Cost to renovate a Berkeley two-unit home for renters and its aging owner.
Bill and Mieko, homeowners in Berkeley, came to New Avenue for help with a major renovation on the property his mother had just purchased.
The newly acquired property, which was next door to Bill and Mieko's home, was a duplex with guest rooms on the second floor and a larger living space on the first floor. Bill and Mieko wanted to turn the first floor into a place where Bill's mother could live safely and comfortably with her dog and cat. They also wanted to renovate the second floor to include a two-bedroom apartment accessible only from the outside and a guest room that would be part of the main home.
It was important to Bill that his mother be comfortable in her new home, so he asked for an elder-friendly design that would not look institutional.
A New Avenue partner designer created a design that would meet Bill's mother's needs and make her feel at home.
To help Bill's mother enter her home safely, a deck with new stairs and a ramp was added.
The structural renovations included a fire-rated wall between the two units and voluntary seismic upgrades to protect against earthquake damage. The outside stairs leading up to the two-bedroom rental unit were replaced.
New floors and new lighting were installed throughout. The home's plumbing fixtures were replaced with new ones, and storage space was remodeled.
Many design elements were put in place specifically for Bill's mother. A place for the cat's litter box and a "catio" were included in the design. A french door was installed in place of a window for improved accessibility. The stairs leading up to the main entrance were replaced with safer stairs and a ramp.
Plans for the first floor, which was designed to be the main residence.
The highlighted portion of the second floor is a guest unit for the main home. Unit 2 will be rented out and is only accessible from the outside.
At the time of this project, the total cost for design and construction was $452,062.34. In 2020, this project would cost $519,871.30. You can view the complete budget below.
