen sink.
How much extra would I have to put into it to make it into a liveable home?
These are made by menonites.

[mr.breeze]

Since there really isn't that much to them and you can get the plans on line you could build one yourself for less than what their selling them for,now I don't know if that is something you have thought of or have the time for but if you can save a good chunk of change it might be something to think about.

[Windy in Kansas]

I'll recommend that you start by going and pricing an electrical service box, i.e. breaker box, breakers for it, and pricing copper wire as well.

Insulation isn't too bad. SIL bought last week for 2X4 basement perimeter walls and rolls 32' long were $10 with price rounded. So each roll covers a 4' X 8' area.

Price a heater of some sort while you are at it.

Quite a number of threads on this forum that tell of just what you are thinking of doing.

[nehimama]

A ocuple of years ago, a neighbor did just what you are suggesting, and it worked quite well for her. Good luck with yours.

NeHi

[HilltopDaisy]

I've spent the last 6 weeks doing exactly what you are talking about. I bought a 12 x 20 building, with a real house door and two big windows on one end, and a single barn door on the other end.

I've completely insulated it, including the floor, and started sheet rocking. I've run power from the existing mobile home, to a seperate panel box in the cabin. The water will be hooked up within a week. There will be a shower and utility sink, and sawdust toilet. I'm using a 12 gallon electric hot water heater, and heating with electric and kerosene. No plans as of yet for a cook stove.

I have *roughly* $5500 in it so far, and expect to spend another $500, easily. Feel free to PM me with any questions you might have.

[geo in mi]

Shower, toilet, kitchen sink---maybe $500 for new materials. Plumbing.......maybe $150 for PEX and tools, plastic drain traps and vent pipe. Wiring............. figure on $150 for 100 amp box and breakers, another $100 for wiring. Water heater? $200 Stove and Fridge????? Insulation? 736 sq ft of R-11(walls), and about the same for R-25 or so(cathedral ceiling). So................ you could be looking at $10,000 for the whole thing--less, if you scrounge and/or barter, and find sales. Of course, this isn't talking about permits, septic, and electric meter hookup, or foundation, and, oh yes, heating. Just my SWAG from weekly trips to Menards, hope it helps.

[Beeman]

It's no different then a house if it's framed correctly. Some home stores sell kits that you can assemble yourself if you are able. You can actually make it better then most site built houses just by using good materials for wiring, plumbing and insulating. I would pour footers and set it up on block piers. This would give you a crawl space and access for plumbing and electrical. Better yet if you're on a hill build a small block basement/root cellar and set it on it.

[ronbre]

i agree if you have the skills and time build it yourself..as you are paying for the prefab..sometimes GARAGE kits work really well and are about the same cost and generally larger..

also what is your climate..if it is a warm climate you can take some time getting the insulation in and plumbing insulated..etc..if it is cold..you have already run out of time to do it that way

[Harry Chickpea]

FWIW, you might buy a junker trailer or mobile home for next to nothing and strip out the sink, shower unit, and appliances. This assumes you don't live in an area with a strong building code.