ADU Process 800-918-8991

ADU Process

What is an ADU?

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are known by many names: granny flats, in-law units, backyard cottages, secondary units and more! No matter what you call them, ADUs are an innovative, affordable, effective option for adding much needed quality housing.  They may be attached or detached from a main house that exists on a lot with another house.  ADUs are a quality built construction with energy efficiency.  A smaller Junior ADU may also be added.  This will increase property value, PLUS offer potential rental income!

What are the benefits of adding an ADU or two?

  • ADUs are an affordable type of home to construct in California because they usually do not require paying for land, major new infrastructure, structured parking or elevators. 
  • NEW state guidelines allow more than one ADU on your property. (certain guidelines and restrictions may apply).  This will provide an additional source of income for homeowners.
  • ADUs are built with cost-effective wood frame construction, energy efficient code compliant, quality built with a permanent foundation.  Modular built ADUs are also available.
  • ADUs allow extended families to be near once another while maintaining privacy as well as adding additional square footage to your property portfolio.
  • ADUs can provide as much living space as many newly-built apartments and condominiums, suited well for couples, small families, friends, young people, renters and seniors.
  • ADUs give homeowners the flexibility to share independent living areas with family members and others, allowing seniors to age in place as they require more care.

California Cities are making it easy for you!

To help with the housing shortage that many areas in California are experiencing, laws continue to change making it very easy to add an ADU. Some cities in California have launched a program to help homeowners get an ADU on their property with affordable fees and streamlined process.

Gallery Image

LETS DESIGN YOUR ADU FOR YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS

An ADU can range in size from 250 square feet (attached) up to 1,200 square feet (detached) making it a useful tiny home addition for your main home. In 2018 and 2020, some California cities revised its ADU Ordinance. The revisions provide reliefs from various development standards making the permitting and construction process easier and more affordable. A second ordinance, also approved the creation of Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, (JADU)–up to 500 square feet–within existing dwellings (city variations may apply)

Gallery Image

You can now convert un-permitted or illegal additions legal!

If you have un-permitted structures or an illegal garage conversion on your property, with state and city ADU guidelines, this will allow you to permit those structures and bring them up to code without incurring extreme tear down costs. Our team of experts will assess the structure to convert it to a wonderful legal permitted addition.

What are the costs to add an ADU?

It depends. If you are concerned about creating rental revenue and increasing your property value or improving the overall architectural quality of your property, then you may find modular structures are suitable for your needs.  They offer good quality at a reduced cost.

 

There are options to install portable structures such as prefab drop-in structures or renovated metal containers that will range from approximately 150 square feet to 600 square feet. They range in costs from approximately $50,000 to $250,000.  There are hundreds of appealing styles with options for these types of construction that would be on the same scale as a “stick built” home.  it’s important to understand that these types of ADUs will help you to create revenue and will add value to the architectural appeal of your property. 

Our goal is to create a structure and space that compliments the architectural integrity of your home.

 

Most of these types of ADUs range from about 500 square feet up to 1,200 square feet. The of costs for ADU construction excluding the architectural soft costs and city fees will range from approximately $100,000 to $400,000. This is based on sites that will require minimal or no grading and that already have utilities close by the new ADU structure. ADU structures that are built over your garage or your home will vary in costs based on your existing structure.

 

To learn more about ADUs and what’s possible for your property, please contact us via this site or call to schedule a quick property evaluation with one of our team associates.