Asked on Dec 19, 2015
Cost of converting a bedroom to an efficiency apartment
by
Judy H
+19
I am considering converting a ground floor bedroom into an efficiency apartment. It would likely include adding an outside access door where the window is, and would have to include a tiny bathroom. I'm looking for ideas for how to do it as inexpensively as possible. The current bedroom is about 10 ft x 9ft not including a wall closet. Room is currently being used by a messy son ;)
12 answers
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My daughter and I do a lot of renovations. Lowes is the place we go to price and usually buy our toilets, vanities, flooring and some paints. Sherwin Williams is good on paints also. We like the hardwood floor look, so we get the snap and lock. Makes the place look larger and you can use a variety of rugs to accent.
![Cheryl Troutman Burkett]()
Cheryl Troutman Burkett
on Dec 19, 2015
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I did that. I added a sink and apt size frig in closet. Luckily I picked the bedroom that backed up to a bathrm. So plumbing was a snap. I cut an exterior door and a door to bathrm. I sealed off door to bathrm from hallway. To make it private to apt. I sealed off hallway door to bedrm by sheet-rocking in hallway, leaving enough space for new closet. The project cost me $800 in labor. Sink and cabinet $20 at yard sale (nice too) faucet and pipes $(rounded off) $200 at Home Depot, small frig $250 t Lowes, sheetrock, paint etc (already had. exterior door from recycled store $50 (had knob with it which I had re-keyed for $50. step for exterior door just labor and leftover wood.
![Limbo Forest]()
Limbo Forest
on Dec 20, 2015
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http://www.mymoneyblog.com/ikea-small-space-floor-plans.html
![Joan Mustard]()
Joan Mustard
on Dec 20, 2015
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A 10x9 apt? Yikes!
![L.D]()
L.D
on Dec 20, 2015
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Better check county ordinances. If you're going to rent it out there may be laws against it; if you're in a residential R2 neighborhood. If it's for family, you may be ok.
![Diane Charles]()
Diane Charles
on Dec 20, 2015
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I think you are dreaming if you think you can DIY this project, especially a bathroom where there is no plumbing. Get a couple contractors in and find out how they would do it. (you make no investment or commitment to get an estimate but a lot of information as to what will or not work) Look at mini home and mini-trailer designs. But in that space...;( you may need a wake up call.
![Johnchip]()
Johnchip
on Dec 20, 2015
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I also would say, for such a small space, unless, and even, if it is extremely well done, you are not going to make much money off the space and do you really want a stranger who can only afford a 'closet' living that close to your space and family?
![Johnchip]()
Johnchip
on Dec 20, 2015
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Judy, check with a local hardware store to view prices on doors they have in stock. I would go with a coated steel door for safety. They have a list of carpenters who will do installation, you can ask what their fees for installing the new door in place of the window. I wouldn't add a toilet in a 10x9 living/sleeping area. Too cramped, not hygienic. You will have a tight space having to add a desk/counter top for a microwave or hotplate and tiny sink. with apt. fridge, and what about clothing storage.... Not an ideal situation for an efficiency.. The first thing you need to do is check your city/county ordinances, tho, to make sure you won't be in violation of any codes..
![Bonnie]()
Bonnie
on Dec 20, 2015
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I did this with a very large storage room. Your biggest expense is going to be plumbing. I had to put in a new drain field for the septic tank, in order to accommodate a new bathroom. A bathroom must have either a swing door or a "pocket" door, which is made to slide into a frame. You must supply running water in both the bathroom and kitchen sink. The cheapest way to lay this out is to have the bath and kitchen share a wall, so as to minimize piping, or have them both very close to where you plan to hook up the water.. If you're really in San Diego (as opposed to Ramona or somewhere "country,") I'm afraid you'd have to jump through so many legal hoops, it might not be feasible. I remodeled a home in both Mission Hills and La Mesa about 35 years ago. Kept my mouth shut and made no changes that could be seen from the street. I never had a problem, but now I don't know.
![Pat]()
Pat
on Dec 20, 2015
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You will probably have a hard time fitting a bathroom into a room that small. Even with a tiny shower, it will have to be at least 4 by 6 feet, unless you put the sink out in the room. You might be better off renting the room and having the person share a house bathroom.
![Darla]()
Darla
on Dec 20, 2015
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first check the local building codes for minimum space required for a rentable space and what that space must included (for example a bedroom must have a closet to be considered a bedroom). Next visit a RV center to see how they use the space in a 9' X 10' trailer. Check on the costs for what you plan to do. How long will it take for payback on the renovation before you start making money. Consider also the cost of built-ins requires to make the space work. And last but not least, consider if anyone will be looking for a 90 sq. ft. apartment. That is tiny space. Can you add a bathroom, kitchenette and still provide a closet and room for doors to open and close and everything else needed to qualify the space as a rentable apartment or room.
![Carol]()
Carol
on Dec 21, 2015
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I didn't get an actualy cost, but I did get some great ideas both for how to design the room and what obstacles I will run into.
![Judy H]()
Judy H
on Dec 25, 2015
Cheryl Troutman Burkett
on Dec 19, 2015
Limbo Forest
on Dec 20, 2015
Joan Mustard
on Dec 20, 2015
L.D
on Dec 20, 2015
Diane Charles
on Dec 20, 2015
Johnchip
on Dec 20, 2015
Bonnie
on Dec 20, 2015
Pat
on Dec 20, 2015
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