[twitchyzero]

A Vancouver laneway home, dubbed the first of its kind built in the city, is being toured in an open house this weekend.

Built by Lanefab, a laneway home design and construction firm, the 710-square-foot unit opens on to the alley behind McGill and Slocan Streets in East Vancouver.

The two-storey home features a single bedroom, bathroom, laundry area and an upstairs kitchen.

Agnes Mendoza, who owns the property, said the decision to build laneway housing was a "no-brainer" because of low development cost and convenience.

"We weren't using this space. It wasn't even a garage, it was just a shed," she said. "We didn't lose much, we gained a lot."

Laneway homes were approved by city council last July, but must be at least 33 feet wide and occupy a maximum of 750 square feet.

They also must be either occupied by family or rented, not strata titled.

Lanefab says the homes cost between $160,000 and $220,000 to build, and can be rented out for between $1,100 and $2,200 depending on the size of the unit.

Bryn Davidson, who designed the McGill laneway home, says there are between 60,000 and 70,000 properties in Vancouver with space for a similar project.

"The last eight months we've been out to look at 100 different properties," he said.

The city will be monitoring the success of laneway housing, and will produce a report after 100 projects or three years, whichever comes first.

The open house ran from noon to 4 p.m. at 2703 McGill Street.


http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100508/bc_laneway_house_100508/20100508?hub=BritishColumbia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2BCkEHop2c&feature=player_embedded

What do you guys think? I have seen this in Australia before around 15 years back. Pretty interesting...I can definately see a lot of houses in east vancouver applying for one of these. Those that rent small apt/condo's in the suburbs and work in the city will probably consider this to save the commute time. From what i gathered the utilities is shared with the main house.

[fishing666]

do not like.. crowded like hell

*too crowded
*meant to be a house not an apartment so the sense of space is gone
*where are you going to park now?

[tonyvu]

would be nice for just you and a roommate

[maxxxboost]

I think it's a good idea.
Gives homeowners the option of expanding and renting.

I would love to check out the open house.

[LiquidTurbo]

Not bad for people moving out for the first time! Pretty cozy place.

[RollingStone]

This is an awesome idea. If I had a house I'd totally invest in one of these. I would rent one if the price was right as well.

I've always thought that North Americans are overly spoiled in thinking a a 3-car garage is a must-have. And even though I like working on my car in our garage, a stand alone house would be a much better use of valuable (and expensive) Vancouver real estate.

[Marioo1991]

Its pretty cool. It it only costs 190k to build, the rent itself should pay it off in about 10 years.. I'm curious to see how much value this would add to the price of the property.

[hotjoint]

looks pretty cool

[twitchyzero]

it's meant to be a house not an apartment
where are you going to park now?

well to be fair, it's not connected to the main house so in a way it acts like a single unit

if only a few people on the block is building lane way homes i assume there will still be plenty streetparking

[Death2Theft]

Thats the main problem with rents and east van, no street parking and more like 15 years.

[jpark]

looks pretty cramped but it looks really nice and cozy at the same time, i would definatly think about it, looks cool

[Ch28]

Would be perfect as a bachelor pad or married couple. Definitely looks way too small to have a family though.

I'd rather move into one of those and save the extra $100-$200k that I would have spent on a condo.

[Teriyaki]

I'd be worried about the lack of parking created once a whole block converts to one of these.

[misteranswer]

I'd be worried about the lack of parking created once a whole block converts to one of these.

http://www.lanefab.com/

That car seems to fit pretty well next to the house.

[Gh0stRider]

its a pretty neat idea. It doesn't look that bad either.

[GLOW]

Thats the main problem with rents and east van, no street parking and more like 15 years.

i agree. in the area i moved in people are very possessive of the public parking spots in front of their houses.

[Greenstoner]

i like this idea

[quasi]

Not really that much different then coach houses above the garage which are all over the place where I live. That place does look a bit larger though but with the coach house you still get a 2 car garage.

[Manic!]

190K is way to much for a rental property. We build a 3 car garage with a washroom and heat for 60K.

[achiam]

Same as in London -- most large homes in pricey areas have backlanes (called mews), and smaller homes which used to house servants/help. Today they are largely converted to mews homes (and still ridiculously expensive!).

