The Engineering Reports You’ll Need
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.
New Net Zero Energy ADU in Berkeley
This ADU is loaded with extraordinary features including solar energy, an incredible storage loft, an accessible bathroom, and luxurious finishes.
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.
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.
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.
Replacing a patio with an accessory dwelling in San Jose
A nice one-bedroom home with a study like this will pay for itself in rental income. In San Jose, this rental home would bring in $3500 or more in rent. That’s enough to make mortgage payments on both the ADU and the main home.
ADU Hindsight
We’re sharing some of our clients’ post-project thoughts. Here are some examples of what we hear from new ADU owners.
Plans for a 700-square-foot ADU in San Jose
The home includes two bedrooms, a kitchen, a full bathroom, a washer/dryer, a living room, an attic, and plenty of storage space. A sun tunnel and plenty of windows provide natural light, making the home feel spacious and energizing.
Cost to build an art studio/accessory dwelling in Berkeley
The main art studio area is equipped with floor-mounted electrical outlets and receives tons of natural light through the unit’s clerestory windows and NanaWall, which easily folds back to open the entire front wall. The homeowners can enjoy the light and fresh air when the wall is open and will be protected from the elements when it’s closed.
Cost to design and build a second-floor addition in Berkeley
Steve, a homeowner in Berkeley, wanted to add more space to his one-bedroom, one-bathroom home. He hired New Avenue to design and build a second story with an additional bedroom and an additional bathroom. Here are the plans and costs.
Cost to Build a 640-Square-Foot Accessory Dwelling in Berkeley
Cost to Design, Permit, and Build a One-Bedroom ADU with Home Office in Mountain View, CA
A homeowner in Mountain View asked New Avenue to create a 640-square-foot accessory dwelling that would serve as a comfortable home for a family member. Here’s what the project cost.
Converting a garage to a guest suite and storage in Berkeley
Many homeowners find that their detached garages could be more useful as something else: a guest suite, a home office, or a rentable accessory dwelling unit (ADU). Here are plans and drawings for one garage conversion project in Berkeley.
Converting a workshop to a guest room or home office in Redwood City, CA
Robert and Rose of Redwood City, CA, owned a beautiful property with a detached workshop and a detached garage. They came to New Avenue looking to get more from their existing structures through a major remodel. New Avenue created a design that would unite the two smaller structures, making the most of the existing buildings while forming a usable space that supports the homeowners’ needs.
Cost to design, permit, and build an attached accessory dwelling in Berkeley
When Lori decided to add an attached apartment to her Berkeley home, she contacted New Avenue. Lori needed a nice home for her mother that could be rented out later. A New Avenue design professional created an attached ADU with a kitchen, a dining/living area, a bedroom, and a bathroom. The designer also designed a deck with a trellis and a new driveway for the property.
Cost to add a one-room accessory dwelling to a home in Menlo Park
This project, built in 2018, cost a total of $290,964.78 for design, permitting, and construction.
With a versatile design like this one, the family will be able to use the ADU as a gathering space, an additional home, or a rental for additional income. Over time, the ADU can serve multiple purposes, evolving to meet the owners’ needs.
Building a two-room workshop with bathroom in Concord
Cost to add a 430-square-foot backyard cottage in Berkeley
The backyard’s slope provided a lovely view from the rear of the yard, and Betsy hoped to take advantage of that in adding an ADU for her family. A New Avenue design professional created an ADU that could serve as a comfortable home and gave it a large deck and stairs to accommodate the unique backyard. The plans include a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a living area.
Building a backyard office and darkroom in Berkeley
When Valerie and Tim wanted to add a darkroom and home office to their property in Berkeley, they contacted New Avenue. The space in their backyard was perfect for a detached accessory structure, and New Avenue’s design professional created a place that would work as storage, a creative studio, and a workspace for the homeowners. The space includes ample storage, an important consideration for those who want more space for their work and hobbies.
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.