An ADU, or Accessory Dwelling Unit, is an accessory residential unit that has its own entrance, kitchen, and bathroom and increases the functional spaces on a property. In some cases, an ADU may be a completely separate building from the main dwelling unit on the property; in others, they may be attached but have separate exterior entrances from the main structure. In some homes, an ADU may be created by converting unused space (like a garage) in an existing home or apartment building into living quarters.
An ADU, also known as a granny flat or in-law apartment, can add convenience and extra income to your home in more than one way. If you’re interested in adding an ADU to your property, it is important to learn how an ADU can add convenience, income, and resale value to your home before you make your final decision.
Provide Extra Space
Whether you’re in a single-family home or a multi-unit property like a duplex or quadplex (or more), adding an ADU can provide additional living space without taking up much space at all. An ADU helps you increase the number of functional rooms on your property. Whether to create a quiet workspace for you or just a space to relax, ADUs are multifunctional.
You can even use this space to conduct income-generating activities like fitness classes, beauty services, and much more. This space can help you create a separate area for work while being close to your family. The extra space is also great for hosting family or friends who are visiting you.
Doubles up as rental units
This is great for residents who already live in their homes—they get extra space for guests, extended family members, and/or nannies—and it’s also great for investors who can potentially rent out these secondary units. These units make perfect rental units for hosting travelers and are an excellent way to supplement your household income.
Creates a safe space to take care of senior citizens
If you are worried about your senior parents or relatives living by themselves, an ADU can be an excellent way to be near them to take care of them while offering them the privacy they need. Not just senior citizens, ADU is also a good space for grown-up kids to live as well.
If you are looking for a construction services company to help you create safe and senior citizen-friendly ADUs, look no further as Design Everest is who you need to partner with. Their team of structural engineers has years of experience building ADUs and are up to date regarding the zoning laws for building ADUs. The company will take care of all the permits and other documentation to ensure that adding an ADU to your property is a pleasant experience.
Increase the value of your property
Building an ADU is a pocket-friendly way of increasing the value of your property. ADUs come with a number of benefits, including a separate private space and passive income characteristics. Not to mention, homes with ADUs are always attractive to potential home buyers. Building an ADU costs much less as it uses affordable wood-frame construction.
Green Housing Option
The CO2 emissions from an ADU are much lesser than a single-family unit, cutting down the emission by 40 times comparatively. This makes it an ideal option for tenants who are looking for sustainable renting options.
An ADU, or accessory dwelling unit, can be an excellent way to increase your family’s living space or to bring in additional income without too much work on your part. However, before you begin building, it’s important to know if your city allows ADUs in the first place and whether your lot meets zoning requirements for one. Beyond that, there are some questions that will help you determine whether an ADU will be the right choice for you and your family. Some of these include:
1) How much do you want to spend on your home in terms of time or money?
2) Do you want to sell your home in the future (renting out doesn’t count)?
3) Do you like small spaces (less than 500 sq ft)?
4) Do you have the time and resources to maintain the ADU?
5) What is the expected ROI(if the ADU is being built as an investment)?
6) Are there any HOA rules in your community that restrict you from building an ADU or renting it out?
It is also important that you first determine whether you can legally build one. To do so, contact your local building department and ask if there are size or occupancy restrictions for ADUs. Some municipalities may limit these structures to no more than 800 square feet or prevent them from having full kitchens.
Design Everest is a leading construction services provider in California. It offers an array of affordable ADU engineering and architectural services. When you are looking for a service provider to build your ADU or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit ( JADU), look for someone familiar with the local zoning laws and ordinances and has experience creating functional spaces. The team at Design Everest can do all this and more for you within a quick turnaround time.
Contact us today for a free quote and consultation for your ADU needs.
