What You Need to Know About ADUs

ADUs, which are sometimes called "granny flats," are once again becoming more popular. This style of building is not new; it has been around since the early 1990s. But in the past, different state regulatory agencies were not as willing to let this housing structure be built as they are now. There may be a link between making it easier to get a permit and the need to make existing housing units less crowded.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of property owners may now be thinking about building ADUs to help with their money problems or other problems. You might have thought about getting an ADU if you own a home. You've probably seen the letters ADU on the internet or in conversations with your friends, but you haven't paid much attention to them. If so, keep reading to find out more about ADUs and how they can help you.

Who Can Purchase an ADU?

Is it easy for people who own property? To build an ADU, you must have enough space. You'll need 600 square feet of flat, usable ground. This land is the space you have outside of your main building. Your ADU can't be attached to your main house; it must be a separate building, so take the time to make sure you have enough room. You also need to think about whether or not ADUs are allowed where you live. Talk to the person in charge of code enforcement in your area to find out.

How Much Does It Cost to Build an Adu in California?

The cost of building an ADU in California depends on how the land is prepared, how the structure is designed, and how the inside is finished. The size of the ADU you want to build is another important cost factor. The bigger it is, the more money you will have to spend to finish it. Still, you should plan to spend at least $300 per square foot of land. If you want to build an ADU on a 600-square-foot piece of land, you should set aside at least $180,000, and maybe even more, depending on how big the ADU is.

What Can You Do with an ADU?

You could think about getting an ADU so that your guests have a different place to stay when they come to visit. This will give you some privacy, especially when it gets dark or when you just want to be alone for a while. You can rent out your ADU and get a good amount of money every month. This will give you some financial power and make it easy for you to handle any financial storm. Yours could just be an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) anywhere, especially near tourist attractions where people want to rent for a short time. Click here to find out more, or read on!

A Gaming Room

Do you like to play video games more than you like to read books or take care of animals? Don't worry; an ADU can be turned into a fully functional gaming system just as easily as any other configuration! Whether you play video games on a console or a computer, you can still set up a big screen, get as many pillows and seats as you want, and make the most comfortable gaming environment for yourself.

Imagine a room with dim lighting, posters, and shelves where your games and figurines are kept. These things make a frame around a big screen TV that is hooked up to your PC or console of choice. You now have access to the most peaceful and beautiful place on Earth to hide out. 

A Place to Exercise

If you try to live a healthy life, you might want to buy an ADU to help you get fit. By using an at-home fitness center or a gym membership, you can get in shape and blow off some steam without having to leave the comfort of your own home.

You don't have to bring a TV or other entertainment with you if you don't want to. However, doing so might make it easier for you to get through your workout. Your fitness ADU can be anything you want it to be and nothing you don't want it to be at the same time.

A Place to Try Out Your Ideas

People who are creative often make a lot of mess, and this mess can quickly take over a house. If you or someone you know is very creative and does a lot of creative things, it might be a good idea to build an ADU. Because all of their art supplies will be in the ADU, it will be easier for them to keep the rest of the house clean. They can organize things the way they think is best and take care of whatever needs to be done in a creative way, all without making a mess that could spread through the whole house.

A Safe Haven for Animals

You might want to turn an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) into a sanctuary for animals if you have pets that can go outside or if there are strays in your neighborhood that you would like to help care for.

When it has beds, windows, air conditioning, heating, food, and water, an ADU can be a great place for both cats and dogs to live. Your outside pets can go to a safe and pleasant place whenever they want to get out of the heat, come in from the cold, or just hang out with you.

Rental Income Opportunity

How much you can make by renting out your ADU depends on where the property is located. But, depending on where it is and what it has to offer, renting out your ADU could bring in an average of $2,000 to $2,300 per month. So, you can list the ADU on online lodging sites like Airbnb, Vrbo, and others to get more people to know about it. You can also hire a real estate agent to help you with the renting process. ADUs aren't meant to be sold on their own, so keep that in mind when you're thinking about how to make money with your ADU.

Final Thoughts

Do you want an ADU built on your land? If so, there are a few things you need to know. First, check with your city or town about zoning laws and rules. They may be different from place to place. You should also talk to an architect or contractor who has built ADUs like Acton ADU before to get an idea of how the building process will go and how much it will cost. If you do your homework before starting your ADU project, you can make sure that it goes well and that you end up with the home addition you've always wanted.