Building an ADU Costs How Much? It's more complex than you'd think
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- čas přidán 5. 07. 2024
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There's a lot of misinformation out there when it comes to the cost of building an ADU. We'll put it bluntly, ADUs are not cheap, but when you compare the cost of buying a condo or a home, they are a vastly superior option.
You probably can't even get an empty plot of land for the cost of building an ADU. In this video, we'll cover how to think about costs, how to figure out the cost of your ADU, and how to determine if this is a good financial move for you.
WHY YOU SHOULDN'T USE COST/SQ FT
We've seen so many sources use cost/ sq ft as the go-to tool for determining the cost of an ADU project. Let's say someone tells you that an ADU costs $300/sq ft and you want to build a 600 sq ft ADU. Easy math right?
Unfortunately, the cost/sq ft is going to vary wildly depending on location, lot characteristics, chosen finishes, architectural choices, and more. We've seen cost/sq ft number vary from $200 to $1,000 for projects that are about the same size! That's why we recommend you use starting costs as a base point for determining what your ADU will cost.
HIDDEN COSTS
A lot of people don't really think about utility connections, but it's such as crucial part of your ADU. Every modern home needs running water and electricity!
Utility costs represent a material cost for your construction project. Depending on how far back you decide to build your ADU, you might have to trench those utility lines. In most cases, you'll have to dig through 3-4 ft trench through what might be an existing concrete path.
Another cost a lot of people don't think about is solar. If you are building an ADU from the ground up and it is detached, you will have to add solar. If you are doing a garage conversion or an attached ADU, you do not have to add solar.
The final hidden cost is time. A lot of people will try to hire inexperienced builders or designers to save a couple thousand bucks, but they end up getting stuck in months of long permitting wait times, delayed construction, and numerous revisions.
If you're planning on renting out your ADU, this just delays the passive income that you could be receiving had you hired an experienced professional who knows how to keep to schedule.
WHAT IS AN ADU?
ADU stands for accessory dwelling unit. An ADU is a permanent additional housing structure built on a property that already has a main home or main structure. You may have heard them referred to as granny flats, casitas, guest houses, or in-law suites. They can be built on a single-family lot or multi-family lot (duplexes count as multi-family).
An ADU has its own entrance, separate from the primary house, as well as a kitchen, bathroom, and living space.
Accessory dwelling units can be rented year-round and add a lot of value to your property. They can be garage conversions, stand-alone units, attic or basement conversions, or be attached to the main house.
ADUs are exceptionally flexible, and most owners find that their use for the unit evolves over the years. The main reason people build ADUs in California is to house a relative, usually a parent but often an adult child. The second most common use is to rent for additional income.
If you're looking to build an ADU on your property, get connected to some of the top ADU professionals in your area. You can check your address here app.maxablespace.com/start/
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Thank you for the many great points. 5:36 - 5:45 is an is huge!
$300-$400 sqft is totally ridiculous
Good stuff! Let me know if you ever want to dive into cost saving designs and practices.
Let's do it!
Do you look at existing home value compare to building ADU. All homes today will sell for 3 or 4+ hundred per ft. If you build an ADU for 2 or 3 hundred per ft. You get instant equity.
Gawd. They just passed a local ordinance that anyone living in our area by the creek can only add an ADU 300 square feet.
How about 2 ADUs to apply? I thought everyone plan to build 500, 750, 800, even 1k sf.. ADU and JADU. I built one!
@@ymyoume4386 unfortunately 300 is it per property
@@budnspudthen don't build, tiny and cost much on construction vs. tax!! You may buy shed/storage room, fashion one for home office or else, my neighbor installed one, with windows & AC 🙂
@@budnspud if this is in CA that's not legal, FYI.
Wow that's messed up, the cost for 300 sq foot JADU is around 100,000 back in 2021. Now it's probably double that and you have to rent that JADU for 3,000 a month to pay it off or because you just can.
No one has any regard for how unfair and expensive building an ADU is and how sad it is for those renter who either rent for 3000 a month or can very likely end up homeless.
This is all doomed to fail and I can not wait, something's got to give. These prices are inhumane.
We agree 100%. Unfortunately, high interest rates are one of the main culprits behind these prices, but we have high hopes that things will stabilize in 2023.
I just completed my 500 sqft adu, i served as my own general contractor. And i am a novice, dont even know how to use tools... total cost, about $80K. It was actually easy
500 sf adu is doable with 150k