The New Avenue blog

  More than decade of content on the things we love: your home

Kevin Casey 10/9/16 Kevin Casey 10/9/16

3 Essential Tools Every Accessory Dwelling Unit or Custom Home Needs: A Design Agreement, Construction Agreement and Budget

Kevin Casey 10/8/16 Kevin Casey 10/8/16

How tall can my guest house or accessory dwelling unit be?

The City of Berkeley is currently updating their accessory dwelling codes and height is an issue that is being reviewed. Many cities struggle with this. This is a summary of what you get for 16′ vs. 18′…

Kevin Casey 10/5/16 Kevin Casey 10/5/16

How to hire a designer & what to expect in your first design session/meeting

Kevin Casey 8/11/16 Kevin Casey 8/11/16

A Fixed-Price Construction Agreement Is the Only Way to Stay on Budget

Kevin Casey 8/10/16 Kevin Casey 8/10/16

Harvard Study Shows Healthy Homes + Indoor Air Quality Have Massive Impact on Intelligence

A Harvard study reported a 101% increase in cognitive function in greed buildings with fresh air that is piped in. This is the most significant green building insight we have ever seen – it simply blows everything else out of the water…

Kevin Casey 8/9/16 Kevin Casey 8/9/16

When and how to pick appliances when remodeling a home or building a new home

There is often a question about who buys the appliances for your new kitchen and when to buy them…

Kevin Casey 8/7/16 Kevin Casey 8/7/16

Cost of Adding a Primary Bedroom Suite and Accessory Dwelling

Kevin Casey 8/6/16 Kevin Casey 8/6/16

How to Stay On Budget With A Designer & What is an “Additional Service”?

At New Avenue we have determined that the best practice for providing design services for remodels, additions, and new custom homes is to provide detailed Design Proposals…

Kevin Casey 8/4/16 Kevin Casey 8/4/16

Cost to design and permit a backyard studio in Berkeley, CA

One client in Berkeley wanted to convert her garage into something she could use as a studio and as a guest house with the possibility of living in it herself sometime in the future. A New Avenue design professional created a studio with laundry facilities, a bedroom, a living area, a full bathroom, a half bathroom, a workshop, and a utility sink. Here are the costs of design and permitting.