Or people can use it as a city crash pad (pied a terre).

[twitchyzero]

Not really that much different then coach houses above the garage which are all over the place where I live.

aren't those used traditionally for maids/butler?

[Marioo1991]

I know a number of people who have converted their garages as suites, its probably a hell of a lot cheaper too. I'm sure it would cos a fraction of the 190k to get the essentials in such as a kitchen, bathroom, etc...

[tiger_handheld]

this is like the pool house idea in Fresh Prince of Bel Air...

[icemiko]

There's actually different designs which offers a 1 car garage with the laneway house.

http://www.lanefab.com/lf1g-one-bed-studio-and-gara/

[twitchyzero]

^ that looks awesome! is that supposed to be a bike storage underneath the bedroom?

[distanc3]

I would agree that converting a garage would be more cost effective.

I'm curious how this would affect the duplex lots prices in East Van? =T

[quasi]

aren't those used traditionally for maids/butler?

Maybe originally but not anymore at least where I live. On my block every house except 3 (including mine) have a coach house above the garage. I think they were an extra 40 grand compared to the houses without them. I thought about buying a place with one but I really don't want to deal with renters, I like my privacy. My place is zoned for one, I could add it if I wanted but I won't.

The coach houses had an open concept kitchen/living area. A seperate bedroom and bathroom and I believe they also have a stacked washer/dryer. There small but plenty of room if your single. I think they rent out for $700 or $800 a month.

[alex.w *//]

good idea if you are building a whole new house completely

but waste of 200k if you just add on to a existing house. applying for permits and attaching plumbing plus electricty is ridiclious

[DsZ24]

Cool idea but seems expensive to add it to your yard. When I first read the title of this thread I thought this was going to be about low income housing lol.

[skyxx]

I live like right beside it. LOL well not really but across the street near the Grocery store. People are fucking parking behind my alley blocking traffic......

[Gnomes]

I didnt really like that laneway house. It sticks out into the alley. Might be noisy if a lot of cars drive through it but alleyways arent suppose to have a lot of traffic.

To spend 200K+ for an extra building to rent out, it is not my cup of tea.

[jeepwreck]

i love it
if i can ever afford a house i would want one on my lot for sure

[FerrariEnzo]

its nice for a 1, maybe 2 people...

its a good investment..

but if you were to sell it, you dont own it.. so when you go to sell the big house, your lot will be smaller, wouldnt it decrease the value of the big house??

[asian_speedster]

Love this idea! could be great for 1 or 2 people and I could see them becoming super trendy. Great use of space great minimalist designs.

Gotta love good design

[Hondaracer]

190K is way to much for a rental property. We build a 3 car garage with a washroom and heat for 60K.

the 190K price is obviously their markup for these places

its nothing innovative and i would suspect they cut corners on the foundation etc

to build a house on that size it would cost well under 100k

[wstce92]

its nice for a 1, maybe 2 people...

its a good investment..

but if you were to sell it, you dont own it.. so when you go to sell the big house, your lot will be smaller, wouldnt it decrease the value of the big house??


You do own it, you don't sell your laneway house, you rent it out, so when it comes to selling your property, you're selling both your house AND your laneway house. Although it may be difficult if a potential buyer doesn't want to rent it out or whatever, not sure how it would work with your tenant if you're selling it to someone who doesn't want them. But I'd assume that all the details would be worked out in a rental agreement

[vafanculo]

If this picks up i'd be more worried about prices of condos and houses going even higher. If rent of a laneway house is $1,000/mth, that might push the price of a condo renting for $1,000 today even higher, etc.
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[RollingStone]

If this picks up i'd be more worried about prices of condos and houses going even higher. If rent of a laneway house is $1,000/mth, that might push the price of a condo renting for $1,000 today even higher, etc.
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I think it will have the opposite effect. Increased supply of rental units (all else equal) should drive rent costs down.

[FerrariEnzo]

You do own it, you don't sell your laneway house, you rent it out, so when it comes to selling your property, you're selling both your house AND your laneway house. Although it may be difficult if a potential buyer doesn't want to rent it out or whatever, not sure how it would work with your tenant if you're selling it to someone who doesn't want them. But I'd assume that all the details would be worked out in a rental agreement

so legally you can not sell these laneway houses alone...

