PDA

View Full Version : Attached vs. detached infills


red sky
03-19-2012, 09:54 PM
I know there is no straight forward answer to this but I am wondering what the price difference would be for an attached vs. detached infill? Obviously assuming same size, year built, quality, etc.

Bill Bumface
03-20-2012, 09:31 AM
Throwing you my 2.5 year old knowledge for probably areas you weren't looking in, I was seeing about 100-150K.

Travis Munroe
03-20-2012, 09:41 AM
^^ I would say that's a fair ball park although as you admit in the OP, there really is not any set equation.

red sky
03-20-2012, 11:46 AM
That number seems extrememly high to me but what do I know. Obviously there is no formula or anything. I was thinking 30-50K kind of thing

Knalus
03-20-2012, 03:35 PM
I would never, ever, ever buy a high-end duplex.

fundmark19
03-20-2012, 03:43 PM
I would never, ever, ever buy a high-end duplex.

Reason?

Bill Bumface
03-20-2012, 03:49 PM
I was scared off it by the fact a neighbor controls part of my building envelope. What if there is a leak on the roof on the other side the neighbor doesn't detect/fix and toxic mold ends up spreading to my unit?

What happens when it's new roof/siding time and the other neighbor doesn't want to spring? Mis-matched exterior?

Living in a condo for a while I also really now enjoy being able to make whatever noise I want without worrying about it. Also, not smelling anyone's cooking smell is great, as well is having windows on all 4 walls of your house.

I ended up getting neither. Detached are too narrow unless you're rich. I got a renovated 100 year old house on a 50' lot for way less than either option.

fundmark19
03-21-2012, 08:35 AM
That is all very true really depends who your neighbors are. We lucked out with our duplex and ours have become very close friends so I don't see those issues arising. I have always wanted to build an infill or duplex some where inner city ish and duplex just gives you that 4 extra feet per unit which is nice and cheaper building costs.

Knalus
03-21-2012, 10:13 AM
Reason?

If I'm going to spend that much money on a piece of property, I will look for one that is actually mine, and not one that I have to share with a neighbor.

fundmark19
03-21-2012, 10:31 AM
To each their own. Personally I think I would take the extra couple feet of living space inside the house then wasted space between the two houses when compared to infills.

fundmark19
03-21-2012, 10:51 AM
Are you a new build fotze? I am wondering the differences would be from doing a custom build like an infill compared to cookie cutter build. I am cookie cutter and you can hear certain things in certain places from the neighbors. When we were looking at the homes we tested the show home walls extensively by yelling and knocking and no sounds ever got through. I am wondering how much is caused by construction standards. Kermitology is building an infill so I'm sure he can help me out with that aspect once he gets moved in.

kevman
03-21-2012, 10:53 AM
Kind of related but...

Does anyone have experience with an attached garage? They seem to be pretty popular in Sunnyside/Hillhurst with both attached and detached infills. I don't have a garage and my neighbours are in desperate need of a new garage so I was going to propose the idea. I reckon on a small lot the extra 4ft. is a pretty big selling feature!

tvp2003
03-21-2012, 12:30 PM
What happens when it's new roof/siding time and the other neighbor doesn't want to spring? Mis-matched exterior?

This is what I've always wondered. I've seen a lot of fugly duplexes out there (mostly older ones but you could say the same for some of the newer ones), and unless you can negotiate something with your neighbor, aren't you basically stuck (i.e. unless you're willing to do a mis-match exterior)?



I ended up getting neither. Detached are too narrow unless you're rich. I got a renovated 100 year old house on a 50' lot for way less than either option.

Nice. What community?

moncton golden flames
03-21-2012, 12:56 PM
To each their own. Personally I think I would take the extra couple feet of living space inside the house then wasted space between the two houses when compared to infills.

you don't get any more space in a duplex over a detached house. yes, you get extra width, but the 45% max lot coverage will shorten the length of the duplex more than a detached. assuming all things are the same, you get the exact same square footage on either a detached or duplex.

Bill Bumface
03-21-2012, 01:29 PM
Nice. What community?

