Expertise: Design, Build & Remodeling, Kitchen and Bath, Additions

Over the past couple of years, the use of in-law suites has become increasingly popular in homes around the country. It is not only a smart financial decision, but also allows families to keep their parents close while providing the appropriate amount of privacy.

Nick Kornea, president of LBK Design Build, provides homeowners with all the answers needed for a successful expansion. From planning to design and construction, clients are ableto discuss and incorporate a functional space for aging parents.

House & Home spoke with Kornea to learn more about what to consider when adding an in-law suite to your home.

What are some potential financial benefits of adding an in-law suite?
It's a good fiscal approach to retirement for older folks. So rather than having a loved one go into a retirement community or an assisted living facility, it can be a good alternative because those homes in general across the country, on average, cost about $110,000 to $120,000 per year.

Whereas we can build roughly an 800-to 1,200-square-foot in-law suite addition for roughly $400,000 to $500,000. That would provide them with a kitchen, a master bath and a master bedroom that's ADA-compliant for aging. Essentially, you're investing that $450,000 back into your own home and can help raise its property value.

What construction and accessibility concerns do homeowners need to consider?
Zoning is the first thing. In some cases, we may have to get a variance and some engineering to deal with the additional square footage.

Grading is usually a big part of it. We typically base everything on universal design, meaning we make things in the home ADA-compliant while keeping in mind the design aspect. So maybe gentle- ease grading as far as walkways and pathways for concern up to entryways. Then making things like the bathroom areas compliant, such as walk-in showers with no thresholds and bench seating.

What is the average timeframe?
The full construction is about four to five months long. The planning could take up some extra time; overall you may be looking at nine to 12 months, with design and planning.

Why are more people considering investing in an in-law suite?
We've seen an increase over the last few years, and especially this last year, and we feel like a large part of that is due to the increased cost of living. On top of that, increased costs of real estate and interest rates going up.

Homeowners are choosing to stay in the state where they are living currently and then either improve the space or add to it. This is probably a trend we are going to see continued for the next three to five years.

LBK Design Build
4814 York Rd | Doylestown, Pa. | (215) 675-5000 | LBKDesignBuild.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 23, Issue 6 (April 2023). 
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