[Meowjin]

190K is way to much for a rental property. We build a 3 car garage with a washroom and heat for 60K.

it's illegal to rent out a garage.

also i approve anything to condense vancouver more into a real city.

[misteranswer]

^ not to mention you're still living in a garage.

[Manic!]

it's illegal to rent out a garage.

also i approve anything to condense vancouver more into a real city.

I know that I was just comparing the costs.

[mb_]

I'll definitely consider this when I move out!

[JSALES]

pretty cool and not bad of an idea

[Manic!]

the 190K price is obviously their markup for these places

its nothing innovative and i would suspect they cut corners on the foundation etc

to build a house on that size it would cost well under 100k


I wonder if the owners are allowed to rent out just the land? A company could rent the land put up a prefab house for cheap and rent it out.

Maybe build houses out of shipping containers like this:

http://zerocabin.com/images/100students/3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/totallyunmemorable/Myhousedouble-stacklivingroomside.jpg

[Meowjin]

I know that I was just comparing the costs.

I know. It's also a headache when the city finds out. (and yes it's happened to my family)

[Meowjin]

Seriously I hope every homeowner in vancouver builds these. It will cause rent prices to shoot down, and increase density in the city. Then maybe we can get some real fucking transit/other infastructer.

[BrRsn]

do not like.. crowded like hell

*too crowded
*meant to be a house not an apartment so the sense of space is gone
*where are you going to park now?

That's only one variation, theres other designs where people still keep a one car garage (On a standard width lot) and have the apartment on the other side of the garage as well as ontop of the garage.

[SG2]

good idea if no one owns a car......standard house in vancouver will house two familes and than you have the laneway house so now you got three families sharing that one parking space. If I had a million dollar to build a new house I would most likely have money for at least one car and than have suites for rent. Now these tenants are going to look for parking too

[Onassis]

I wonder if the owners are allowed to rent out just the land? A company could rent the land put up a prefab house for cheap and rent it out.

Maybe build houses out of shipping containers like this:

http://zerocabin.com/images/100students/3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/totallyunmemorable/Myhousedouble-stacklivingroomside.jpg

This reminds me of Thunderbolt with Jackie Chan.

[hk20000]

^ then you hope the street outside can accommodate 2 cars/family...

[Gt-R R34]

its nice for a 1, maybe 2 people...

its a good investment..

but if you were to sell it, you dont own it.. so when you go to sell the big house, your lot will be smaller, wouldnt it decrease the value of the big house??

It's not a strata OR a divided lot so the owner of the lot still own it. it's part of your property. So it would technicall increase the value of your home.

the 190K price is obviously their markup for these places

its nothing innovative and i would suspect they cut corners on the foundation etc

to build a house on that size it would cost well under 100k

Wrong and wrong, the actual cost of these places are roughly 250K.

The permit itself is 50K without even a single brick laid not including foundation cost and tear down if the previous garage foundation today is insufficient. Foundation is checked by the city before the go ahead with the construction of the main building so don't provide false "info" on saying cutting corners, this isn't China, there is strict building codes. Construction is roughly 150-200K depending on the type of laneway housing the owner plans to build. As there are around 4-5 different floorplans and structrual type.

So hence the price, 200k is acutally on the cheaper side.

I wonder if the owners are allowed to rent out just the land? A company could rent the land put up a prefab house for cheap and rent it out.

Maybe build houses out of shipping containers like this:

http://zerocabin.com/images/100students/3.jpg



nope, land can't be "rented out" the permits don't have that clause and it's a residential property the zoning would not allow this type of business structure.

While the shipping containers are kinda cool, it won't never happen just cause the visual appeal of these houses will never fly in Vancouver.

[Ch28]

While the shipping containers are kinda cool, it won't never happen just cause the visual appeal of these houses will never fly in Vancouver.

I actually like the shipping container look :p

[SpartanAir]

Cool idea, I would totally live in one by myself, MAYBE with a girlfriend...but not a family. Also, there's barely any storage space in the design. The bike locker is not enough, most people have tons of shit to store...

You could totally throw some solar panels on the roof and make self-sufficient heating.

[twitchyzero]

You could totally throw some solar panels on the roof and make self-sufficient heating.

People generally need heating in the fall/winter.

