This shed conversion requires all the same tasks as building a new house (permits, foundation/footings approval, plumbing, electrical, etc.). It is not a simple job in any way, and it will not be inexpensive.

If you have the space, I recommend looking instead at a used pull-type RV to see if you can find one that could be parked near the house and connected to "shore power" and fresh water. You would still have to figure out how to get rid of sewer waste, but there may be someone in your area who could be contracted to pump out the blackwater tank periodically.

Used RVs are often sold at relatively cheap prices because they have outlived their use to the original family. YMMV.

Bruce

I agree with Bruce.

You could do some very temporary garden hose and camping toilet and Battery / Solar LED lights in the shed - but a small camper would be less trouble.

I appreciate the alternate option and I’ve definitely thought about it before but she owns six acres (Although I love her, I’m trying to be as far away as I can) and this will not just be a temporary thing. She needs constant care so I will be with her the rest of her life. I need a place that can stand up to that. I also have a cat and a Newfoundland so a trailer, even decent sized, would be cramped. I’m going to stick with my options and I know that it won’t be cheap but that’s how it is building a home

I think the first thing you must do is to learn about the city regulations. First does the city code allow a secondary house on a lot of that size in that area. Regarding the suggestion of an RV, many city have regulations controlling not only if you can have an RV on the site, but if you can live in the RV. If you can live in the RV there may be regulations in how many days you can stay in the RV.

If you are going to spend the money to renovate the shed, it may be cost effective to add an addition to the house. The addition could contain at a minimum a bed room and a second bath. When you sell the house, (and a some point in the future you will) the cost of the addition, from what I have read, will increase the value of the property by the amount of the addition. Some buyers may see a mini house on the property as a liability and it could actually decrease the value of the property.

I already have my permits in the mail for removating the shed and I’ve done extensive research on the codes of the area. We don’t want to build an extension into the house, we want to convert the shed so that I have my own space and area. I know that there are easier AND more cost effect AND less laborious options but this is the one we’ve chosen and the one we’re sticking with. I understand where you guys are coming from and I appreciate the options but I just need to know how to run the water line

Thank you, Kudzu9. I’m mostly just looking for a general understanding here. from what I’ve read so far, the freeze line needs to be deeper than 36 inches. I’m not sure about the piping of the house but that can’t be determined yet anyway because we’re moving. I appreciate it anyway and I suppose I’ll update and ask again when I find out more information. Again, thank you

What are you going to do about bath faculties. Principally sewer lines. Water to the shed means some way of getting the water from the shed. As at a minimum you would have a sink and use the bath room in the house.

Once thet bring in the equipment for installing the sewer line, the cost of the waterline may be basically materials. That brings up another point. I believe there are regulations on the distance the sewer line/septic system must be from the water lines. Have you checked this.

If you would rethnk the addition, it could be built with it own entrance

I’m going to install a shower, toilet and two sinks. I’ve planned it out so that I have enough space. Yes, I’ve checked the distance requirements but I’ve decided to just hire someone to hook it up and then I’ll do the rest of it. If you guys know anyone that could do this pretty cheap, please let me know. I don’t have a whole lot of money available

You rent a big backhoe and dig a big freaking trench, not hitting the existing sewer or water lines or electrical is where it starts. It’s no where close to where it ends.

The slope has to be calculated, and if the required slope to have poop run downhill can’t be achieved, then you’ll require a lift station. This isn’t cheap or DIYable at all. If you can’t afford the 40-50K to have the plumbing done, the project is dead in the water. A shed is no where near being up to code for a habitable space. It’s a genuine safety hazard to not do this correctly. A local family living in a shed had a baby die because it wasn’t done correctly. That could be you and your pets.

The plan for the sewer lines was NEVER DIY. The last thing we need to septic issues. However, water lines ARE DIYable and that’s what I was planning on doing. However, I still haven’t gotten any useful advice on how to run those either so I guess I will just hire a guy. Thanks anyway all

It only gets worse with every post. Septic is far more restrictive than a sewer. You don’t attach a shed to an existing septic system. The system is calculated and permitted for the house occupancy number only. You’re asking for a complete septic replacement when you overload it and it fails, and better hope you have an allowable reserve field location. Way more than the 50K to properly connect to a sewer. This is a big health issue too. The health department is the one that says how many bedrooms can connect to the tank. .

You don’t even think of running water until the outflow is designed, approved, and you know where all of that is going. You’ll just ruin everything by getting ahead of yourself and needing to backtrack and abandon or adjust.

An addition is a lot less work than making a shed into a legal residence. An illegal residence is begging for bad things to happen.

