Colorado Landlords: Pre-Building Grow Rooms for Your Tenants

[Baked Alaskan]

I have seen adds for semi-trailer style complete grow areas, but they look very expensive. Maybe an 8x8, 12x8 or 16x8 shed completely decked out. I think you hit on an interesting topic with lots of different avenues for a person to get into a business.

 

[2 Legal Co]

I have seen adds for semi-trailer style complete grow areas, but they look very expensive. Maybe an 8x8, 12x8 or 16x8 shed completely decked out. I think you hit on an interesting topic with lots of different avenues for a person to get into a business.

Yeah, I was thinking of like a 16' trailer, older... with no push-outs. So just 8'wide, and 16' long. You could go bigger but that would limit the parking and towing options.

Which is the problem with the semi units. There are a lot of HOA's that have rules against them, as being 'commercial'. Of course there are a certain amount of HOAs that won't even allow a camper trailer to be parked next to the house.

However an old camper with a new A/C unit on the roof could/would be useful. New wiring, in conduit... an exhaust outlet in one of the roof vents, a couple of inches of foam insulation to seal it up.... then you could even seal it up and do CO2..... without brain damage.

 

[2 Legal Co]

ok just had a real world idea hit me (like I said, this is a topic that I would love to see come to life in a real world application) that may be one solution

what im thinking is a trailer park type of scenario where all of the units have the option of a grow room via a converted shipping container in the back of the unit outfitted with what a grow room would and should have, pretty much all the afore mentioned.

the unit would have an "L" shape to it so there is going to be a space left between the units so that space could have a shed in it for extra storage also allowing for a parking spot as well

since all of the units would have these converted containers including them in your rental lease would be optional, if you wanted to add the grow room onto your lease agreement then I would give you the key and flip the power to the subpanel, it gets added onto your electric, I flip the switch for the water/drainage and viola, you have a fully functioning grow room added to your space that you can do what you want with.

BUT

I would have to come and inspect it because I would have to be weary of people using them as extra spaces, maybe trying to sublet them or do things with/to them outside of the grow room parameters (trust me, you'd be shocked as to how some ppl are willing to live to fly under the radar or make a lil extra cash)

OR

if your a developer with land and your building units for sale, I would have that as a selling point or option, if you want they could add the price of a fully functioning grow room as a converted shed, size of your choosing. only thing I would have to add is that the rooms would have to have tiled floors

one stipulation I would have for either developer or trailerpark scenario is that you cant do any processing of any kind within the space utilizing volatile/hazardous/flammable liquids and or chemicals (specifically pertaining to oil and or hash making), now if you wanna do that shit outside (which you should be doing anyway) then be my guest

either way, ultimately everyone has their own space and they can grow however they want

If you had a Park, you could have an option of that sort fairly simply.... a forklift to move/place them. That way the 'lot' isn't locked into being a grow spot.

 

[2 Legal Co]

I have seen adds for semi-trailer style complete grow areas, but they look very expensive. Maybe an 8x8, 12x8 or 16x8 shed completely decked out. I think you hit on an interesting topic with lots of different avenues for a person to get into a business.

If you need one and have a place to park it; the older trailers are very reasonable. I bought one out of Commerce City for the place I used to work. Small 28'er, with roll up door. Think it was a bit less than $3k, delivered and set, with an Intown tractor. Worked for what we needed but we snugged it up to an empty slot on the truck dock.... otherwise they are Tall, to get up into.

 

[Baked Alaskan]

I was thinking, not to do myself, of starting with a trailer frame with small 8" tires. Then framing up from there. Pretty simple to build. A person with a bit of knowhow and a few thousand dollars could make a go of it. Standard line and custom orders. Park and plug-in. A motovated person could have a business up and running in weeks.

 

[2 Legal Co]

I was thinking, not to do myself, of starting with a trailer frame with small 8" tires. Then framing up from there. Pretty simple to build. A person with a bit of knowhow and a few thousand dollars could make a go of it. Standard line and custom orders. Park and plug-in. A motovated person could have a business up and running in weeks.

I expect a landscaper trailer,,,, ready made, and add a cabin to it.... would be a real winner.

But I, like you am not looking for a job, Or a business for that matter.

