All Forum Posts by: Greg Kitzmiller

-- Zipkit looks beautiful! (and cheaper than boxabl!!)

I think my issue was I was running into architects who just, for whatever reason, were giving me large bids (or rejecting the project as too small). I didn't really want to take on DIY, but that's what I've decided to do. Luckily, so far everyone I've talked with at City of Portland has been gracious with me being an amateur asking questions and instead of a conventional route for the site plan / architectural drawings I'm at least starting out with outsourcing it to an architect in Pakistan (and then adapting the lumia drawings myself). I'm learning a lot and the city has also had some cool recommendations (how to deal with heating and the concrete slab with sleepers, recommendation to get pre-engineered trusses which avoids increased structural review).

 Originally posted by @Roarke Van Brunt:Contractor in Portland here[..]

-- As far as utilities go, the detached garage already has a separate panel and I've had an electrician out saying it's plenty of juice for what I'm trying to do (sorry, don't remember the technical details).

As plumbing goes, I've had a couple quotes from plumbers between 10-20K. That said, I didn't know ADU requirements means the plumbing can't be teed into an existing sewer line, so it may change going out to the street. Additionally, have to work around the concrete slab/driveway.

New plan is to just finish converting the garage and instead of building out, raising the roof enough to get a second level. I'm working through Portland's guidelines and code for converting a detached garage. I'm at the point where at least I know it's doable with zoning and permitting, given I modify the eaves and meet the regulations for exterior wall protection.

Offshore architect still working on the floorplan, but conceptually this is what I've decided on.

To be honest, I haven't gotten to looking into SDCs, thank you for your tips I will get on the worksheets to figure it out.

Boxabl seems like the most simple solution, but I'm fine learning these skills that I might have a change to use in the future. To me, the value of time is important, too, so even if a boxabl were to allow me some extra cashflow so I could move onto doing other things I was weighing a lot on that over taking on a project.


Originally posted by @William Hochstedler:

CGS Tech has a decent survey on YouTube.


Thanks! Checking 'em out

I have a property with a detached garage that's partially converted that I want to convert to a living space. I've talked with architects and contractors and have gotten either a lot of friction or >100k estimates to add a bathroom/kitchenette to a detached garage. 

Boxabl for $50k seems like a simple way to cut through the labyrinth that an addition seems right now. 

I live in Portland. Is the above a good assessment or am I just not finding the right people?

if I'm on the right track are there any good alternatives to boxabl?

I recently bought a house with a partially-converted detached garage. It has a mini-split for heating/cooling. The issue I've ran up against is the mini-split does nothing against the concrete slab which seems to absorb and slow-release whatever outside temperature it's been in the past 12 or so hours.

I'm a complete noob. Doing some research it looks like I can do a moisture barrier and sub-floor - not sure if that'll help improve things. Running the mini split 12 hours a day gives me a large bump in my electricity bill. My only other thought is just that maybe the mini split is old and not particularly good.

Any help/advice would be appreciated.