Vancouver generally does not have sunny days in the fall/winter.

[Death2Theft]

Hmm so it takes no account of your current floorspace for your lot size. You can have only 500sqft on a 33ft lot 750 max on a 50ft lot. Not even sure it's worth it to build on a 33.

[quasi]

It's not a strata OR a divided lot so the owner of the lot still own it. it's part of your property. So it would technicall increase the value of your home.



Wrong and wrong, the actual cost of these places are roughly 250K.

The permit itself is 50K without even a single brick laid not including foundation cost and tear down if the previous garage foundation today is insufficient. Foundation is checked by the city before the go ahead with the construction of the main building so don't provide false "info" on saying cutting corners, this isn't China, there is strict building codes. Construction is roughly 150-200K depending on the type of laneway housing the owner plans to build. As there are around 4-5 different floorplans and structrual type.

So hence the price, 200k is acutally on the cheaper side.



nope, land can't be "rented out" the permits don't have that clause and it's a residential property the zoning would not allow this type of business structure.

While the shipping containers are kinda cool, it won't never happen just cause the visual appeal of these houses will never fly in Vancouver.

That is so crazy price wise. Coach houses, 40-45K. A bit smaller but less then 1/3 the cost. Those seem like a nice idea but at that price point it would take so long to pay for itself it's totally not worth it IMO.

[Jsunu]

I wonder if the owners are allowed to rent out just the land? A company could rent the land put up a prefab house for cheap and rent it out.

Maybe build houses out of shipping containers like this:

http://zerocabin.com/images/100students/3.jpg



Oh god, housing prices are so bad I am considering living in a shipping container :(

doesnt look that bad tho:

http://www.shippingcontainerhousedesign.com/

[Manic!]

The permit itself is 50K

That's ridiculous!!!

Who's dumb idea was this anyway? This might be a good idea If you have parents that are retried that may need some assistance but don't want to live in a old age home plus they could help take care of any kids you have. But the cost is too high to rent it out and make the money you spent on it back. Better off to have one or 2 basement suits and rent them out.

Wonder if they allow mobile homes?

[quasi]

That's ridiculous!!!

Who's dumb idea was this anyway? This might be a good idea If you have parents that are retried that may need some assistance but don't want to live in a old age home plus they could help take care of any kids you have. But the cost is too high to rent it out and make the money you spent on it back. Better off to have one or 2 basement suits and rent them out.

Wonder if they allow mobile homes?

Probably cheaper to jack up a house that didn't have a basement up on stilts and add one then it is to build one of these, thats just fucked.

[Hondaracer]

Wrong and wrong, the actual cost of these places are roughly 250K.

The permit itself is 50K without even a single brick laid not including foundation cost and tear down if the previous garage foundation today is insufficient. Foundation is checked by the city before the go ahead with the construction of the main building so don't provide false "info" on saying cutting corners, this isn't China, there is strict building codes. Construction is roughly 150-200K depending on the type of laneway housing the owner plans to build. As there are around 4-5 different floorplans and structrual type.

So hence the price, 200k is acutally on the cheaper side.
.


LOL are you fucking kidding me?

my company is in the process of building 2 separate homes near 21st and Main and for a 3 level home from the ground up, total tear down and rebuild from foundation up is around 300k

and dont try to tell me about building inspectors, etc. the city of Vancouver has the most inconsistent inspectors of the whole lower mainland, as well as the biggest pricks, it's simple to run drain tile, water proofing, etc. after an inspection and get away with it, there is a process then there are the corners that can be cut by any builder.

I'm not sure where you get this 50K figure for the permit, but I guarantee there are ways around that, and if that is some specific "Lane way" home permit, then i know for a fact that there are ways around this "permit" because i actually had a lengthy discussion with 2 fellow employee's today on the prospect of these type of homes and both of them have said they knew people building these LONG before this recent news story.

200k is obviously their markup for their attempt at cornering the market, any builder could build these homes.

[Gridlock]

LOL are you fucking kidding me?

my company is in the process of building 2 separate homes near 21st and Main and for a 3 level home from the ground up, total tear down and rebuild from foundation up is around 300k

and dont try to tell me about building inspectors, etc. the city of Vancouver has the most inconsistent inspectors of the whole lower mainland, as well as the biggest pricks, it's simple to run drain tile, water proofing, etc. after an inspection and get away with it, there is a process then there are the corners that can be cut by any builder.