 

[TheCleanGame]

ok now I get what your saying but look at this real world point of view and maybe youll understand why most eventually just get their own homes however they can:

You'd be surprised how many people don't want to own a home.

Let's take a look at ROI.

How much does it cost to punch 2 8" holes in a wall and put ventilation connections on them?

Add in the cost of putting in a few 120 and 240V outlets on a 20-30 amp breaker.

A 4x4 area with a floor drain.

Add $100/mo to the rent and you're golden in less than half a year.


Hell, most places downslope in Colorado will do great with just a greenhouse added on. Should I ever break down and buy a piece of property, I'd definitely appreciate a greenhouse built into the design of the house.


As for the trailer ideas? I don't see any advantage in a landlord having an outfitted trailer that can be hauled away in the night. lol Trying to keep this to simple things a landlord can do that will pay well in return.

Great stuff folks, keep it coming.

Keep it Clean!

 

[barnyard]

the shipping containers are a great idea if there is space. they would be secure.

tents might even be more cost effective for the landlord scenario. The floor drain is a tough one.

or build a grow space hive like one of those U store places and people could just rent the grow space

 

[DabOnDabs]

idk how it double posted. edit

 

[DabOnDabs]

Homeowner, and X-Renter(grower here)

If i was looking for a house on Cl to rent with my buddies, knowing I wanted to grow herb,.....


I would pay 500+$ per month if the add said "MMJ Friendly landlord"


I dont give a fuck if theres a room built there already...I'll build one myself. But knowing that my landlord is MMJ sensitive..Ya huge plus. They just gotta back it up. I'll change my locks, put security cameras up and sleep with the glock, I just never wanna see my "MMJ" friendly landlord. EVER. And i'll pay for that insurance policy

 

[FRIENDinDEED]

You'd be surprised how many people don't want to own a home.

Let's take a look at ROI.

How much does it cost to punch 2 8" holes in a wall and put ventilation connections on them?

Add in the cost of putting in a few 120 and 240V outlets on a 20-30 amp breaker.

A 4x4 area with a floor drain.

Add $100/mo to the rent and you're golden in less than half a year.


Hell, most places downslope in Colorado will do great with just a greenhouse added on. Should I ever break down and buy a piece of property, I'd definitely appreciate a greenhouse built into the design of the house.


As for the trailer ideas? I don't see any advantage in a landlord having an outfitted trailer that can be hauled away in the night. lol Trying to keep this to simple things a landlord can do that will pay well in return.

Great stuff folks, keep it coming.

Keep it Clean!

OK

I agree with you on the trailer thing, that's kinda iffy, I see the implications but all in all very iffy. and theft of the unit is possible and heres why I say that: at my last job the security contract was suspended because there was an incident where some guys pulled up to the facility (now be clear this is a health care/nursing home facility in the a busy area of the newark) , were wearing masks, had their license plates on the van covered in plastic and were able to steal the/ a generator for the facility, security did nothing but call the police so I guess the facility expected them to do more and this is not a small facility so I imagine it may have been an auxiliary unit, so trust me if ppl can steal a generator from a big ass facility in a densely populated area of a major city then taking a trailer my be a gan initiation stunt at best

with your option NOW we can get an idea of what kind of space a renting grower would want or what your thinking, ok 4x4 is not a bad area so your talking about a small personal grow/grower then?

and believe me when I tell you, those costs to add on to an existing unit are astronomical! your talking electrical and plumbing and those can some of the most lucrative areas in the field of construction!

now if your talking about a new construction with the optional room built in then it becomes an expense on the construction/architecture side which isn't bad but still a cost; if you add it as an existing spare/extra bathroom then your golden BUT if you add that as a grow room . . . dude, no fucking way would I imagine it being just another $100 a month!? nah son, lmao, nah. and advertising/selling it as a grow area/room YOU HAVE TO start talking about insurance and liability and that's real world ($100 extra?! lol, naaaah son, naaaah), no way around especially if your the one that owns/rents out the property.

you gotta step out of the realm of wanting to be a renter and start thinking about "what if I had to rent this place to someone" and in a real world application, so your gonna have to get that knowledge on your own, find out how much regular additions/perks/extras cost when selling a unit, then you can start to come up with real world application and prices to charge.

now if you want/can add those things yourself then be my guest and I say that because lord knows I would do it before I called a soul else to do it.

