Building a backyard cottage or secondary dwelling unit in Menlo Park, CA
The secondary home includes a bedroom, a kitchen, a bathroom, a living area, and an office. It will save the family more than $3,000 per month in rent and allow them to live together, helping each other and being near one another every day. Here are the plans.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ADU design considerations for short-term (Airbnb) vs long-term rental
When designing an ADU, there are many factors we consider. One of the biggest is the “use.” In other words, what will the ADU be used for?
What is the increase in property taxes when building an accessory dwelling unit in Mountain View?
We generally see a property tax increase of one-half of one percent of the cost of the project. Design, permitting, engineering, and construction for this project totaled $657,356. Once the project is complete, the homeowners expect to see a property tax increase of around 3,286.78. The main home will not be reassessed when the ADU is assessed.
Remodeling a multi-family home in Berkeley
The owner of a multi-family home in Berkeley came to New Avenue for a major remodel of a two-bedroom, two-bath rental unit. While parts of the unit were salvageable (e.g., the beautiful redwood and a few of the walls), this unit was almost entirely rebuilt. It needed a new foundation and major work in all areas.
How much do property taxes go up when building an ADU rental cottage in San Jose?
The property taxes were $14,456. In San Jose, we typically see a 22% increase in property taxes when adding a detached accessory dwelling. For this property, that means an additional $3,180.32 per year in property taxes.
Will I have to pay more property taxes if I add an ADU in El Cerrito?
At $1,500 a year, the tax increase on this project breaks down to $125 per month. The homeowner easily recoups that with the savings on housing costs. The owner’s mother would have to pay $2,000 per month for a one-bedroom home of her own. If the family rents the unit out, they’ll bring in at least $2,000 per month in rent.
What is the increase in property taxes when building an accessory dwelling in Berkeley?
A small ADU like this one costs a total of $250,000. That includes design, permitting, engineering, red tape, all site work, construction, and project administration. As a result of adding an ADU like this, you can expect to see a tax increase of…
Converting a basement into an apartment or ADU in San Francisco
The basement, which was entirely for storage, makes the perfect place to add an accessory dwelling unit. With a living/dining area, kitchen, bathroom, and patio, this will be a great home for a single person, a couple, or a pair of roommates. Plus, the homeowners don’t have to give up all of their storage. A storage room accessible from the main home is included in the plan.
Floor plans for a one-bedroom guest house with kitchen, bathroom, and attic in Berkeley
If Patricia rents out her new ADU, she can use the rental income to pay for the mortgage on the main home and the mortgage on the ADU. Or she can use the money to cover other expenses such as education, travel, retirement…anything she needs now or in the future. Here are the floorplans and elevations for Patricia’s new ADU in Berkeley.
How much do property taxes go up when building an ADU rental cottage in Los Gatos, California?
What is the increase in property taxes when building an accessory dwelling unit in Oakland, CA?
As with any accessory dwelling project, the property taxes will go up once construction is complete. In California, we generally see an increase equal to one-half of one percent of the total cost of the project. Here’s what that means for this Oakland three-bedroom ADU.
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.
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.