Why Build an ADU?

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), or a permanent structure as a secondary living space, offers many possibilities for homeowners. In 2016, the Bay Area’s SB 1069 legislation launched a statewide and national surge in ADUs. In March of 2022, the Bay Area Council chose to build on this success by proposing additional reforms to make getting your build approved less costly, easier and faster.

With the bill offering additional funding for ADUs in the state, the popularity of these living accommodations continues to grow. Creating a secondary space attached to or detached from your main house provides versatile solutions to suit your wants and needs. These designs include garage conversions, tiny homes, backyard cottages and more.

Benefits of Accessory Dwelling Units

Whether you want to build a space for yourself, family members, caretakers or renters, some benefits of ADUs include:

• Flexible living space: A customized build allows many shapes and sizes of living areas to suit your intended needs, such as establishing a more manageable living space for empty nesters without leaving the neighborhood or allowing multigenerational families to gather under one roof.
• Positive environmental impact: The smaller size of ADUs decreases your carbon footprint by generally consuming less in utilities and shortening your commute with incorporated recreational spaces.
• Improved infrastructure: A secondary living space allows you to reconfigure the structure on your property in cities with high populations, providing a viable alternative to waiting for more housing to be built or finding a different place to live.
• Increase property value: Adding additional living to your residential space can offer a 20-30% increase in the worth of your property, depending on your location, size and features of the ADU.

Potential Uses for Accessory Dwelling Units

If you already know what you’d like to use an ADU for or need some inspiration, the customization for these builds offers these opportunities:

• Support family members: An additional living space provides alternative housing options for family members, such as in-law quarters or a place for adult children to live at their parents’ home with some added privacy.
• House on-site caregivers: The added component of an ADU provides families with the convenience of keeping a nanny or live-in nurse on the property while maintaining privacy and independence.
• Receive additional income: A possibility for short-and-long-term rentals through Airbnb services or with tenants offers a way to earn revenue.
• Create home gyms or offices: The ability to create a work-from-home office, studio or gym space provides homeowners with accommodations right from their property, letting them save money by eliminating transportation expenses and membership fees.

Learn more about ADU Benefits Today

If you are interested in more information about the benefits of ADUs, feel free to reach out to our team at Valley Home Builders. Our experts specialize in the planning and construction of ADUs, home remodeling and additions in the San Francisco Bay Area. We are happy to provide you with more insight and answer your questions to help you begin a project.

Call 408-248-8000 or request a free consultation to get started!