Understanding ADUs

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An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a secondary housing unit on a single-family residential lot. These units can be attached to the main house, such as a basement apartment, or detached, like a small cottage in the backyard. ADUs provide additional living space and can be used for various purposes, including housing family members, renting out for extra income, or creating a home office.

Advantages of ADUs

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Building an ADU offers numerous benefits. Firstly, it increases property value, making your home more attractive to potential buyers. Secondly, it provides flexibility for family living arrangements, allowing for multigenerational living. Additionally, ADUs can serve as a source of rental income, helping homeowners offset mortgage costs. Lastly, they contribute to sustainable living by maximizing land use in urban areas.

Key Design Factors

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When designing an ADU, consider factors such as size, layout, and functionality. Ensure the design complements the existing home and adheres to local zoning laws. Think about accessibility features, energy efficiency, and the potential for future modifications. Additionally, consider the privacy of both the ADU occupants and the main house residents to create a harmonious living environment.

Understanding ADU Costs

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The cost of building an ADU varies widely based on factors such as location, size, and design complexity. On average, homeowners can expect to spend between $100,000 for a Garage Conversion to upwards of $600,000 for a max size ADU in Bay Area. This includes construction costs, permits, and utility connections. It's essential to budget for unexpected expenses and consult with professionals to get accurate estimates tailored to your project.

Permit Requirements

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Building an ADU typically requires several permits, including a building permit, zoning permit, and possibly a variance if your project deviates from local regulations. It's crucial to check with your local planning department to understand the specific requirements in your area. Engaging with a knowledgeable contractor can also help navigate the permitting process smoothly.

Financing Your ADU

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Homeowners have several financing options for building an ADU. These include home equity loans, personal loans, and construction loans. Some may also consider refinancing their mortgage to access additional funds. It's advisable to consult with a financial advisor to explore the best options based on your financial situation and project scope.

Maintaining Your ADU

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Regular maintenance is essential to keep your ADU in good condition. This includes routine inspections of plumbing, electrical systems, and roofing. Additionally, landscaping around the ADU should be maintained to enhance curb appeal. Establishing a maintenance schedule can help prevent costly repairs and ensure the longevity of your investment.

Understanding Rental Regulations

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Rental regulations for ADUs vary by location. Homeowners must familiarize themselves with local laws regarding short-term and long-term rentals. This may include obtaining a rental license, adhering to occupancy limits, and following safety regulations. Consulting with a real estate attorney can provide clarity on compliance and help avoid potential legal issues.

Insurance Considerations

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Yes, it's advisable to have insurance for your ADU. This can protect against damages, liability claims, and loss of rental income. Homeowners should discuss their specific needs with an insurance agent to ensure adequate coverage. Additionally, reviewing your homeowner's insurance policy to include the ADU is essential for comprehensive protection.

Enhancing Sustainability

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To make your ADU more sustainable, consider incorporating energy-efficient appliances, solar panels, and sustainable building materials. Implementing water-saving fixtures and designing for natural light can also reduce energy consumption. Additionally, landscaping with native plants can minimize water usage and enhance the ecological footprint of your property.

Yes, the best thing to speed up your planning and permitting of A MAYBERRY ADU would be to get a hydrant flow letter for your water purveyor, as well as a survey so we can quickly locate the ADU on your property and know utility locations. Also a topographic survey is very helpful for locating the ADU with proper boundaries, with certainty

Under state law, the ADU can be 800 square feet by right and local agencies may not impose fees for ADUs under 749 sq ft

As far as height for an ADU:

16 ft allowed under any circumstances

18 ft allowed if the ADU is within ½ mile of public transit or the property already has a multi-family dwelling two stories high, 25 ft allowed if the ADU is attached to the primary dwelling, depending on the underlying zoning code of the property (the lowest will apply). In San Jose, 18ft tall single story and 24 ft tall two story ADUs are allowed

Your water purveyor in San Jose can be found at this link:

https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/environmental-services/recycling-garbage/residents/utility-services-lookup

When you find out one of three purveyors, contact them through the necessary steps to request a hydrant flow letter

If in a different jurisdiction search the utilities department or it will be attached to your water bill

Construction timelines for ADUs can vary based on design and complexity. Generally, our ADUs take about 6 months to build from contract signing in San Jose. Planning and permitting processes can also affect the timelines in other City or Counties, which would typically add 2 months for approvals

Our business model does not support the maintenance of model homes we build each house separately in someones else yard, however we do have BIMx modeling of all our predesigns, allowing you to see the space virtually in 3-D, with VR Walkthroughs coming very soon as well.

And you may come down to our Construction Offices with various materials and details, we’ll get a Showroom set up soon, right now we are focused on building homes for our clients

All of our pre-approved units are pre-designed, which we call Streamlined ADUs. Pre-designed means the building plans are already drawn with basic exterior finishes. Streamlined means the plans have already undergone a plan check process with the municipality and the time and hassle to receive your permits is significantly reduced, sometimes the cost for City fees as well

Streamlined ADU plans are planned in the following municipalities: San Jose, Napa, and Sonoma Counties, the City of Davis and Bakersfield.

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*Contact us to see if your locale is now available

If you select A MAYBERRY ADU to build, you can select one of our thoughtfully curated interior vibes and your project will process within our standard timelines. If you have chosen to customize an ADU, or you would like to customize upgraded interior finishes of A MAYBERRY ADU (which may have additional costs involved), your project can be scheduled AFTER you have selected all the interior finishes and approved the changes to the construction budget

We are very selective about our craft and how A MAYBERRY ADU looks when completed! We’ll work with you to obtain the building permits, but we are selective as to who will build these homes as we want them to look great and maintain excellence over time, this is why we have our warranty agreement after construction concludes with all of our clients

Changes can be made to the Streamlined plans but additional costs will be incurred for these changes. Changes made to streamlined plans may affect the permit approval timelines as well.

Best practice would be to go to our ADU configurator and select an ADU and options, send us an email and we will respond right away!

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