Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs for short, are small homes built on the same property as the primary residence. Usually consisting of one or two bedrooms and their own kitchen and bathroom, these cute little abodes can be used in many ways: home office space or guest house for visiting family and guests.
In the early 20th century, ADUs were very popular but saw a steep decline in construction after World War II. The families who previously lived in these small houses moved to the newly developed suburbs, which was much more convenient for them at the time. That is no longer the case.
In the last five years, the United States, has seen an increased demand for affordable housing. Which in turn led to the uptick in ADU construction and ADU companies all in one.
Homeowners and investors are beginning to open their eyes to the benefits of living in their own property without looming mortgage payments or additional utility bills.
ADUs can come in many shapes and sizes, and there is no single approach to ADU that is right for you! Here are a few examples of how Cottage has helped homeowners like you build the right accessory dwelling unit for them and their primary residence, with links to each of these featured projects:
Detached ADUs are backyard cabins separate from any structures on a property. These are great for maintaining a tenant’s privacy or maintaining an independent lifestyle for families living together in one property.
Because these units are separate from the main house in their own open space, new construction tends to be easier, without depending on the quality or condition of the main house or garage.
Attached ADUs are units attached to the main home or other structure. For the most part, homeowners looking for attached ADUs do so to maximize coverage for their lot by eliminating any inconvenience between the ADU and the main house.
Please note that attached ADUs may require fire-resistive partitions between the ADU and the main single-family home, adding cost and increasing the possibility of needing to upgrade the adjoining wall to the main home and ADU.
Conversion ADUs are ADUs built into the existing home structure to become an ADU. Most conversion ADUs are garage conversions, but other options could be to convert a basement, attic, or even an extra bedroom into an additional rental unit.
These are typically very cost-effective ways to add ADU space to your home: With most two-car garages, you can add an ADU with 400 square feet of floor area at 60% of the cost.
JADUs are smaller ADUs that have relaxed regulations and ordinances for bathrooms and kitchens, usually at a maximum of 500 square feet. JADUs must utilize existing space within the main structure of your home, so while attached garage conversions would qualify, detached garages typically won’t!
The main difference between a conversion ADU and a JADU is that JADUs allow for efficient kitchens (a hotplate/microwave vs. stove/range) and can share bathrooms with the main house. We have seen very creative JADUs built from converted extra rooms and guest spaces!
Modular construction is a technique of building that employs prefabricated components.
The housing unit is built off-site, under controlled plant conditions, using the same materials and designed to the same codes and standards as conventionally built facilities. Since all units are designed similarly, it saves a lot of time.
There are two types of prefabricated construction techniques:
Modular homes, by contrast, are pre-built in a process that can be much more scalable and have lower cost. Simply put, modular homes are mass-produced, while built-from-scratch ADUs are customized;
A modular ADU can be built off-site, loaded onto a truck, and installed in your backyard in a matter of days.
We like to ask every homeowner who comes to us about their ADU vision the question, “What is the use case for your ADU?”
If you hope to use the ADU for rental income, the privacy of the main house may be something to think about. If you’re looking for in-law space, you may want an ADA-compliant accessible ADU that has a larger bedroom and bathroom.
Or if you’re staring at your empty garage wishing you could do more than just store the kids’ old bikes, then a garage conversion might be right for you.
Often your options may be limited by the size or shape of your backyard or existing structures.
Numerous ADUs have been built on lots of 5,000 square feet or less, proving that you can make room for more with even less than you might have thought.
Like normal homes, standard ADUs often have similar floor plans and architectural styles, but fundamentally, each ADU is unique. Get the right ADU built for you through Done Right Home Remodeling in San Jose.
When you sign up to convert your backyard or garage into a dwelling unit, it should be designed and built by an experienced team of remodelers.
Choosing the right ADU for your needs can be a daunting task, but we’re here at Done Right to help you navigate the entire process. Let us help you determine what is best for you, your property, and your budget. Call us or schedule a free consultation.
