There are many economic, social, and environmental benefits to building an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) or guest house. An ADU offers flexible housing options in a central neighborhood, while using existing infrastructures. They are an affordable housing option to build, as they do not require additional land or major new infrastructure.
What an ADU Offers:
Secondary Income: Provides additional source of income for homeowners.
Modern Family Living: Allows family to share independent living spaces.
Guest House: Allows extended family to be near when visiting while maintaining privacy.
Home Based Business: Home offices provide work-life balance by creating separation of work and home life for individuals who work from home.
Aging in Place: Allows elderly family who need additional support to live with dignity.
ADUs can be as simple as a home office, a long-term solution for multi-generational living, or a solution for additional rental income. These small houses are perfect as temporary guest houses. There are also multiple life stages that an ADU can go through. An ADU can be rented out for supplemental income while your family grows, it can be used for college-aged children returning home who need a private living space, or a home for an elderly relative when they need help getting around. You also have the option to downsize into a small cozy space for simpler living when the primary house becomes too much to maintain or if your children are looking to grow their family and need more space. ADUs are less costly to operate and maintain and may be the answer for your lifelong housing plan.
Many Bay Area cities are jumping on board the ADU alternative to housing by improving their regulations and making ADUs easier to build for homeowners. Take a look at building an ADU in your city.
HDR Remodeling Inc. is proud to be a member of the Berkeley ADU Taskforce. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are also known as granny flats or guest houses. We recognize that the demand for housing is a concern for many East Bay Area residents. This is why our team is at the forefront of constructing ADUs and educating the East Bay community on what it takes to build ADUs.
Building an ADU may seem like a complicated concept, but did you know that in Berkeley for instance:
You can have a kitchen and bathroom in the garage converted into a permitted ADU.
You can build up to a 750 square foot guest house or up to 75% of the size of the main residence.
You can construct the new unit up to four feet from the property line.
If you have a garage or other structure within the set back area you can convert it into an ADU.
Off street parking is not required for newly created ADUs. However, replacement parking is required if the new ADU occupies existing off-street parking.
If you are near BART, Berkeley city will waive the additional parking requirements with some conditions. Design review is waived for ADU permit. You can live in either the new ADU or the primary housing unit.
Having a knowledgeable Design & Build contractor like HDR Remodeling guide you through the project ensures that your ADU is built legally, on time, and within budget.
Designing an ADU
A design team will work with you to determine if it is possible to convert part of your primary residence into an ADU or if it is better to build a new structure. The team will also create a custom design of the architectural layout and interior of your project. HDR Remodeling handles everything from plans, permits and zoning to plumbing, electrical, and fixtures and finishes.
We recommend working with an experienced and innovative design team who can tell you that given the smaller space of a tiny house, it is desirable to design a “great room” that holds the living room, dining room, and often the kitchen to create more open space. Including a visual to the outdoors will also make the space feel larger than it is. We will also take your design wish list to create the ADU you envisioned, integrating it seamlessly with your primary residence to add value to your property.
Building an ADU
HDR Remodeling is your one stop shop for innovative, quality, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly ADUs. Our “Build It Green” certified Build Team will construct your ADU using building practices that create healthier living spaces and reduces the impact on the environment.
This is our commitment to you:
Create designs that minimize the disruption to the surrounding natural environment.
Use responsibly produced and/or recycled building materials.
Divert construction debris away from landfills.
Conserve water and energy with highly efficient fixtures and appliances.
Be mindful and responsive to in-home air quality during and after construction.
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