A carriage home is a compact, fully functional secondary dwelling build on the same property as the main house. They are carefully designed to maximize space, efficiency and comfort and often feature everything a regular-sized residence has – kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms and a living space, making them an excellent option for family, guest, or rental income.
In Kelowna, carriage homes are popular for their versatility. They act as an independent living space for the elderly or young adults looking for independence. They are also commonly used as a long or short-term rental unit for generating consistent income, which over time will pay for itself.
Carriage House Features
Carriage homes are carefully designed to provide a compact yet functional living space on your property.
Smart Layouts
Most carriage homes sizes are based on the main house size, up to 960-1100 square feet, depending on the municipality and zoning requirements. Depending on the size available, you can create one- or two- bedroom layouts and ensuite bathrooms, or even include a small office or studio.
Stylish Design
These modern builds can be tailored to match or complement your primary residence. The designs are customizable to your own preferences and taste. At DeGroot, we have a diverse portfolio of carriage homes we have built to meet eac
Private Entrance & Parking
Carriage homes often include their own private entrance and parking, giving occupants from both homes privacy from each other’s lives.
Benefits of a Carriage Home
What makes a carriage home so appealing nowadays? Well, these structures offer advantages you may not find in typical buildings.
Extra Living Space When You Need It Most
As your family grows and changes over time, a carriage house provides enough flexible space to adapt. They work perfectly as a guest suite, in-law residence, or as a private home for adult children wanting to gain some independence.
Rental Income Potential
A carriage home can generate rental income through long-term tenants or short-term vacation rentals, which is an investment that often pays for itself while adding significant value to your property.
Your Private Workspace
Working from home has its challenges. Your house can be loud, noisy, and full of interruptions and distractions. In such situations, a carriage house can create the perfect, separated space you need to be productive.
A carriage house can act as an office or workshop for those wanting to separate the work and home life.
Storage & Functionality
If you’re current home is lacking in storage space, carriage homes also act as perfect storage locations by giving you a dedicated place for storing items such as sports gear, hobby equipment, or seasonal equipment, without cluttering your own house.
Carriage homes are often used as a dual storage facility and a part-time accommodation for friends and family visiting.
Energy Efficiency That Saves Money
When you build a carriage house with modern techniques, efficiency improves dramatically. New insulation, windows, and heating systems significantly reduce utility costs. Many owners report surprisingly low energy bills.
These savings accumulate over time, making for a smart investment.
Increased Property Value
Adding a carriage home to your property can increase your overall property value. So what may work out as short-term benefit, whether for rental income, storage, or other reasons, you can also benefit in the long term by appealing to future buyers who love the versatility that carriage homes offer.
Is a Carriage Home For You?
Factors to consider:
Do You Have the Right Property?
Your carriage house, in most cases, is based off your main house size up to a maximum size of 960-1100sqft depending on your municipality. The good news is that all you need is a 700 sqft Carriage house and your investment makes sense.
Zoning is also an important factor. You can get in touch with us to find out more about your specific requirements for building a carraige home.
Financial Commitment
Building a carriage house represents a substantial investment and costs can vary depending on your situation. If you’re planning to build a carriage house, you’re going to be spending between $300k-$400k. You can’t invest that amount of money into another type of real estate and make a bigger return than by building a carriage house in your own back yard.
If you have $300,000-$400,000
Option 1: buy a bank stock and make 5%/yr Approx $1250-$1667/month
Option 2: build a carriage house and make rental income of $2200-$3200/month
Lifestyle Needs
Think about how you’ll use the space over the next 5-10 year, whether it’s rental income, storage, family use, personal workspace, and keep in mind the maintenance and responsibilities required to maintain another home.
Construction Process
Any building project will create temporary disruptions to your daily routine. Contractors, deliveries, and construction noise become part of life for several months. Some families can handle such stress better than others.
Consider the timing as well. Starting construction during busy family periods adds unnecessary pressure. As such, plan around major life events, holidays, and work commitments.
Build a Carriage House with DeGroot
DeGroot Custom Homes specializes in creating carriage homes throughout Kelowna. View our portfolio of carriage houses, and see for yourself what incredible work we do.
Our expertise makes the complex process simple for you. We handle everything from initial design to final inspection. We also understand local zoning laws and permit requirements, so leave the complicated legal matters to us.
Ready to get started? Contact us today and we’ll help you determine if a prefab carriage house or custom design works best for your needs.