Yes, You Can Buy a Guest House at Costco. But Should You?

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Thinking about buying a backyard studio from Costco? Check out what you need to know before spending $17,000. [[{“value”:”

Costco’s catalog of odd and delightful finds just keeps growing. Somewhere between the giant tubs of mayo and high-end massage chairs, you may find something you didn’t expect: a 10’x12′ studio shed for $16,999.99. Yes, you read that right — Costco is selling a guest house.

But before you start picturing a cozy tiny house tucked away in your backyard, let’s dive into the details. Should you really make room in your Costco cart for a DIY backyard studio? Let’s break it down.

The $16,999.99 dream: A blank canvas or a blank check?

First, let’s address the elephant (or shed) in the room: the price. At $16,999.99, this studio shed might make your Costco membership fee seem like a drop in the bucket. That’s a solid chunk of change — especially considering you still need to figure out delivery, offloading, and assembling this bad boy yourself.

But it’s not your average garden-variety shed. It comes with all the bells and whistles you didn’t even know you needed. It has high-efficiency glass windows, French doors with brushed trim, and James Hardie siding primed and ready for whatever color palette your heart desires. Plus, that heavy-duty Galvalume roof system will shield your shed from corrosion and heat.

Sure, it’s not cheap, but you’re paying for more than just four walls and a roof. You’re getting a luxurious space that feels more like a chic backyard retreat. The possibilities are endless, whether you use it as a guest house, art studio, or glorified storage unit. Well, as long as you’re handy with a hammer (or know someone who is).

Keep in mind, though, that there’s no plumbing included — so if you plan on turning this into a functional guest house, you’ll need to bring in the professionals for that part of the project. Not quite as turnkey as a Costco rotisserie chicken, huh?

DIY assembly: Or should we say, DI-why?

This isn’t a simple pop-up tent scenario. You’re going to need a team of three or four people just to unload the massive pallets that get dropped curbside. The delivery service stops there, so it’s up to you and your crew to lug those components to their final resting spot in the backyard.

Once you’ve offloaded everything, it’s time to channel your inner contractor. The shed comes with fully panelized wall sections and easy-to-follow 3D instructions, but let’s not pretend that will make the process easy. This isn’t IKEA, folks.

While the 3D directions will certainly help, you’re still responsible for the actual labor, including constructing the heavy-duty roof system. This shed isn’t going to assemble itself.

And the interior comes completely unfinished, leaving you with a blank slate. While that’s exciting for anyone itching to flex their interior design muscles, it’s also another project — and potentially another expense. After all, if you’re paying close to $17,000 for a studio shed, do you really want to leave the inside looking like a plywood fort?

So, should you buy it?

Here’s the million-dollar (or $17,000) question: Should you buy a studio shed from Costco? Well, that depends.

If you’ve been dreaming of a sleek, modern backyard studio and have the time, skills, and friends to assemble it, then Costco’s Medano Studio Shed might just be your perfect match. It’s certainly not the cheapest or easiest project, but the final result is a versatile, aesthetically pleasing space that can serve as a home office, guest room, or creative studio.

However, if the idea of hauling pallets and spending weekends playing contractor doesn’t appeal to you, this might not be the right choice. Sure, the shed’s a beauty, but it’s still a DIY project that requires a good amount of elbow grease — and probably a few additional trips and Costco credit card charges for supplies you didn’t know you needed. Oh, and don’t forget about those plumbing upgrades if you’re planning to turn this into a proper guest house.

Ultimately, Costco delivers (literally) a luxury backyard experience, but whether it’s right for you depends on your budget, patience, and willingness to roll up your sleeves. And if you do go for it, just make sure you invite us over for a tour. We’ll bring the snacks.

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The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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