I'm not sure where you get this 50K figure for the permit, but I guarantee there are ways around that, and if that is some specific "Lane way" home permit, then i know for a fact that there are ways around this "permit" because i actually had a lengthy discussion with 2 fellow employee's today on the prospect of these type of homes and both of them have said they knew people building these LONG before this recent news story.

200k is obviously their markup for their attempt at cornering the market, any builder could build these homes.

Bloody brilliant on behalf of these Lanefab guys. They get their name attached as the go to company to build a laneway house.

I suspect the price will drop way down as soon as 15 more companies pop up in a week. Oh, and 10 of them will be East Indian owned, a group synonymous with quality in the construction industry.

The pricing sounded like shit to me too.

[icemiko]

^ that looks awesome! is that supposed to be a bike storage underneath the bedroom?
Yea, it's a bike storage, I guess you can use it for other stuff if you wanted too.

[Hondaracer]

Bloody brilliant on behalf of these Lanefab guys. They get their name attached as the go to company to build a laneway house.

I suspect the price will drop way down as soon as 15 more companies pop up in a week. Oh, and 10 of them will be East Indian owned, a group synonymous with quality in the construction industry.

The pricing sounded like shit to me too.

This isnt technically "new homes" the owners of the existing residence choose to build this detached space

if they choose an East Indian builder, that is their choice

*disclaimer - there are good east indian builders.

[Gt-R R34]

LOL are you fucking kidding me?

my company is in the process of building 2 separate homes near 21st and Main and for a 3 level home from the ground up, total tear down and rebuild from foundation up is around 300k

and dont try to tell me about building inspectors, etc. the city of Vancouver has the most inconsistent inspectors of the whole lower mainland, as well as the biggest pricks, it's simple to run drain tile, water proofing, etc. after an inspection and get away with it, there is a process then there are the corners that can be cut by any builder.

I'm not sure where you get this 50K figure for the permit, but I guarantee there are ways around that, and if that is some specific "Lane way" home permit, then i know for a fact that there are ways around this "permit" because i actually had a lengthy discussion with 2 fellow employee's today on the prospect of these type of homes and both of them have said they knew people building these LONG before this recent news story.

200k is obviously their markup for their attempt at cornering the market, any builder could build these homes.

Hey I'm not arguing with you but you might be building 2 houses for 300K on a split lot. I know how much it cost to tear down, buy mats, build a house. I do enough progressive mortgages to know the costs associated to build a house. Plenty of houses financing has fit your breakdown of 300k, laneway houses isn't as cost effective like a full tear down AND rebuild.

The issuewith laneway is permit/foundations/sewage and while the 250-300 is a mark up, they DO NOT make a lot as you put it.

Also, i don't know how your employees have been building laneways for the longest time, there hasn't been any permits allowed in the lower mainland ever. While they might have been doing it else where, if they say they have been doing it here. I doubt their truth.

Here's some facts and a read if you must:

Ronda Howard, a senior city planner, said Vancouverites expressed interest in housing aging parents near caregivers, and providing starter homes for adult children in their own communities.
But building and development permits, electrical and water hookups, construction fees and landscaping fees make laneway housing expensive.

This laneway house at McGill and Slocan in East Vancouver is nearly complete.
“It’s not really what I would call affordable,” Ocea Ringrose(owner of property) said.
The city estimated the cost for a laneway house would total around $150,000. But Michael Geller, a Vancouver architect, planner and developer, said the actual costs are closer to $250,000.
One builder said his laneway houses cost between $230,000 and $300,000.
“If you think of what you get for that price it’s quite remarkable,” said Jake Fry, who owns Smallworks, a company that builds prefabricated laneway homes. “If you think of something akin to a one-bedroom apartment or a condominium … you’re really not getting into much under $450,000 or $500,000.”

