Budget Breakdown: This Austin Couple's $1.1 Million Renovation Started With a Yurt

While living in a yurt on their rental property's backyard, Margaret Tucker and Steph Steele decided it was time to bring in Side Angle Side to create the ranch home of their dreams.

Aug 30, 2024 - 14:34
Budget Breakdown: This Austin Couple's $1.1 Million Renovation Started With a Yurt

While living in a yurt on their rental property's backyard, Margaret Tucker and Steph Steele decided it was time to bring in Side Angle Side to create the ranch home of their dreams.

One of the couple’s favorite new details is the built-in, L-shaped bookcase in the den.

It was the start of the COVID lockdown in 2020 and Steph Steele and her wife, Margaret Tucker, were in the backyard of their rental property living in a yurt. It was a decision that surprised their friends, but then again, Steph, who founded Austin’s bespoke Tiny Grocer market, and Margaret, a family law attorney, had long loved making the short drive from their shared home in East Austin for weekend staycations in the property’s backyard. 

Steph, Margaret, and their two dogs spent 2.5 years living in a 525-square-foot yurt on their 1.77 acre property in Austin’s <b>TK</b> neighborhood while their home was being designed and remodeled.

Steph, Margaret, and their two dogs spent 2.5 years living in a 525-square-foot yurt on their property in Austin’s Oak Hill neighborhood while their home was being remodeled. 

Photo by Casey Dunn

Side Angle Side led the renovation of this 2,350-square-foot home for Steph Steele, the owner of Austin’s Tiny Grocer stores, and her wife, Margaret Tucker, who works as a family law attorney.

Side Angle Side led the renovation of this 2,350-square-foot home for Steph Steele, the owner of Austin’s Tiny Grocer stores, and her wife, Margaret Tucker, who works as a family law attorney.   

Photo by Casey Dunn

It was during their time quarantining in the backyard’s yurt that the couple had a revelation of sorts, realizing that this property was where they wanted to be long term. However, they couldn’t live in a yurt forever. Before they could move, they needed to renovate the main home on the plot.  

$45,427
Sitework 

$80,692
Concrete

$24,049
Masonry

$8,965
Metals

$226,419
Wood & Plastics 

$55,647
Thermal & Moisture

$59,113
Windows & Doors

$103,015
Finishes 

$2,190
Hardware 

$74,904
Mechanical 

$56,705
Electrical 

$117,940
Builder fee 

$86,000
Architect fee

$42,000
Solar

$26,000
Rainwater tank

$27,506
Appliance package

$80,350
Roof


Grand Total:$1,116,922


The architects at Side Angle Side added five pairs of skylights during the renovation: two pairs in the kitchen and three in the living room.

The architects added five pairs of skylights during the renovation: two pairs in the kitchen and three in the living room. 

Photo by Casey Dunn

See the full story on Dwell.com: Budget Breakdown: This Austin Couple's $1.1 Million Renovation Started With a Yurt
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