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There are so many things that need to be thought out before you set about drawing out your accessory dwelling unit floor plan. This is especially true if you have an extra space in your home or property that you want to make an addition to your current residential features or are thinking of converting that space. You’ll want to be sure that you don’t commit any mistakes when you start the construction.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Small Spaces, Big Possibilities

People have constantly been developing or building additional housing installations to meet pressing needs. An accessory dwelling unit is an efficient, self-contained space placed inside or adjacent to a house or primary dwelling. This is why the secondary ADUs are often equipped with complete applications, like having their own kitchen, bathroom, a separate entrance, etc.

Three types of ADU

• Converted ADU- dwellings that are added within a building, such as a converted semi-basement or a converted second floor, with a private entrance door.
• Attached ADU- dwellings that are attached beside a building, such as side annexes, which form a new apartment.
• Detached ADU- dwellings that are built within the property but with autonomous features, often located in the backyard, like mini sheds or houses.

A Couple of Mistakes to Avoid When Developing an ADU Floor Plan

One mistake that many people make when drawing out their floor plans is not making sure that their project is flexible enough to account for future changes in the property. If you have a long-term plan to live in the area, you may want to consider a design that will fit your family’s goals for the property. On the other hand, if you’re thinking of a short-term living arrangement, you should adjust your plan accordingly.

Another mistake that many people make when they draw out their floor plan is swamping all of the details with little consideration of space efficiency. There’s a certain scope of applications to include in your ADU to maximize the available space and achieve your desired comfort level.

We have a few examples of the basic ADU floor plans you can check out here. And feel free to give us a call to consult with your ADU design and construction project!

How Residents and Communities Benefit From ADUs

Here are some benefits of adding ADUs to your property:

Supports Low- and Modest-Income Households

ADUs represent an interesting solution for housing low-income households and even other advantages.

For small families, buying a property is a significant financial issue. ADUs offer family members and other tenants an affordable place to live while providing owners with an additional income source. For example, installing an ADU in a garage that can then be rented represents an attractive extra income to help pay the mortgage.

Bringing Closer Ties to Families

Adding an ADU can also help to maintain social ties between families. More parents and children choose to live in a single property with an ADU, not so much for the sake of economic reasons, but to stay close together. ADU thus provides a solution to allow families to keep their physical and emotional connection in check by employing innovative designs, especially with ample space to build the unit.

ADU For Sustainable Communities

ADUs can also contribute to the development of sustainable housing. Efficient ADU floor plans must be organized and built thoughtfully and consider specific criteria to be truly sustainable. For example, you can incorporate eco-friendly measures to pay attention to local building requirements applicable for ADUs.

But being sustainable is more than just about picking suitable materials or ensuring proper ventilation and drainage systems. ADUs make it possible to slowly increase the population in an area while limiting urban sprawl and promote the revitalization of neighborhoods that are sometimes in decline or sparsely populated. Often, large communities have heavy infrastructures, such as pipelines and sewers. Thus, the establishment of ADU makes it possible to have more people to pay for these infrastructures and optimize them.

The arrival of new residents in an urban sector would also be likely to promote the development of local businesses and services and improve the supply of public transport.

Securing a Legal Permit for an ADU Construction

If you are thinking about building an ADU or renovating to fit one, there are some things you should know before you start any work:

First, ensure that the accessory dwelling unit floor plans comply with all of your local zoning, building, and fire safety regulations. City offices have the power to regulate the construction and usage of ADUs, such as with the design and authorized dimensions.

Provincial or territorial building codes also govern the design and construction of a secondary suite. To ensure that your ADU complies with all local bylaws and building code requirements, contact your city planning information office, zoning department, or permit office. You must obtain a permit to legally operate with your construction plan and strictly follow implemented regulatory guidelines. Your contractor might also help you quicken the process and secure the correct documents.

Once you are ready to proceed, do your best to create a safe, healthy, and comfortable living environment for those you will accommodate in your ADU. If you want the complete setup, your floor plan should offer adequate living space, sufficient headroom, plenty of natural light, good heating and ventilation, good thermal and acoustic insulation, and an environment free from humidity problems. Of course, adequate fire protection, as well as reliable heat and smoke alarms, should be part of your applications.

Be advised that adding an accessory apartment will likely increase the value of your property, which means that your property tax could also increase. You must also report any rent received as income under the Income Tax Act. So, remember to notify your insurance company of changes that affect the nature, use, and value of your property.

Do you need a professional approach for your ADU project? Angelus Construction has over 30 years of combined construction experience, specializing in designing, permitting, and building ADUs in Los Angeles. Give us a call for a free consultation here today!