Bridgeland. I couldn't afford a NW/SW postal code like all the other fancy people in this thread ;)

There are definite cons to an older house (no front hall closet, have to go down to the scary basement to do laundry, is way smaller than a new house) but the bigger yard and oversize garage were big selling points.

I do like the extra width of attached, and the extra light you get with a detached. There are tradeoffs will all 3, I was open to any of them and just chose the house/lot I overall liked best.

Knalus
03-21-2012, 02:23 PM
Bridgeland. I couldn't afford a NW/SW postal code like all the other fancy people in this thread ;)

There are definite cons to an older house (no front hall closet, have to go down to the scary basement to do laundry, is way smaller than a new house) but the bigger yard and oversize garage were big selling points.

I do like the extra width of attached, and the extra light you get with a detached. There are tradeoffs will all 3, I was open to any of them and just chose the house/lot I overall liked best.

I did the same as you, except Renfrew, not Bridgeland.

Bill Bumface
03-21-2012, 02:30 PM
I did the same as you, except Renfrew, not Bridgeland.

I'm jealous you don't have to walk up the hill for 10 cent wings ;)

Knalus
03-21-2012, 03:01 PM
I'm jealous you don't have to walk up the hill for 10 cent wings ;)

And I'm jealous you don't have to walk up the hill to get home from downtown. :cool:

surferguy
03-21-2012, 03:23 PM
I am jealous of all of you, you have garages...

:whaa:

ranchlandsselling
03-22-2012, 08:25 AM
I'd never do attached again (my comparison is semi-detached townhouse). I'd like windows on both side and the noise between the wall. I don't complain when I can hear my attached buddy because frankly I don't really care. His wife however likes to get him to call whenever they can hear me. But the biggest thing is I don't want to say hello to someone beside me. I like the distance between a SFH driveway and front door.

Yeah I see you all the way over there at your house, that's right, I can just give you a friendly wave without having to chat for 10 minutes. . . Yup, waving and walking in the house, see ya another day. Oh, there you are again as I'm rushing out? Guess what, I'm just going to do a friendly neighbor wave and walk straight out of here without having a conversation about it. . . . LOVE IT!

Bill Bumface
03-22-2012, 11:11 AM
Yeah I see you all the way over there at your house, that's right, I can just give you a friendly wave without having to chat for 10 minutes. . . Yup, waving and walking in the house, see ya another day. Oh, there you are again as I'm rushing out? Guess what, I'm just going to do a friendly neighbor wave and walk straight out of here without having a conversation about it. . . . LOVE IT!

That doesn't always work. My old neighbor across the street would accost me whenever he'd see me out in the yard. The only thing that saved me was a rear drive garage so I'd be safe for the winter when he'd never see me. It really pissed me off that he'd waltz right in my yard through the closed front gate and strike up a conversation when I was obviously busy.

Teh_Bandwagoner
04-20-2012, 04:37 PM
My dream would be to pick up a larger inner city lot in a couple years with an defunct house, tear it down and put up a duplex, with an entrance between the two units. Then I'd move my mom into the other side. That way, as she ages, I can still be around to take care of some maintenance and keep an eye on her, but still have a place to call my own.

fundmark19
04-20-2012, 07:26 PM
Same with me but no door and any friend or family member beside me

I-Hate-Hulse
04-28-2012, 11:51 PM
Kind of related but...

Does anyone have experience with an attached garage? They seem to be pretty popular in Sunnyside/Hillhurst with both attached and detached infills. I don't have a garage and my neighbours are in desperate need of a new garage so I was going to propose the idea. I reckon on a small lot the extra 4ft. is a pretty big selling feature!


I've got one on my infill - it's perfectly fine as long as both parties are using it for normal garage purposes. Gives you an extra bit of space for you to either have an oversized garage or a bit of outside storage. There are code requirements for the dividing wall for fire rating. I'd recommend getting a party wall agreement to spell out requirements if you need to replace the roof or anything. Other than that, it's pretty much a normal garage. I finished and heated my garaged but my neighbor didn't - it's yours to do with as you please.



One thing for the attached infill to consider if you're looking at A/C - make sure there is room for the A/C unit either in the front yard or front yard (or a specific spot on the one clear side you have). There are code regulations on obstructing your one clear side of the house and most of the time it means you can't put it on the side of the house.