New home construction
Guest Houses, Backyard Cottages & ADUs in the Lake Livingston Area
A second, smaller home on land you already own, for family, guests, a home office or rental income.
More living space, on the land you have
An accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, is a smaller, self-contained home on the same property as a main house. Around the lake you will hear them called guest houses, backyard cottages, granny flats, mother-in-law suites or tiny homes. The idea is the same: a separate place to live without buying more land.
Onalaska Builders builds guest houses and ADUs with our own crews, including the site work and foundation they sit on.
We build:
- Guest houses and backyard cottages
- Granny flats and in-law suites
- Tiny homes
- Detached living space for family, guests or rental
Why people build them
Popular uses for a guest house
- Aging parents or family who want to live close by but keep their own space.
- Visitors and weekend guests, especially at a lake house.
- A home office or studio away from the main house.
- Rental income, where the rules for your property allow it.
- A first home on the land to live in while a larger custom home is planned.
Before you build
Can I put a guest house on my lake lot?
Often, but it depends on the property. Before planning, check:
- Deed restrictions and HOA rules. Many lake subdivisions limit the number, size or use of buildings on a lot.
- City or county requirements, which differ between property inside city limits and unincorporated land.
- Septic capacity. A second dwelling adds to the load on a septic system, and a larger or separate system may be needed.
- Utilities. How power and water will reach the new building.
- Space and slope. Room for the building, access and drainage. See grading.
- Rules near the water if the site is close to the shoreline.
Other options
Guest house, garage conversion or addition?
A new detached building is not the only way to add living space:
- A new guest house or ADU gives the most privacy and flexibility, with its own entrance and space.
- A garage conversion turns an existing garage into an apartment, office or gym, using a structure you already have.
- A home addition adds space attached to the main house.
- A pool house suits changing rooms and entertaining rather than full-time living.
Lake and timber country
Guest houses around Lake Livingston
Lake properties and rural acreage across Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker counties often have room for a second building. We build guest houses and ADUs within about 35 miles of Onalaska, including Livingston, Point Blank, Coldspring, Shepherd, Groveton, Trinity, Huntsville, Cleveland and Willis. See our full service area.
More new home construction services
Related services
Questions
Guest Houses & ADUs questions
What is an ADU?
An accessory dwelling unit is a smaller, self-contained home on the same property as a main house. Guest houses, backyard cottages, granny flats and tiny homes are common types.
Can I build a guest house on my lake lot?
Often, but it depends on the property. Check deed restrictions and HOA rules, city or county requirements, septic capacity, utilities, space and slope, and any rules near the shoreline.
Can I rent out a guest house?
That depends on the rules that apply to your property, such as deed restrictions, HOA rules and local requirements. Check them before you plan the build around rental income.
How do I get an estimate for a guest house?
Call (806) 480-0328 or send the estimate form with the town or ZIP code, roughly how big you want the guest house and how you plan to use it.
Get started
Thinking about a guest house?
Tell us where your property is and how you would use the space. Send the form or give us a call.