Here is a break down in cost:

Here’s a breakdown of the possible costs associated with a 500-square-foot laneway house:
Construction fees: $100,000 at $200 per square foot (Source: Interview with Ocea Ringrose)
Building permit: $699.25 – based on construction fees (City of Vancouver)
Development permit: $748 (City of Vancouver)
Demolition: $249 – if demolishing main house (City of Vancouver)
Landscaping: $500 + depending on space, complexity and design – required by the city (H.O.T Architecture)
Garage demolition (if required): $1,500 (City of Vancouver)
Enviroshake roofing (from recycled plastic): $28,000 (Enviroshake Roofing)
Installation of solar heating system: $1,000-$3,500 – depending on type of system (ToolBase Resources)
Water sewer connection: $8,000-$30,000 – depending on new infrastructure required (H.O.T Architecture; and Interview with Jake Fry)
Electrical connection (must be separate from main house): On average $1,000, but can be up to $20,000 if new equipment or infrastructure is required (BC Hydro)
Architectural and engineering fees: $10,000 + (Architectural Institute of B.C.)
Site survey: $2,000 + (if required) (H.O.T Architecture)
Estimated appliance costs: (Sears Online)
- Washer/dryer: $800
- Small refrigerator: $600
- Basic oven/stove: $600
- Toilet: $80
- Sinks: $500
- Bathtub/shower: $750

I've also talked to the 2 companies that are building pre-fabs in Vancouver right now and their associated cost is in the 150-200Ks.

Edit: My bad, i just did a little research, laneway housing was allowed in Vancouver in the 1920s....

[Manic!]

Enviroshake roofing (from recycled plastic): $28,000 (Enviroshake Roofing)

28K for a roof on a 500 sq house are you kidding????

I bet you could build one for around 100k if you used the right people to do the job.

[Meowjin]

thats probably why roofers are such ballers. Or drug trafficers apparently.

[SG2]

one can be built for around $150k if you're doing it the same time as a new house but will be more if you're going to add a laneway to an existing house. The first laneway in the RS1 Zone is on Euclid Ave around 29th ave. There are other laneway but not in the RS1 zoning

[Hondaracer]

I'm sitting at our site off main and 21st and two developers I'm with said a laneway house can be built for under 85k easilly from excavation to finishing

the 3 story full basement were building here is barely over 200k
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[quasi]

I'm sitting at our site off main and 21st and two developers I'm with said a laneway house can be built for under 85k easilly from excavation to finishing

the 3 story full basement were building here is barely over 200k
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That sounds more realistic. Although we don't do residential construction that 150-200K price point is ridiculous.

[fliptuner]

I'm sitting at our site off main and 21st and two developers I'm with said a laneway house can be built for under 85k easilly from excavation to finishing

the 3 story full basement were building here is barely over 200k
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If the existing house is newer, I'd say go for the laneway @ approx $100k.

If starting from scratch, I'd say go with the 3 storey full basement with proper sound separation w/ the suite. You (homeowner) would save on utilities, HVAC, roofing, and still have room out back for a yard and a proper garage. The suite would probably get a bigger living area compared to the laneway house also.

[misteranswer]

I'm sitting at our site off main and 21st and two developers I'm with said a laneway house can be built for under 85k easilly from excavation to finishing

the 3 story full basement were building here is barely over 200k
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Are you saying I can do all the work myself, hiring workers, subcontractors, etc. and be able to build the house for 85k or that I can easily find a contractor that can take care of pretty much everything for me and just hand him 85k?

[Hondaracer]

If you find a construction management company that has the know-how and good people working for them that can design it I'd say yea you should be able to find someone to build one for under 100
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[Marioo1991]

I'm sure u can get one built for even cheaper than 85k, but just like with anything else, you get what you pay for. A lot of contractors will opt to use cheaper quality materials and possibly less experienced people to lower the cost. If I was getting one of these built, I would want to spend the money to get one built that's good quality and looks half decent.
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[Gridlock]

This isnt technically "new homes" the owners of the existing residence choose to build this detached space

if they choose an East Indian builder, that is their choice

*disclaimer - there are good east indian builders.

Yes, yes there is. I certainly don't want to paint an entire group with the same brush. There does tend to be a large group of builders that service a need, mostly in Surrey of building large houses cheaply.

[Hondaracer]

I'm sure u can get one built for even cheaper than 85k, but just like with anything else, you get what you pay for. A lot of contractors will opt to use cheaper quality materials and possibly less experienced people to lower the cost. If I was getting one of these built, I would want to spend the money to get one built that's good quality and looks half decent.
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for sure, but a $25,000 "Green" roof is just insane for somthing like this.