If you had a Park, you could have an option of that sort fairly simply.... a forklift to move/place them. That way the 'lot' isn't locked into being a grow spot.

well that would be the whole point, is to have a particular place where you would eventually have a community of growers, and it would make sense to have a converted shipping container/trailer for each unit because you would have to get into the realm of having to store unused units someplace when not being used, you increase your chances for accidents having to move things back and forth so it would make more sense to just have the unit there as an option and inform ppl of it, you know, that way its there, no need to be moving anything back and forth, no need for storage and its a simple give and go with a potential renter: you want to rent the grow room option ok cool, heres the extra costs and heres your key "give and go".

if it were me, shit I would go so far as to set up a hydro/garden shop right on the damned property, so it would really be a one stop shop sort of thing. not only do you have a grow spot but a fully stocked supply place on premise too?! no need to order anything, no need for putting yourself out there amongst strangers in other stores . . . yeah I would pay for that.

ppl to trade cuts with, a farmers market type atmosphere, all types of vegetables, herbs,plants being sold/traded . . . awe man, like I said this idea has/is a real world application so hell yeah I could talk about this shit to no end!

 

[BredForMeds]

its a great idea.. I think especially because in the next 2 years.. u will see 100s if not 1000s of kids 21 years old.. some older.. moving on down.. and they will have a few grand in there pocket.. and a uhaul.. looking for a place to rent.. and grow for themselves.. and maybe expand.. but still a GOOD LIL 2 bedroom apartment with a nice 8x4 room setup, shit I know people that would be down next week. LOL

but a house.. in the shape of a rectangle.. with rooms around the inside area .. and have the greenhouse inside the walls of the house would be fucking disgusting.. lol my dream house..

 

[TheCleanGame]

if you add it as an existing spare/extra bathroom then your golden BUT if you add that as a grow room . . . dude, no fucking way would I imagine it being just another $100 a month!?

Where did you read "Grow Room" for $100/mo? I said plain hookups.

you gotta step out of the realm of wanting to be a renter and start thinking about "what if I had to rent this place to someone"

You need to step out of the realm of "Everyone wants a huge grow room and to own a house." I'm definitely thinking this from the landlords perspective and was the whole reason I started the thread. I've worked construction and have a general idea of the costs for these things.

I'm talking simple and you keep talking full blown. Yes, it would be awesome to have a pre-built 12x25 concrete room with multiple floor drains, ventilation connections and electrical hookups... yes, people would pay a lot extra for that. Those people are also looking to buy houses because of their income level.


My main focus is the landlord and tenant situation in rentals.
Colorado says 6 plants. 3 in flower at any time, for adults 21 and over. The standard house has 2 adults and that makes for 12 plants. A 4x4 is plenty for a 1K flower room for 99% of coloradans right now.

Hell, a 400w grow is enough for most single adults. lol

Keep it Clean!

 

[2 Legal Co]

You'd be surprised how many people don't want to own a home.




As for the trailer ideas? I don't see any advantage in a landlord having an outfitted trailer that can be hauled away in the night. lol Trying to keep this to simple things a landlord can do that will pay well in return.

Great stuff folks, keep it coming.

Keep it Clean!

The trailer ideas (from my point of perspective), would be in How to have a business (rentals), which would facilitate growing in any place you have a parking spot..... and some utility hook ups.

As a landlord renting out residences, I wouldn't want to be constrained to growers as a tenant market. One act by the city/county/municipality, and all your investment $s spent on making it happen are wiped out. So much for ROI.


Not familiar with the mentality of 'not wanting to own a home'. I only rented until I could figure out a way to get the deed in my name. What would cause/create that thought process?

To me that equates to Privatization/subcontracting services or sectors of a business. Just adds a layer of management that you didn't have previously.... and yes, they will want to get paid as well.

 

[TheCleanGame]

As a landlord renting out residences, I wouldn't want to be constrained to growers as a tenant market. One act by the city/county/municipality, and all your investment $s spent on making it happen are wiped out. So much for ROI.

