ECHO - Building Community
ECHO is a collaborative of architects, landscape architects and designers based in Seattle, Washington, who enjoy the challenge of providing energy and space-efficient designs. Our designs are grounded in the Pacific Northwest, emphasizing a warm palette of local materials and natural light.
We believe that efficiently meeting our client needs results in the least expensive and most sustainable buildings. Our standard designs of 120 sq. ft. to 1,200 sq. ft. units are suitable for urban infill lots, environmentally sensitive areas and everywhere else. We encourage customization of these designs to best realize the potential of the individual sites.
With our partner Tangent Architects, who have completed more than 200 projects in Seattle and King County, ECHO provides construction-ready plans and permits and as well as many other services, including landscape design.
Our Services
ECHO plans can be partially or fully customized to take best advantage of their individual sites. Customization is done at an hourly office rate of $85/ hour. Other optional services are also done at an hourly office rate. Lump sum proposals are available for individual projects.
Complete contractor packages including plans, structural engineering, and building permits in Washington and Oregon are available. Permitting services for other region may be negotiated or done on at an hourly rate.
What does it cost to build a elder cottage? No firm price can be given as sites and contractor prices vary. However at this time, we anticipate construction prices to be in the $100 -$125/ sq. ft. range not including utility hookups or appliances.
Financing to build a backyard cottage can either be out of pocket, a cashout refinance, through an equity line behind a current 1st mortgage, or through a construction loan. We can recommend lenders to help you meet your specific needs.
A backyard cottage can be many things and it can be an investment strategy as well. A cottage in a good neighborhood can bring in a steady income that may in a short time pay for the value of the cottage and add long term value to your home. Contact us to aid with an assessment.