Here in Los Angeles, property owners are very eager to add an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), most commonly to residential spaces. This trend to install an ADU is partially attributable to the hot real estate market that is experiencing high values and very low inventory. Building an ADU allows the property owner to achieve a high return on investment compared to the cost of building and the cost to acquire a similar asset in today’s white hot real estate market. With more markets in Los Angeles selling over $700 per sqft, it makes adding an ADU a great investment. In some markets the finished product is adding between $700 per sqft to north of $1000 per sqft. In other words, adding an ADU for at a cost of $100,000 to $250,000 can bring additional value of $300,000 to $900,000! Call us today to get a free consultation on cost and added value to your property. Also ask us about how we can help manage your ADU rental, making this investment stress free and simple!

What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit?

An accessory dwelling unit is a separate living unit built on the same property as the main residence. It is a single unit designed to include a bathroom, bedroom, dining area, veranda, or other living areas.

ADU units are generally designed as an addition to a home or apartment building and are sometimes seen as a separate unit within the home. These units can be builts using existing garage structures, building an addition to the existing property or building a new structure.

What is an ADU used for?

Many people use these units for a variety of purposes including, but not limited to: rental property, guest quarters, housing for elderly family members, housing for adult children and working from home office.

If you live in a single-family home, it is possible to include an accessory dwelling unit as part of a remodeling plan. Executing on the construction of an ADU has many moving parts and it is critical to higher a company experienced in the design, approval process and construction. Additionally, we can help manage your new rental unit for you!

Examples of Accessory Dwelling Unit Designs for Your Home

There are numerous kinds of ADU you can choose from when upgrading your house or property. The most basic construction and designs are detached, attached, or second-floor conversions. 

Home Cottages

A home cottage is an outdoor living area that can be attached or detached from a house. Some of the more popular accessories for the backyard cottage include outdoor fireplaces and outdoor kitchens. Portable grills can also be added to the patio area for some extra cooking time. For an added touch of luxury, chairs or chaise lounges can be purchased to enjoy a beverage outside while appreciating the surroundings.

Garage Conversions

This is another one of the many ADU designs and conversions available today. A well done garage conversion gives you the feeling that the unit is brand new and a thoughtful continuation of the existing home.

Garage conversions can be made of two-layered floor plans to maximize the lot area: one is with a finished lower area that acts as the main living area with the kitchen, dining, comfort room, and a family room; and the other is adding a second floor for the bedrooms and bathrooms. 

What is The Purpose of an Accessory Dwelling Unit?

You can take advantage of various types of accessory dwelling units for multiple reasons, from adding additional living space for your growing family or creating an additional source of monthly income by renting out the ADU, and even as a workshop for new hobbyists and artists.

Do You Need an Architect For an ADU?

It is important to get the right architect if you are building a fully-functional ADU on your property. There are many advantages of having an architect’s services including ease of city approvals, aesthetics and cost-effectiveness. These factors are essential and cannot be ignored, so it is vital to have the best ADU design from the start.

Architectural drawings are necessary for the construction process when getting an ADU approved and built. Suppose you choose to go with a non-experienced designer who does not have accurate blueprints detailed enough to understand and apply the essential construction factors correctly. This will cost you time and money, delays in approvals, added construction cost and delays in construction timelines. Having a full service ADU Design & Builder on your team makes the process smooth and efficient.

Does Adding an ADU Increase The Value of Your Property?

Adding an accessory dwelling unit to your house can significantly increase your residential property’s overall value in the real estate market. Since many people rent their apartments and homes daily, those who own their house with an accessory dwelling unit will reap the full benefits of having these additional living spaces.

Conclusively, an extra living space and house functionality will increase the marketable value of the property for short-term rentals and vacations while at the same time increasing the resale value of the house.

Takeaway: Is an ADU a Good Investment?

In Los Angeles building an ADU as an investment is a no brainer. Given the high value of properties in Los Angeles it makes perfect sense to build an ADU that increased the value of the home immediately. For example, lets say you convert a 400 sqft garage in Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles at a cost of $150,000. That 1 bedroom ADU can bring you $2500-3200 a month in rent. That’s a 20-25% return on your investment! 

ADU projects cost money upfront, but with the increase of property value and the monthly cash flow, the return of your investment is ultimately well worth the money and effort.

Do you have plans of adding an ADU to your property? Angelus Construction has innovative ADU designs and a customer-focused approach to delivering professional projects to valued clients. Visit us here and contact us for a free consultation on our premier services!

Any investor must know the crucial factors involved in constructing an ADU before pouring investment into the property. You need to learn about the types of property structures classified as an ADU, including the requirements for building the unit.

If you plan to build an ADU, but you’re not sure where to start, it may be a good idea to hire an ADU expert to give you reliable information on what are your available options and assist you in the best direction on how to proceed with the planning and construction.

Contact Angelus Construction for premium ADU construction and design programs!

Things to Know Before Investing in an ADU

Here are a few of the primary things you need to know before deciding to invest in building an ADU.