[Marioo1991]

for sure, but a $25,000 "Green" roof is just insane for somthing like this.

yah that is insane, but like a 190k car compared to an 85k car, there are gonna be things that are overkill

[Death2Theft]

If i'm gonna pay 25k to have "eco" green roof i'd rather line my roof with 20$ bills.

[AccordCouped]

i think i just saw the second laneway house in vancouver currently being build. was driving around 54th and argyle, saw what i believe is to be a laneway house cause it looked nothing like a fuckin garage!! its on the corner if anyone wants to go check it out.

[frost91]

i build homes for a living and realistically a laneway home can be built for less then 100k.

its not the frame and structure that drive the cost up its what you want inside.

cabinets, doors, windows, trim, flooring.... quality materials = $$$$$$$$$

the price lanefab quoted has a lot to do with their architecture and the quality materials they used, theres also a lot of overkill materials used in that home

[Manic!]

Home depot in Nanaimo is displaying a prefab house that I think is around 500 sq feet. Cost $60000.

Here it is:
http://www.norpineproducts.com/Documents/NorPine_Mackenzie_2010_Plan.pdf

more designs: http://www.norpineproducts.com/plan_designs/index.php

[7seven]

Was talking to a friend of mine and she saw the news story about laneway houses on the news, and now she's looking into building a laneway house on her property just for her 3 dogs :facepalm: more money than sense

[jigga250]

I'm sure u can get one built for even cheaper than 85k, but just like with anything else, you get what you pay for. A lot of contractors will opt to use cheaper quality materials and possibly less experienced people to lower the cost. If I was getting one of these built, I would want to spend the money to get one built that's good quality and looks half decent.
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

Exactly. Obviously you can build some sort of basic shelter for 85k, the house in the video? Not a chance you will get nice exterior wood, LED lights, etc for that price.

[Hondaracer]

Lol.. For 85k you will get finishings better then the original house on the property

why would you need high end finishing in a little shit box like these? Pointless
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[RenoMan]

i live like 5 mins away and from what i see when i walk by its pretty well built but its just way too cramped. Thought it looked more like a fancy garage because its so damn close to the alley. the existing house is old and it just looks weird with the laneway being taller than the existing. For 200k you can build a new vancouver special haha

[Gh0stRider]

I actually like the shipping container look :p

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/for/1737499498.html

Free Delivery!
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/for/1730093792.html

[Mancini]

They had one of these houses on display at the Yaletown olympic live venue. It was really, really nice. I'd rather live in one of those than an apartment.

[BoS_DC2]

them mailman are gonna get robbed delivering mail in the alley..

[DsZ24]

them mailman are gonna get robbed delivering mail in the alley..

Beats delivering mail behind the subway on hastings:p

[Ch28]

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/for/1737499498.html

Free Delivery!
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/for/1730093792.html

Let's do a group buy :haha:

[turb0fr3ak]

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/for/1737499498.html

Free Delivery!
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/for/1730093792.html

its been done! jackie chan's movie thunderbolt has a great example of a container home lol:haha:
skip to 5:00minutes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PvbZJos9aI&feature=related
related video to the first hehe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7OsHLelIyU&feature=related

[TypeRNammer]

Didn't mean to bump up a really old thread, but this was one of the threads that popped up in regards to laneway housing.

Has anyone recently propped up a laneway home on their Vancouver property?

Did a quick google search, LaneFab.com and smallworks.ca came up as the top search.

Any feedback in regards to these two companies?

[Blueboy222]

:troll:

[beatdownvictim]

my builder was telling me $180k if I wanted to build one(about 500sq ft) along with our new home

Also I'd need to pay my architect, structural engineer, and energy consultant some more money on top of what I'm paying them already, I entertained the idea to make it a man cave but my wife nixed that idea :(

[nabs]

There is already one in our block, but its not much a house, looks like a party spot above the garage for the kids to chill out, it does have a kitchenette and bathroom though.

We have a large lot, I was looking into this a while back. We are able to fit a two car garage and a nicely sized laneway house in our back yard.

