May 27th, 2022

Will an ADU Add Square Footage to My House?

Accessory dwelling units are self-contained housing units subordinate to and located on the same parcel of land as a single-family home. The California Legislature reduced regulations for building ADUs in 2020 as a way for homeowners to create affordable rental housing opportunities for individuals or families.

How Will an ADU Add Square Footage to a Home?

If you’re wondering how an ADU adds space to a home, here are some great examples:

  • An ADU added 400 square feet to a one-bedroom home in Downtown Sacramento—that’s enough room for a bedroom or home office.
  • A two-bedroom home in Davis gained over 800 square feet when the owner added a detached ADU to his backyard. The ADU has a kitchenette and bathroom.
  • A three-bedroom house in Gold County gained 500 square feet with the addition of an attached ADU.

ADUs differ in size, materials, and how they connect to the main house.

ADUs like this one can add square footage to your home, so why not contact Anchored Tiny Homes in San Jose and reap the benefits yourself!
All California ADU's Have Specific Characteristics in Common, For Instance:
  • May be as large as 1,200 square feet (some people can build a detached ADU as large as 1,600 square feet)
  • Are subject to local zoning and building codes (including requirements for additional rooms, such as kitchens and bathrooms)
  • Certain types of accessory dwelling units can attach to the main house

What Other Benefits Do ADUs Provide?

Adding an ADU to your property can increase the value of your home by up to seven percent on average. There are also a few different types of ADU's. An Attached ADU connected to another part of your home, or Backyard cottages and sheds that sit on your lot. Our research looked at all three ADUs and found that they can add as much as 35% to a home’s value. This means if you have an attached unit or a detached unit on your property valued at $100,000, you could be looking at an additional $35,000-$50,000 in increased value just for having an ADU!

An ADU can also help you increase your rental income. For example, if you decide to rent out your ADU, you could earn $1,000 to $3,000 per month depending on where you live in California and other factors such as vacancy rates and rents.

The Takeaway

Designing an ADU is slightly different from a new home or other interior conversions; there are many things to consider. But the result, done right, is likely to be a space that can add tremondous value to your home and create more income for you. If you’re looking for an experienced ADU contractor then be sure to call Anchored Tiny Homes in San Jose today for a free consultation.

Contact Anchored Tiny Homes in San Jose experts today and discuss if ADUs are the right investment for you.