Los Angeles ADU Laws

Local communities throughout Los Angeles have recently implemented regulations for property investors considering building an ADU. 

In recognition of the general issues in real estate pertaining to ADU construction, the state encourages new and existing units to meet the demand for legalization. Therefore, the State of California later assumed particular laws that assist in removing some local obstacles and streamline the process of obtaining a permit to legalize ADU structures.

Some of the issues include processing fees, property size, community disputes, and more. The following are a few of the new fundamental rules that potential ADU investors need to be aware of.

• Senate Bill No. 13 | Accessory Dwelling Units

“This bill would, instead, authorize the creation of accessory dwelling units in areas zoned to allow single-family or multifamily dwelling residential use. The bill would also revise the requirements for an accessory dwelling unit by providing that the accessory dwelling unit may be attached to, or located within, an attached garage, storage area, or other structure and that it does not exceed a specified amount of total floor area.”

• Assembly Bill No. 670 | Common Interest Developments: Accessory Dwelling Units

“The Planning and Zoning Law authorizes a local agency to provide for the creation of accessory dwelling units in single-family and multifamily residential zones by ordinance and sets forth standards the ordinance is required to impose with respect to certain matters, including, among others, maximum unit size, parking, and height standards. Existing law authorizes a local agency to provide by ordinance for the creation of junior accessory dwelling units, as defined, in single-family residential zones and requires the ordinance to include, among other things, standards for the creation of a junior accessory dwelling unit, required deed restrictions, and occupancy requirements.”

• Assembly Bill No. 671 | Accessory Dwelling Units: Incentives

“The Planning and Zoning Law requires a city or county to adopt a general plan for land use development within its boundaries that includes, among other things, a housing element. Existing law provides for various incentives intended to facilitate and expedite the construction of affordable housing. Existing law authorizes a local agency to provide, by ordinance, for the creation of accessory dwelling units in single-family and multifamily residential zones and sets forth standards the ordinance is required to impose on accessory dwelling units.”

Local Zoning Codes

Every community has unique regulations on zoning codes to legalize ADUs at the local government level. It’s recommended to check the local zoning codes to better understand the entire process before progressing on your ADU project. We have experience working with the City of Los Angeles, City of Pasadena, City of Glendale, City of Burbank, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa, Culver City, County of Los Angeles, City of Santa Monica and many more local los angeles area cities.

Can I build an ADU on my property?

To build an accessory dwelling unit, you would have to get the permit to legalize the existing or new construction ADU. About three years ago, the rules for constructing ADUs in Los Angeles weren’t as strict as today. Unlike before, legally permitted ADUs are becoming more conventional for property owners converting old sheds and cottages or building units from scratch.

Several guidelines are laid out by the city of Los Angeles that regulate the construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in residential properties. The restrictions generally vary, but up to 1,200 square feet of ADU structures are allowed for single-family residences and properties even larger.

You have to declare your yard’s exact measurements to know the allowable structure size during the planning. The contractors can include the full measurement information on the requirements you have to file and have approved before starting the construction. 

The local department inspects proposed structures to ensure they’re up to code and assist in the general public’s safety. Even if the department approves a design, it may still have to go through the city’s environmental review board due to environmental impact that can potentially be detrimental.

Pro-Tip: You should check with your local department to know the exact guidelines available in your area. 

How much does it cost to build an ADU in Los Angeles?

Depending on the ADU’s design and location relative to other structures, the actual costs can be a little high, but generally not all that much if you think of it as an investment. 

One factor that is usually associated with the cost of building an ADU in Los Angeles is the building permit requirements. Each proposed structure must meet specific guidelines regarding height, site use, setbacks, zoning, etc. 

Considering the regulations and required energy performance features for the ADU planning and construction projects, you can’t build a unit for less than $175,000, at least for this year. As much as they can be time-consuming projects, their extremely expensive rates can also be part of the challenge.

Another cost factor you might want to know before investing in an ADU is the property tax. The ADU is assessed independently, which adds up to the amount you’ll need to pay for the total property tax, which is also inclined to increase over time.  

In A Nutshell

Every ADU project in Los Angeles requires a building permit before construction can commence. The primary thing to consider is that an accessory dwelling unit requires following local safety code regulations. So, even if you plan to use an existing available structure as a base for your new dwelling unit, it is essential to ensure that the building plan works according to local rules and regulations. And if the building design is not up to code according to the current guidelines, you will less likely get the legalization permit.

Accessory Dwelling Units are a great way to increase your property’s value in Los Angeles. Trust only the best in ADU Design & Construction here in LA! Angelus Construction offers specialized designing, permitting, and building ADUs with reliable and experienced services. Give us a call here today for a free consultation!

One of the highest-selling market trends in the real estate business today is the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). Generally speaking, accessory dwelling units are additions or conversions built to any residential home to function as an extra self-contained living or work area on the property.

