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Greetings,

(I hope this is in the right section)

I am looking for ideas and assistance designing two homes. My wife and I currently rent a large house with my parents (Just moved in with them about 10 months ago); big enough to where we have our own privacy, but can still interact for meals and while running a home software business.

We were planning on having a custom home built on a large lot, that would also meet the aforementioned criteria. However, my wife and I have been married for 6 years, and are planning on having kids soon, so we have decided to modify our plans.

Now we wish to still purchase a large lot, but build two smaller houses right next to each other. This way we are still close (Because of the home business and my parents fading health), but separate, giving us some privacy. We do not desire for the homes to be connected at this time.

I designed an initial floorplan for us all living together, but I've been unable to come up with one for the new plan. I have no experience designed floorplans, so when viewing the image, please don't be too judgmental :P.

We want to take this large home plan and somewhat split them in half. And here is where I would like assistance.

Their home should have a 1 car garage, their master bedroom w/ "His & Her Closets", Bathroom suite, a guest bathroom, a second bedroom for their office, a laundry room and a kitchen that is open to the dinning area and family room.

Our home should have a 2 car garage, our master bedroom (big enough to also house my workout equipment), "His & Her Closets", bathroom suite, a guest bathroom, a Jack and Jill Bedroom set up (with it's own bathroom in the center), a laundry room, a kitchen that opens up to the dinning area and family room and another family room to contain our "Office" (Which will have 2 desks, a long couch and entertainment center).

The backyard can be separate or combined, this doesn't really matter too much. But we would like the utilities to be combined for the houses.

I am hoping someone can assist me with the design, seeing as how I have no clue how to do it on my own =/. The price per sqft is around $95-100, and we are looking to spend about $320,000 or less if possible. The design that is attached only costs $270,000 when I inquired to the company (Without the pool).

Just some random thoughts.

If you want 2 homes on the same lot have you checked with building dept. (city/county). Some require a minimum acreage to do this and some do not allow it at all.

Do you want the 2 homes connected with one entrance?

Your bedroom and baths are HUGE. Your bedroom at 24' long has enough room for gym stuff so you don't need workout room. If you reduce the size of the rooms it would give you a lot of options.

Consider combinging the his/her closets into one. It gives you more space to work with and a lot of alternatives for layouts that would end up giving you a lot more storage.

Is the area off the entry a living room? If so, it is quite small. If not and it is a foyer it is quite large.

Don't take this as judgemental. Designing a layout is hard work and everyione wants different things. But it seems you need to scale things back to meet you budget. I sincerely question your estimate to build. From your figures you have well over 4000 sq feet. At $100 that is 400,000 to build.

Good ideas above!

You don't say where you live; put it in your profile as I have done so we will know. The location will effect the floor plan. For example, if you are in snow country, you may want to include a covered connection between the two homes.

In SoCA I had occasion a couple times to look at two families wanting to share a house or lot. The building dept would easily approve a "mother-in-law" apartment on the same lot but there were restrictions about how many entrances and how many kitchens.

Here, separate living quarters come under a whole different set of code rules depending upon how many kitchens and entrances.

Two separate houses raises zoning limitations. Some places may not care but others will require that you go before the county board with a formal request to change the zoning from R1 to R2 or the like, and that may not be approved if neighbors object.

We share a place with one daughter and SIL and we like it; we particularly enjoy when his kids visit every other week. They add some spice to our otherwise dull life!

Well the area will aftereffect the attic plan. For example, if you are in snow country, you may wish to cover a covered affiliation amid the two homes.

Why haven't you consulted an architect?