An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is more commonly known as a mother-in-law apartment or granny
unit. It’s basically a smaller home that you build onto your existing property, used to provide housing to
family members, like parents or grandparents, who want to be close to you but don’t have a space of
their own house.
Building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) allows you to have the best of both worlds by providing extra
housing on your property but still staying within limits and regulations. With ADUs, you’re able to create
extra dwelling or secondary interior housing on a single-family lot. Whether you need a home office,
guest suites, rental units, or Airbnbs; applications of Accessory Dwelling Unit are multitude.
Whether you're thinking about building a detached new construction ADU, adding on to your current
home with an addition or attached ADU, or any other combination of these ideas – we've got the details
covered!
Types of ADUs
There are several types of ADUs you can build, depending on your needs and budget.
- A detached new construction ADU is ideal if you have the land and resources to build from
scratch.
- An addition or attached ADU is a great option if you want to add on to your existing home.
- Above garage ADUs are perfect for those who want to utilize extra space in their garage, and
garage conversions can be a cost-effective way to create an ADU.
- Finally, basement conversions are a great option if you have an unfinished basement that you
want to put to use.
Things to consider
You may have to obtain a permit before you can build an accessory dwelling unit, and the type of unit
you can build is dictated by zoning laws. The process of obtaining a permit can be lengthy and
expensive, so it's important to do your research beforehand. Once you have a permit, the next step is to
choose the type of unit you want to build. Anyhow, here’re some important things to consider while
building an Accessory Dwelling units (ADUs):
- It’s worth mentioning that California do grants residential property owners to build Accessory
Dwelling Units on their properties. However, your individual scenario may be different and
hence we recommend you speak to an experienced architect and/or lawyer.
- First, think about your reasons for building an ADU. There can be multitudes of reasons for
people to opt Accessory Dwelling Units. Are you looking to provide housing for an elderly loved
one aging in place, or are looking for multigenerational living solution, or you may want some
additional revenue stream with rental income? All these examples need some different place
and some special considerations like solution for reduced mobility.
- So, take a look at your property and see what type of ADU will work best for your space. States
allow only one ADU for a single family residence and so the provisions might be different for
your home. So, the trick is to find the balancing point what your properly allows and what your
loved ones need.
- Finally, think long-term. If you build now but don't like it later on, what will happen to your
investment? The key here is to use a universal design that’s easily accessible for all. Try using
features like flat living space with wider or sliding doors, and storage low enough to reach.
How much does it cost to build an accessory dwelling unit?
The cost of building an accessory dwelling unit can vary greatly depending on factors like size, type of
ADU, location, materials, permit, design of space, furniture and landscaping. Generally, in California you
can expect to pay between $400 and $750 per square foot. For a typical ADU, expect to spend
somewhere between $250,000 and $500,000 for design, permitting, and construction.
Anyhow, it’s difficult to know the exact number without knowing the details of your project. You can
give us a call and we’ll give you a quote fully tailored to your requirements.
The bottom line
More and more people are looking for ways to generate rental income, and one way to do that is by
building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). An ADU is a small living space that is attached or detached
from your primary residence, and it can be used for a variety of purposes, such as a rental unit, home
office, in-law suite, or even just extra storage space.
So, if adding an accessory dwelling unit appeals to you, we at SFBayADU has a lot to offer. We’re team of
skilled individuals who’re helping clients generating additional rental incomes and also increasing value
of their property. Give us a call at 408-461-9956 or hit an email at [email protected]. We look
forward to maximize your property by building an affordable ADUs.
