Expert: Dan Griffin - 3/9/2010

Question
We are considering building a 2-story apartment garage, and I didn't know what utilities could be linked to the main house. We estimate the apartment area to be around 650 sq. ft., and the garage below to be 800 sq. ft. A family member will be living in the apartment, so I am not worried about separating utility costs. We live in the country and have an existing well, septic system (with an extra pump because our house is 4 bedroom - and leech field), electric pole on our property (feeding us and the neighbor), and a propane tank.

My question is basically a series of questions revolving around - "Can we tap into these existing utilities to feed the Apartment Garage?"

- Can I tap into our existing well to feed water to the garage? And, would I need an additional pump?
- Can I run the plumbing to the main house out pipe that runs into the septic tank?
- Can I run electrical from the main house breaker, or should I contact the electric company to run another line from the pole?
- Can I run another line from the existing propane tank to the apartment garage, or should I get another tank?

I don't plan to do these myself, a professional will be involved. I am trying to estimate out costs right now, and see what's possible and what's not.

Thanks for the help.

Answer
Tim, all of these will require a professional's opinion that can see the existing systems.

The existing well is probably fine if you've not had problems.  I don't know where your pump and pressure tank are now.  If you can tie onto the existing system after the pressure tank, the existing system should be able to handle a small bathroom and a kitchen.

The septic and lateral field is probably ok, assuming you have not had any problems.  The issue may require some calculating if you are adding kitchen, bathroom, and laundry.  YOu can either join the existing house line or go directly to the septic tank, whichever is closer and easier routing.

The electric feed from the power company is probably adequate, but I would doubt that your panel would have enough breaker space for the additional load.  It will probably work better ot set a new sub panel at the garage and feed it from the house.  If you ever thought you wanted to rent the apt, you might as well ask the power company to price a separate meter base at the garage.

I don't know what the footages are.  Again, if you ever thought you might rent the unit, a separate tank would be appropreate.  I don't know your propane service's policies.  If they will set the tank without a cost, it may be chaper than trenching in a line.

I wish I could have given you better answers.