ADU designs vary significantly from different areas and even by their type. Also, ADU construction requires a property valuation process since any addition to your residential property affects its worth. This factor often makes homeowners curious about one thing: how much value does an (ADU) Accessory Dwelling Unit add to the property?

In just a few, we’ll dig into how adding an ADU unit increases property value. First, let’s take a look at the various types of accessory dwelling units and their benefits.

The 3 Different Types of Accessory Dwelling Units

Three of the most common types of accessory dwelling unit construction and design in Los Angeles are the following:

Attached Unit Conversion

An attached accessory dwelling unit is joint on a residential building, often on an existing family home. It expands the size of the primary home while offering flexible solutions for the applications to be added to the unit. One of the best benefits of having an attached dwelling is the increased living space for a growing family. An efficient design and planning process can indeed be advantageous for the whole property. Many homeowners convert the existing attached garage space.

Detached Garage Conversion

Some ADU’s are also constructed by converting an existing detached garage. They are separate from the primary home but on the same lot.

This ADU type offers other benefits that an attached conversion can’t. Most importantly, detached conversions are often designed for additional privacy.

Second Floor Conversion

You can also convert an attic space or add a 2nd floor to a garage in order to create a 2nd floor or two story ADU. A second-floor conversion can be more complex than adding a detached accessory dwelling unit. However, it can always be made possible with expert design, planning, and construction. 

One thing ADUs have in common is the design efficiency to make them affordable for homeowners. Innovative building aspects are considered to maximize the property’s functionality and increase its value in the process. Therefore, if you choose to add an addition to your primary home, you should get help from an experienced real estate agent or builder. Adding a converted ADU  to your primary residential building is also different from purchasing a “made-to-order” accessory dwelling unit. 

Benefits of Accessory Dwelling Units

Building profitable residential properties incorporated with an attached dwelling unit has been around for decades. The concept of ADUs used to be new for many people. But because of its financial benefits, ADUs became one of the top investment methods in the real estate industry. Although ADU conversion involves affordable housing development considerations, it provides an immense result in business profit. Here are some of its top benefits:

Self-Contained

An accessory dwelling unit is also considered a self-contained unit due to the fact it typically comes with complete applications according to its purpose. Perhaps, it could have a living area, bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. Some ADUs are converted for fully-functional office spaces. This makes them an excellent choice for rental property, especially apartments or co-working hubs.

Quick Turnaround

The procedure of altering a single-family dwelling into a multi-unit dwelling by changing the zoning from single-family to multi-family status, or multi-unit commercial zoning, takes a little longer than converting the adjacent single-family property.

Converting an accessory dwelling unit requires primary construction systems. It might include having sufficient room on the lot for equipment access to the area where the ADU will be placed, adequate footings on the property, and more. Once these requirements are met, you’ll be looking at a much faster turnaround for the results you want.

Affordable Budget

One of the main reasons people opt for these types of construction options is because they offer a cheaper alternative to traditional solutions.

When looking at traditional housing construction plans, there are not that many applications that you can add to a residential building that makes it stand out unless you’re willing to shell out a lot of cash.

Maximizes Property Space

Another significant benefit of having one of these accessory dwelling units is that the property landscape will be greatly reduced and converted to more valuable space. These ADUs will also give you the option to build a deck or other additional structure.

Profitable Asset

For rental properties, self-contained ADUs add to the property value. These applications are fully-furnished and generally very hard to replace due to their efficient function in the property. The features can easily attract possible future buyers and renters, which totally works to your advantage.

How Much Value Does An (ADU) Accessory Dwelling Unit Add?

ADUs, notably detached conversions, can increase property value by 20-30%. You can even flip them professionally! The addition itself can help the property reach up to double its original value, considering the building costs, and gain a quick return of investment.

In Conclusion

Accessory dwelling units can add value to your property while creating additional living space for your family. It provides more flexibility for using the space you already have available in your home and provides a second place to raise the children if necessary. On a similar note, a detached ADU offers an opportunity to profit from your investment in the building costs. You can charge monthly rental for extra income with a fully-furnished and functional ADU. Whether you plan to rent it out or simply want to expand your property’s range of performance and value, adding an ADU is indeed an excellent option for a profitable investment.

Now you understand how adding an accessory dwelling unit to your home can increase your property value. Talk with your realtor about how you can start planning for an ADU conversion that’s best suited for your property. And when it comes to the designing and construction processes, be sure to work with qualified ADU contractors to explore all of your best options. They can walk you through the process to make sure your new extension is built to code.

If you plan to add an accessory dwelling unit to your home, ensure optimum results with the right assistance! Angelus Construction specializes in ADU Construction in Los Angeles. Our approach is reliable, easy to work with, and provides you the most expert service for your ADU construction. Contact us today for a free consultation about a project you have in mind!