Constrained?

How are a few simple hookups going to constrain you to growers? Have you been to Colorado lately? There are more and more growers every day and they range from kids to almost deads.

Keep it Clean!

 

[2 Legal Co]

Constrained?

How are a few simple hookups going to constrain you to growers? Have you been to Colorado lately? There are more and more growers every day and they range from kids to almost deads.

Keep it Clean!

Having been a landlord, and lived in Co since the 70s......I do live in Colo year round, albeit in two different places. lol

IF you have a space that is dedicated to one thing... you do tend to alienate the renters who don't/won't use the space for it's intended purpose.

What if you showed up to a rental and part of it were for welding???? and you don't/won't weld anything? Just dead space..... and your question would be. Can you convert that to a woodworking shop for me, and I'll sign a 12 month lease...

back to the ROI.

Which is why I came up with the idea of trailers.... and expanded the idea of cargo containers to being portable. Especially in a Trailer Park scenario, where lots are small and even parking is at a premium.

If you used the cargo containers, you'd want to have 'storage' units and 'growing' units.... That way if square footage of dirt was restrictive, the use of that footage would become flexible, with the containers being options would simply ADD to the appeal of the place. Or you could have an additional parking space with no 'shed'.

Add to that, the reasonable expectation that over a period of time the idea of growing will probably change for a lot of folks. Some won't want to dedicate the time. Others will want to grow larger amounts. Either way you are designing permanent facilities for a moving target unless you design in flexible uses.

Perhaps a Laundry like hook up with a 'drain pan' floor?

Or maybe Laundry hookups back to back for two areas.

One or both to grow....

One for laundry, and one convertible to a closet, for non growers.

 

[FRIENDinDEED]

Where did you read "Grow Room" for $100/mo? I said plain hookups.


You need to step out of the realm of "Everyone wants a huge grow room and to own a house." I'm definitely thinking this from the landlords perspective and was the whole reason I started the thread. I've worked construction and have a general idea of the costs for these things.

I'm talking simple and you keep talking full blown. Yes, it would be awesome to have a pre-built 12x25 concrete room with multiple floor drains, ventilation connections and electrical hookups... yes, people would pay a lot extra for that. Those people are also looking to buy houses because of their income level.


My main focus is the landlord and tenant situation in rentals.
Colorado says 6 plants. 3 in flower at any time, for adults 21 and over. The standard house has 2 adults and that makes for 12 plants. A 4x4 is plenty for a 1K flower room for 99% of coloradans right now.

Hell, a 400w grow is enough for most single adults. lol

Keep it Clean!

lol, yeah I know im always talking full blown, sorry tis' me curse!

ok so your into construction yes? awright, you tell me how much would you charge me to convert and existing bathroom , lets say I have the space, from an existing 1/2 bath to a full bath to your spec which is 4x4? and from what I know you've gotta:
* do the conversion, or even better the addition!
*then you've gotta install the outlets,
*run the wiring from the box to handle the higher voltages (where is the breaker box in relation to the space?)
*add the breaker or breakers (may even have to swap the boxes out if they cant handle the wattage or don't have the extra slots)
*what if I have to go from 100amp to 200amp service?
*cut the intakes/exhausts
*then theres the inspection

***a 4x4 spot with a 20 or 30 amp breaker to it is just gonna have a 1x1k on it? yeah right, sorry that's just not human nature as ive seen in action

and you know once you start talking about inspections you have to start talking about things being up to code correct? whether its house or home and since you've done or are into construction then you know that that's what it boils down to.

ok so say its an:
ADDITION: as the renter I have to show this "room" to a potential buyer and hope that they "get it" as to what it is or can be

OR as a

RENOVATION: as the renter im listing it with two full baths and have to convince potential buyers/rentee's that they don't actually need a toilet or shower for the other full bathroom and once again hope that they get it once again

now what part of any of that is gonna come up to $100? if your talking about the work, ok then that's nice of you BUT unless your servicing all of Colorado then that's not going to be the going rate even on speculation

and even if all of this is done to an existing unit then that's still not going to be the price cause you've gotta charge for supplies and labor and I STILL have to have it inspected and hope it passes code. just because the plants are legal at the state level doesn't mean that the ramifications of renting/new construction/ reno an existing structure are gonna just fall in line as well.

