(916) 939-9501
Serving The Sacramento Region & Northern California

Accessory Dwelling Unit Construction

Building your Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in Northern California

Accessory Dwelling Units, also known as “granny flats”, continue to grow in popularity throughout California and specifically in our area, the Sacramento Region & Northern California. With more than 10,000 Baby Boomers turning 65 every day in the U.S. – the demand is growing for safe, convenient, and affordable senior housing near family members or caregivers. Similarly, more than ever before, young people are staying home through or past college and many new college grads are again heading home to live with parents. Families are also looking for smart ways to generate extra income while helping renters find affordable housing in our state. And now, with the many societal changes resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak, a higher priority may be the nuclear family of all ages and stages living on one property.
Bottom line, ADUs serve as a great investment in your home, both in the short and long term. We believe many families could benefit immensely from building an ADU, and we’ve enjoyed helping our past clients create an ADU that fit their needs and didn’t break the bank. Below we have addressed some common questions homeowners have when considering an ADU on their lot:

Why Build an Accessory Dwelling Unit?

Here are some of the main reasons to build an ADU on your lot:

  • Increase your property value
  • Create new, comfortable living space for family and/or friends
  • Earn supplemental passive income through renting
  • Help address the affordable housing crisis in our state

What types of Accessory Dwelling Units can you build on your lot?

Depending on the structure of your home and lot, there are three options for ADUs:

  • Detached
  • Attached
  • Converted (Garage, Basement, etc.)

Is an ADU allowed or possible on your property?

Although California statutes and most cities and counties support ADUs — local restrictions by HOAs, building departments, utilities, and site conditions should be evaluated before moving forward.
The California State Legislature recently passed legislation that makes it easier for homeowners to build an ADU, including: the removal of minimum lot size requirements, increased size limits, elimination of owner-occupancy restrictions, and much more. Many in our state are advocating for legislation that will make it easier for homeowners to build.

What is the cost for an ADU?

Applying the traditional cost for a new home (ranging from $250-300/sq.ft.) will not typically apply to ADUs – which can be higher due to lesser economies of scale for small buildings, access to the building site and the removal/replacement of existing yard improvements. Consulting a designer AND builder early is your best opportunity to set a realistic budget.

  • How to pay for an ADU? Talking to a construction lender, banker or broker will be important in evaluating financing options – equity lines of credit, a second mortgage, or just plain cash can all be considered relative to the budget (and potential income).
  • Designing for the moon or simple tastes. Like ADU size — the finishes, design, and amenities you select will impact cost and usefulness, so finding the right builder-partner to evaluate these items relative to your goals is a great first step in the decision.

Is an ADU right for you?

ESI Builders & Remodelers can guide you through the dynamic and fast moving ADU landscape and provide you with a beautiful new structure on your lot. We would love to chat with you about your current needs and help you decide if an ADU is right for you. Call (916) 939-9501 or fill out our contact form to schedule a time for us to chat.

Ready to build? Let’s talk about your project.

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