So what your saying is that if I’m going to do this, I need to build like I’m building an entirely new house and just not worry about connecting it to the original house at all? Because I can do that. I just need to know what my options are for the shed. I’m not building an addition, my mom doesn’t want that. Whatever plan I come up with, I will need to save for so I need to know what my best option is for the shed itself

Burn it down and start over. A shed is going to cost more to properly convert than to start over building something properly permitted legal. That won’t get you fined and your homeowner’s insurance cancelled. Or leave it for lawnmower storage. It’s not going to work hillbilly the whole thing to live in it illegally. The bank just called your house note for that. Do it fully legal, or don’t do it.

Okay, So build a small home on her lot with all of the proper channels, pay to have septic and water and electricity ran, and then I’ll just do the inside work myself. Thanks

Probably cheaper to just put a mobile home on the property. The septic thing is a real issue. Contact your local Health Department, and then a plumber noted for working with septic. It’s really difficult to have two entries into a tank and not have backup and field issues, even if the tank is large enough to serve two dwellings.

Okay, thanks

I think what every one is saying, that from your question you are working under the assumption that this is simple and can be done cheaply for a couple of thousand. A couple of thousand that will just get you into the game. I don't know what it is like in your area, but in our area you need a permit for everything and once you have the building permits, you have to get an occupancy permit. Examples of permits you probably will need, Permit to tap into the house water system, sewer permit, Electrical permit. Construction permit. Each permit will have to have a city approved inspection. You may have to get some sort of permit from the power company to increase the amps provided to the house.

One of the question that will have to be answer is the current fuse panel in the house large enough for the increase demand made by adding the shed. If this is an older house, the whole thing will have to be resized. This is especially important if you are planning on heat / AC with electricity.

If you are going to heat the shed with gas, you will need a permit to tap into the line and extend the line to the shed.

None of the items mentioned above even considers that actual cost of labor and materials to do the item. Some items like electrical work, water plumbing, and others must be done by a city authorized and licensed person. Some times it takes different people with different licenses to get the job done. As an example; It you have an AC/Heating unit installed you will need a licensed AC/Heating person, and some on with an Electrical license to get the job done; It there is a gas heater that is another licensed person.

We are not trying to be difficult, just trying to help you see the size of the project you want to undertake. In an effort to produce an absolutely safe environment simple jobs become quite complex.

@Victoria Price,

I do understand where you are coming from - and I get it that you don't find this very helpful. Here's the thing - you can't just wing this. There are a ton of building codes and not a small amount of skill and knowledge involved that can't be conveyed to someone who has no building background at all. I'm all about people learning, but you are in way over your head if you try to do this project. I wouldn't do this project myself and I have a ton of experience.

Building actually takes an amount of engineering - even for what you are planning. You would have to provide plot plans, topo map, details about the capacity of the existing service, etc. We would have to know local codes as well. Then we would have to provide you with detailed plans. That's not something that you can expect from a website.

Here's the other thing: You can't straddle the line between "Legit" and "not legit" and pick and choose which it is as it suits you. If you go legit, then you have to start with the minimum structure size that's allowed by zoning (there's a reason why tiny houses are built on a trailer frame). You then have to do all of the plumbing, wiring, construction, etc. to code.

If you decide to go "non-legit" you are talking about a trailer, a camper, or a "shed" that is not a permanent dwelling structure. It will be on wheels - OR - it will be a shed/outbuilding without any permanent plumbing.

Sometimes the best advice/most responsible thing we can say, is that you need to hire a professional or consider alternatives (such as a different house). That's definitely the case here.

I understand. I’m learning a lot, and I’m appreciative for the help. Telling me what I’m doing wrong is not being difficult, it’s saving me from mistake after mistake. I’m very glad for the help. I’m just frustrated that it’s going to be so difficult

You have never stated where you are located and what the surrounding residential properties are like. Assuming you will need to build a new structure, and that you have 6 acres available, you really need to look at the future use of this structure, and when you might sell the property. If you plan to use it as a house, then build it like a small house, but consider how will it fit with the rest of the property. For example, could the two houses be broken out separately in the future and sold with two plots of land?

If its more of a temporary living solution for a few years, then maybe you need to build a barn/garage with some living space. In a rural area that may be more saleable in the long run than acreage with two small houses. Just consider what you expect to do with this structure in five years, ten years, etc. before you spend a lot of money.

Bruce

If the current house is on a septic tank, then yeah, you cannot just add another bathroom and such without knowing the capacity of the system.

A mobile home or pre-fab (pre-constructed) might be a much easier thing to put in place since it will be complete when delivered. It would be hooked up when put in place and ready to go. You will need to bring utilities to it before install (except for maybe electric).

If local codes allow (call and check with your local code enforcement office), for black and gray water consider install a composting toilet: there are a lot of tiny house blogs and instructions that can run you through the options and considerations. Gray-water systems can be used for showers, sinks, washing machines etc...

Hope this project worked out for your and your mom's doing okay.