Pricing Your Project in a World Gone Mad
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Pricing Your Project in a World Gone Mad

If you ask a contractor for an estimate, you’ll most likely get a quote that’s just plain wrong. We’re talking a +/- 30% difference (or worse). 30% too high, and you won’t get the best value for your money. 30% too low, and you may be left with a hole in the ground while you scramble for financing.

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Plans for an accessory building with laundry and half bath in Oakland
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Plans for an accessory building with laundry and half bath in Oakland

A homeowner in Oakland wanted to add space to her home that could be used as storage, a guest room, a laundry room, or a home office. New Avenue created this accessory building to enhance her property, making her home into a place that better suits her busy life.

For many homeowners, adding an accessory structure like this makes it possible to stay in the neighborhood they love. It’s an efficient way to add square footage to your home without the expense and difficulty of buying a new home in the area.

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Converting a garage into a guest suite or rental unit in Menlo Park
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Converting a garage into a guest suite or rental unit in Menlo Park

Erin’s new attached ADU can be used as a guest suite, additional space for the homeowner, a home for family, or a rental unit. This kind of ADU rents for $2,500 or more per month, which will be enough to pay for the project and additional expenses such as helping with the mortgage on the main home, travel, education, leisure activities, or retirement.

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Can I add two accessory dwellings to my home in California?
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Can I add two accessory dwellings to my home in California?

When California passed AB 68, among other groundbreaking legislation related to ADUs, we were thrilled. The new laws gave California homeowners more rights related to adding ADUs to their property, including the right to add two accessory dwellings. So for most homeowners, the answer is yes, you can add two ADUs. Here’s a look at some plans for adding two ADUs developed for a client in Berkeley.

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Photos and plans for an accessory dwelling in Albany, CA
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Photos and plans for an accessory dwelling in Albany, CA

The homeowners’ New Avenue design professional created a home with one bedroom, a bathroom, a washer/dryer, a kitchen, and a living area with bamboo flooring. The family will be able to bring in around $3,000 per month in rental income. The ADU will pay for itself in no time, and they can also use the income to pay for the mortgage on the main home, education, travel, or anything else they may need.

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Building an accessory dwelling for a family compound in Orinda
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Building an accessory dwelling for a family compound in Orinda

New Avenue assessed the property to help the homeowners determine the best course of action. We found that the old ADU was built in 1932, at the same time as the main home. Structural damage, a weak foundation, and asbestos made the original cottage unsuitable as a home.

The family opted to build a new ADU. New Avenue’s experienced design professional created an accessory dwelling that fit beautifully on the property.

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Building a garage apartment in Berkeley

Building a garage apartment in Berkeley

Many people replace their detached garages with ADUs, scrapping the garage entirely. Others say, “Why not both?” and add an ADU over their garage. For this project in Berkeley, the homeowners contacted New Avenue to create an entirely new two-car garage with an apartment over it. Here's the design.

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Project of the Week: a huge ADU in El Cerrito
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Project of the Week: a huge ADU in El Cerrito

This successful entrepreneur knows a good opportunity when she sees one. That's why she decided to add an ADU and live in it herself. (She plans to rent out her main house.) While she didn’t feel like she needed the additional income, she knew it would be a great investment.

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ADU Hindsight
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ADU Hindsight

We’re sharing some of our clients’ post-project thoughts. Here are some examples of what we hear from new ADU owners.

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An end to unfair housing policy in Berkeley?
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An end to unfair housing policy in Berkeley?

Berkeley just proposed putting an end to single family-housing, and it's national news. The Elmwood neighborhood was among the first in the US to zone against multifamily housing. Single-family zoning became the backbone of exclusionary, unsustainable, segregated housing. Last week, Berkeley’s city council voted unanimously for a resolution to end exclusionary housing.

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Start your journey

Reach out to New Avenue today to begin the transformational process of adding an ADU, renovating your home, and designing and building a custom house for your family.