Building an ADU comes with flexibility.
Homeowners can boost their income by renting out the space, grow equity, generate extra space for friends and family to visit, or create place for productivity.
There are many options to choose from such as:
Attached Garage Conversion – Main residence parking must be provided
Interior Conversion – Converting part of an existing home in to an ADU
Addition to Existing Structure – Adding onto an existing structure whether it’s a garage or main residence.
Detached Garage Conversion – Allows different variations of placement of the structure
Ground Up Add-on – Best for corner lot properties that will have a separate driveway.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a term used to describe a second residence on the same property as an existing single-family dwelling.
An ADU can be as small as a secondary suite (1,000 sq ft or less) or more extensive than a single-family home.
The main advantages for homeowners are financial, environmental, and social.
If this is a project you’ve been thinking about for a while now, you might want to turn to IDB Enterprise for help.
While building an ADU is undoubtedly a tempting endeavor, it is not without its drawbacks.
It pays that a homeowner familiarizes himself with the pros and cons of such projects.
Pros
These days, who will say no to extra income? An ADU can be a suitable space to rent out to long-term tenants or, if you live near a tourist destination, to vacationers via Airbnb.
Depending on the house’s location and the type of home itself, adding an ADU could make your house more valuable than it already was if and when the time comes to sell.
Homes with extra bedrooms sell faster than those without them and attract higher listing prices.
If you’re like most homeowners, you probably have a good idea of what you want from your home and what you need it to do.
Whether that means having a space for your kids and their friends to hang out or a room for guests to stay in, having an ADU can help you get it all.
Consider the following ideas:
Studio for Arts and Crafts
Home Office
Home Clinic
Independent Guest Suite
Game Room for the Kids
Extra Space for Pets
Mancave
Building a new structure is expensive and time-consuming, making it difficult for many homeowners to justify undertaking such projects.
An ADU avoids this issue by giving homeowners an affordable way to add living space without building from scratch or paying high construction fees upfront.
Cons
You lose some storage space when you convert your garage into an ADU.
This can be a problem if you have a large family or own a lot of possessions.
However, there are ways to get around this problem.
For example, you can renovate your basement and use it for storage purposes instead.
If you decide to rent out your ADU, you will embrace many duties that come with the business, and these duties may disrupt your lifestyle.
You’ll have to think about cleaning needs, repairs, and maintenance.
The good thing is that you can always outsource these tasks, and you can hire a property manager to oversee the operation.
If you live in a city with strict zoning laws, you might have to go through a long process before obtaining approval from the council to build an ADU in your backyard.
This may cause delays and increase costs due to the legal fees involved.
However, IDB might be able to help you in this regard when you choose us as your contractor.
A homeowner may consider several ADU options, but only one concept is suitable for any given lot.
This project is prevalent in many communities.
It is simply a garage that has been converted into a second bedroom or living space.
The conversion may be done by adding walls and making other modifications to the existing structure.
This conversion involves separating a part of an existing home and turn into an ADU.
If you have a somewhat large house and are willing to give up some space for an ADU, you can choose this option.
This is an ADU that is constructed by building onto an existing structure, such as a house or a garage.
It can be one or two stories tall and must not exceed 50% of the current home’s square footage.
If you have a detached garage near your home, it could simply be converted into a bedroom, office, or even an entertainment room.
For a corner property with a separate driveway, an ADU constructed from the ground up is usually the best option.
This is also great for a property with plenty of lot to spare.
If you’re considering an accessory dwelling unit for your property, we’re happy to help guide you.
Our specialists are experienced in every step of the process, from helping you with the design and plan review to ensuring that you take advantage of all incentives and financial programs available.
We will make sure you get the maximum return on your investment!
