I’m Building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in My Backyard!

Do you want to put your engineering skill sets to work outside of your regular 8 to 5 engineering job? No, I’m not talking about getting another job, but rather using your engineering know how to do some construction on your property to increase your property values and cash flow. I’m currently building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU or commonly known as in-law unit) in my backyard and I will be documenting my journey on this blog from permitting all the way to end of construction so you can learn from my experience and apply it to your current or future property.

What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)?

ADUs are known by other names such as granny flats, in-law units, backyard cottage, secondary units, etc…In essence, ADUs are just additional completely independent living spaces (i.e. it has kitchen, bathroom, bedroom) that you are adding to your current house or lot. This new living space can be a new structure that is attached or detached from your house. Alternatively, you can also repurpose existing spaces on your property into an ADU such as converting an existing garage. Most ADUs have private entrances so the occupants of the main house and the occupant of the ADU have ample privacy.

Why are ADUs popular now?

With the high cost of housing in certain areas around the country, there’s an increasing need to find alternative housing solutions. In the expensive housing markets, most young people are priced out of areas close to jobs, amenities, and schools so an ADU offers renters an affordable place to live. As for homeowners, ADUs can help them afford to live where they want to live when they rent out their ADUs to help offset their mortgage payment.

Many jurisdictions and elective officials are starting to recognize the need to have cheaper housing in many areas so they have relax zoning and permit requirements to make it cheaper and easier to construct an ADU. For example, the legislature in California has relaxed many of the previous impediments to the ADU such as property setbacks, parking spaces, and fire sprinklers. In fact, they even make it clear in the state law that cities are not allowed to do a blanket ban on ADU and must approve ADUs that meet the requirements of the new law.

Wby should you consider adding an ADU to your property?

There are three good reasons to add an ADU:

  • If you go through the permit process for the ADU, you can legally add the new square footage from the ADU to the square footage of your main house, making your property more valuable when you sell it. Although the addition might mean you have to pay more in property taxes, you will more than recoup this tax money when you sell your house with the extra legal square footage.
  • You can rent out the ADU, helping offset your monthly mortgage payment. If you are looking to buy a house, you can factor in an ADU into what you can afford and potentially buy a house in a nicer (i.e. more expensive) area than what you can afford without the ADU. Living in a nicer area means that your kids will go to better public schools and your family will have generally a better quality of life.
  • You can have your parents or a relative move into the ADU which will help them and yourself save money. Many young adults today can’t afford to pay for their own living space so an ADU is a great way for parents to help their children but not have them living “inside” the house. Similarly, many older Americans want to live close to their children so an ADU is a great way to make that happen.

What is my ADU project?

I have a 569 square foot garage in my backyard (see picture below) that I have been using as a storage space. The access for this garage is through the side of my house but the previous owner had added landscaping and a gate that no longer allow for car access so my garage has basically been there to store junk.

What I want to do with the garage is to turn it into a one bedroom ADU. This mini house will have a full kitchen with dishwasher and refrigerator. It will have a bathroom with standing shower, toilet, and vanity. The bedroom will have two mirror closets for storage and clothes. I will even have washer and dryer in this place! I’m currently in the midst of construction but I will chronicle my journey from the beginning to completion of construction on this blog so that you can learn how to build your very own ADU.

Existing Garage Exterior
Existing Garage Interior

If you are looking to get in touch with a Contractor to help you with your ADU project, reach out to me at [email protected] and I can give you recommendations for some excellent Contractors.

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