A Perfect Fit: How an Ulrich Cabin Brought Family Together in Joshua, Texas

Phillip Evans and his wife, Teresa, have lived in Joshua, Texas, for about 20 years. When Teresa’s mother, Patricia (Patty), decided it was time to leave Pennsylvania, the couple knew they wanted her close by. Patty had been a widow for many years, and as she grew older and the Pennsylvania winters felt colder, moving down to Texas was the right choice. Patty was previously living in an eight-room, two-story house, which had become difficult to manage with stairs.

Discovering Ulrich Lifestyle Structures 

The family began looking into tiny homes to place in their yard. Their "aha" moment came three or four years ago while attending the Fort Worth Stock Show. Teresa saw an Ulrich building on display with a sign advertising its potential as a mother-in-law suite. She walked in and immediately fell in love, realizing it was exactly what she had been looking for. The fact that the main Ulrich office was located nearby in Cleburne was an added bonus for the family.

Building the Perfect Suite 

They chose a 14 by 40-foot cabin for Patty. The spacious, single-story floor plan features one bedroom, one bathroom with a walk-in shower, and a large living area. Teresa was incredibly impressed by the impeccable craftsmanship, noting that the building is "overbuilt" and extremely sturdy. Unlike a travel trailer, the Ulrich building does not have wheels and does not wiggle when you walk through it. Patty’s new home also includes high, vaulted ceilings that amaze her friends back in Pennsylvania, and a split-level air conditioning unit that effortlessly keeps the space cool even in over 100-degree Texas heat.

Living the Dream 

Patty calls the cabin the best place she has ever lived. Because it is a single-story layout, she enjoys being able to see all the way from the front of the house to the back. On nice mornings, she loves sitting out on her porch in a chair to read and feel the peaceful breeze.

For Teresa, the best part is the close proximity. She loves being able to simply walk over to her mother’s house to hang out, watch sports together, or take her grocery shopping. Patty wholeheartedly agrees, noting how happy she is to have family to spend her days with instead of being alone.

Advice for Others

For those considering a mother-in-law suite of their own, the family has a few pieces of advice:

• Let them customize: Teresa advises bringing your mother-in-law along to see the options and pick out what she wants.

• Make it your own: Ulrich allows customers to pick their own colors, handles, lights, and finishes, whether they want a true cabin feel or a traditional painted and drywalled interior