all in all whatever you have to deal with construction wise you have to deal with on the per unit level and the personal home level its construction no matter what, its codes no matter what, lol, and its not going to be just $100 no matter what.

nitty gritty of it from my point of view? I have an existing property that I have/want to do a conversion on to add a grow room as a renting/selling point your givin me an extra $350-$500 in addition to the base rent of the unit; a studio would be in the 350 range a 2bdrm would be in the 500 range if you've got a 3bdrm then you seriously might as well just go on ahead and get your home

 

[Baked Alaskan]

Seems like it is too much money for initial construction and insurance will go up and damage to the property, etc. I think a second bedroom with a tent is easier, cheaper and readily available.

Obviously trailers can be secured from theft. There are too many ways to list but take the tires off for one.

 

[FRIENDinDEED]

Having been a landlord, and lived in Co since the 70s......I do live in Colo year round, albeit in two different places. lol

IF you have a space that is dedicated to one thing... you do tend to alienate the renters who don't/won't use the space for it's intended purpose.

What if you showed up to a rental and part of it were for welding???? and you don't/won't weld anything? Just dead space..... and your question would be. Can you convert that to a woodworking shop for me, and I'll sign a 12 month lease...

back to the ROI.

Which is why I came up with the idea of trailers.... and expanded the idea of cargo containers to being portable. Especially in a Trailer Park scenario, where lots are small and even parking is at a premium.

If you used the cargo containers, you'd want to have 'storage' units and 'growing' units.... That way if square footage of dirt was restrictive, the use of that footage would become flexible, with the containers being options would simply ADD to the appeal of the place. Or you could have an additional parking space with no 'shed'.

Add to that, the reasonable expectation that over a period of time the idea of growing will probably change for a lot of folks. Some won't want to dedicate the time. Others will want to grow larger amounts. Either way you are designing permanent facilities for a moving target unless you design in flexible uses.

Perhaps a Laundry like hook up with a 'drain pan' floor?

Or maybe Laundry hookups back to back for two areas.

One or both to grow....

One for laundry, and one convertible to a closet, for non growers.

that seems to be a real world aspect of things, I guess having it as an option would mean moving the unit onto the property if one so chooses

I guess the reason I would do it the way I suggested is that I would advertise the trailerpark as such so I would want to have the necessary units to accomadate those seeking what is being offered; it would be a place that people who want to grow their own can come and do just that, without the hassles of being in and amongst others that may or may not be willing to live so close to non smokers as you would have in a unit domicile or building. I mean if Colorado is being overrun with growers then I don't think it would be that hard to sell or rent that sort of thing

and as a grower myself im thinking about what a grower would need in regard to keeping moms/ clones/flowering plants,etc and a 4x4 spot just wouldn't do it for me

maybe having the storage unit wired so that it can be used as either storage or a grow room since your right in having a space that is just "sitting" there, I mean I wouldn't mind it but then again that just me and it something that would have to function realisticly, and yeah, having a dead space on/in a rental situation is not realistic since no money is/would be generated.

and parking is truly important

 

[2 Legal Co]

I'm not totally familiar with Residential Codes; However, I suspect that having 240vac in a bathroom presents some 'special' consideration. Where as laundry setups don't seem to occasion the same level of concern.

Consequently, I'm still thinking that back to back laundry hook ups with a catch pan drain on the floor, in both would be good.

You'd also want to have either doors, or provisioning for curtains. Not that it'd be 'optional' at that point,,, just there.

So you get laundry and a closet.
Two closets.
or Not one, but Two grow spaces.

Probably should be designed into the blue prints.
You might also want to pay attention which way the floor joists run with respect to adding a drain, and sparks, etc., into a bedroom in the larger apartments. That way you could do a small remodel and have a 2 bedroom with a grow room, should you become popular enough to require units with large 'rooms'.

I just measured my washer and dryer; They are 27" each wide, and 32"s deep. So a 'laundry space' would need to be 6'x3' minimum. 6'6"x3'6" would be pretty acceptable I'd think? Back to back for simplicity of 'build', would be cheapest but less 'user friendly'. lol