Considerations for an In-Law Suite in Northern Virginia

Considerations for an In-Law Suite in Northern Virginia

Whether you need to make space for your mother, in-laws, or an adult child, an in-law suite in Northern Virginia is a great addition to your home. Home Guide reports that adding an in-law suite can add up to 35% to your home’s value. That value is increased if you plan to rent the in-law suite once you no longer need it.

There are some key considerations that need to be taken into account when designing an in-law suite in Northern Virginia. These considerations add to both the cost and the value of your new home addition in Fairfax or the surrounding area. Cosmo Builders can help you make these decisions in the design phase of your in-law suite addition in Northern Virginia.

Space planning and adding square footage to the home

Space planning is your first consideration when deciding to build an in-law suite. How much square footage can you add to your home comfortably? The overall size of your in-law suite could be determined by the square footage of your current home and the size and layout of your property. Cosmo Builders can work with most properties to find an in-law suite addition solution for you.

Private entrance

An in-law suite should have a private entrance, even if it is accessible from the main house as well. A private entrance can be incorporated into the design of the new addition, or it can be created in an existing exterior wall. Lots of windows for natural light are also recommended, and these can be added to new walls or placed in existing exterior walls.

Bedroom and bathroom

The bathroom of an in-law suite can be connected to the bedroom for a master suite experience. Alternatively, the bathroom can be completely separate from the bedroom. The placement of the bedroom and bathroom may need to be based on where existing plumbing and wiring exists, and the costs of extending plumbing to the desired bathroom location.

Kitchenette or full kitchen

For an in-law suite to be complete, it must have at least a kitchenette if not a full kitchen. The kitchen doesn’t need to be large, but it should be functional. You’ll add more value to your home if you stock the kitchen in the in-law suite with name-brand appliances. Whether you opt for a kitchenette or a full kitchen likely depends on the space available for the in-law addition in Northern Virginia.

Living Area

A separate living area should be included for a full in-law addition in McLean or the surrounding area. The living area doesn’t need to be large, but it should be big enough for at least a small sofa and a chair or two, as well as an entertainment center or television. The exterior private entrance should open into the living area or the kitchenette.

Storage space

Don’t forget that your guests staying in the in-law suite will need to have some storage space. Built-in cabinets and shelves are a great way to add storage space without needing to add square footage and are a speciality of Cosmo Builders. Bedrooms should have closets, and kitchens should have plenty of cabinet space for the functionality of the kitchen.

Zoning and permitting

An in-law suite addition in Arlington or the surrounding area will always require permitting and may require zoning as well. If you want the in-law suite to have their own address, you will need to go through zoning. Cosmo Builders handles all of the zoning and permitting for you so that you can avoid this headache. Building permits in Northern Virginia by Cosmo Builders are always successful.

Contact Cosmo Builders for Your Free Estimate

Cosmo Builders is a design-build contractor in McLean serving Arlington, Ashburn, Sterling, Fairfax, and all of Northern Virginia as well as Washington DC. We handle every aspect of your in-law addition, including design, zoning, permitting, and building. Contact us today for a free consultation and estimate for your in-law addition in Northern Virginia.