[CharlesInCharge]

Im looking to start a company offering 3k 100sq micro houses marketed as a shed. Limited to 8x12 x15foot height (being on a slop). see my 3D house at the end of the clip.
Looking for investors! what one could offer in terms of help\backyard\storage space\cnc machine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9kWTHky0Nw

[SoNaRWaVe]

Currently rebuilding a house with a laneway house on the property. Builder said it would cost roughly 100k more to build one. 2 floors, roughly 480 sq ft if i recall.

To be honest, if you look up specialty companies that specializes in laneways, you should be prepared to pay top dollars for it. Shop around for builders that you trust or have a referral to. And ask for a quote.

[Wetordry]

100k there abouts if you are already building a new house on a std lot in east vancouver 33x122

If you are not building a new house, i am guessing minimum 150+k maybe 200k+ for the laneway

[meowjinboo]

Currently rebuilding a house with a laneway house on the property. Builder said it would cost roughly 100k more to build one. 2 floors, roughly 480 sq ft if i recall.

To be honest, if you look up specialty companies that specializes in laneways, you should be prepared to pay top dollars for it. Shop around for builders that you trust or have a referral to. And ask for a quote.

100k is NOTHING for a laneway. Honestly that is one cheapass laneway.

[MindBomber]

100k is NOTHING for a laneway. Honestly that is one cheapass laneway.

What is that statement based on? $100,000 for 500 sqft puts the total for the build at $200 sqft, and that's a totally reasonable number that's appropriately a bit below the average for a custom home in Vancouver.

[EFifty3]

What is that statement based on? $100,000 for 500 sqft puts the total for the build at $200 sqft, and that's a totally reasonable number that's appropriately a bit below the average for a custom home in Vancouver.

Permits, plans, and city services hook ups can run up close to 60% of that.

[supafamous]

Didn't mean to bump up a really old thread, but this was one of the threads that popped up in regards to laneway housing.

Has anyone recently propped up a laneway home on their Vancouver property?

Did a quick google search, LaneFab.com and smallworks.ca came up as the top search.

Any feedback in regards to these two companies?

I've been talking with Thomas from Lanecraft about putting a laneway in my in-law's lot. Nice guy, not pushy. His pricing starts at $190K and he can do offsite builds which are faster and less messy. His builds look pretty nice and seem to do a good job maxing out the available floor space.

Also talked with Jack from Tyko Development - said a laneway runs about $180K for a 33" lot one but only $110K if you're already building a house. All the permits and work for power and sewer lines drive up the cost a lot - my in-laws are lucky that the sewer lines run in the back of the lot so it's a lot less digging.

The in-laws seem fairly keen now so this might happen over the next few months, will share what we learn.

[SoNaRWaVe]

100k is NOTHING for a laneway. Honestly that is one cheapass laneway.

its cheap because we are currently rebuilding our home. so it is supposed to be cheaper. if you want to build a laneway without rebuilding the home, the price goes up significantly.

[v_tec]

I'm looking at lanefab's gallery. All the ones they are showcasing are 1000+sf

How much do these run? 500k+?

[multicartual]

Housing was at one time something that made communities


Housing is now simply an investment designed to squeeze every last dollar from your fellow man

[TypeRNammer]

I'm looking at lanefab's gallery. All the ones they are showcasing are 1000+sf

How much do these run? 500k+?

The Dumfries Solar Lane House was ranging from $450,000 to $500,000.

Cost was high because of materials that were used to build it.

Also their one car garage got converted into a one kid bedroom and an office den.

Other wise on the lower end of costs, it starts at $300,000 for 1000sq if using lower end materials and appliances.

[RuffleCopterz]

If you live in a Vancouver special with the garage attached to the house, are you eligible to build a lane way house?

[SoNaRWaVe]

our old house was a vancouver special and had a garage attached. we were eligible to build a laneway. not sure what the requirements are, but all you gotta do is call city hall and ask if your lot is available to build a laneway on.

needless to say, the laneway would render your attached garage useless unless you convert it to something. and that would probably take a bit of work.

[jing]

The requirements are easily found with a quick Google search that leads you to the CoV website. IIRC, depends on zoning but as far as I could tell, pretty much any SFD home is eligible

[GLOW]

Building your laneway house | City of Vancouver (http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/building-your-laneway-house.aspx)