La Riviera ADU Builders

ADU Unit Construction in La Riviera

In this chapter, you can read the following things: what is an ADU and why you may need it, the main types of ADUs and the main things you need to know before building an ADU. Let’s look at this in more detail!

Reasons for building an ADU

Do you think that being an ADU owner would be great but still have doubts? Here are some reasons why you might need a second home at your property:

• A cozy home for your grandparents. Other names of accessory dwelling units are granny flats and in-law houses. And they are called like that for a reason – they are often built for grandparents and in-laws. It is really convenient when your elderly family members live near you but in separate housing. You can visit them, care for them and help them whenever they need, but their life will be much more quiet and peaceful than if they lived in your primary residence.
• Studio/workshop/home office. Owning an accessory dwelling unit is also very convenient when you’re a freelancer who works from home. With an ADU, you can sit calmly and concentrate on your job tasks without other people distracting you. Also, you can design your workplace as you like, so it will definitely be very comfortable for you.
• Rental income source. Another use for an ADU is a rented separate building. Especially if it is very well-done, beautiful, and cozy, different people will gladly live there, enjoying tranquility and peacefulness, and will pay you rent for it! If your accessory dwelling unit is situated in a really scenic place with a wonderful view, such as a pond or a forest, your rental income will be much higher. Isn’t that great?
• A place for guests. All ADU structures have kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and toilets – just like any ordinary single family home. So, it would be very comfortable for your guests to stay there for some days. Especially when you do not have enough space for them in your main house, or feel uncomfortable that they will sleep at your home during their visit.

Also, an ADU, even if it’s a little junior accessory dwelling unit, will definitely add more value to your building. If someday you decide to sell your property, an accessory unit will make it much more attractive for potential buyers and increase its home equity.

Types of ADUs

• Detached ADU is a building that is completely independent of your primary residence. The location of these ADUs is mostly in people’s backyards.
• Attached ADU is a structure with at least one common wall with your already-existing house. It can have a separate entrance.
• Garage conversion is the type of ADUs based on existing units – to be more exact, garages. Also, if homeowners want, they can build an ADU on top of their garage or attach it to the garage’s side.
• Home conversion is an existing space in the house, such as a bathroom or kitchen, which is turned into an accessory dwelling unit. ADU of this category is much rarer, but it can be seen too.
• Junior ADU or JADU is a small (500 sq. ft or less) accessory dwelling unit that is constructed in the existing space of a single-family home or other building.

What to know before creating an ADU?

As we have already said, the reasons for building accessory dwelling units can differ greatly, and so do their types. An ADU can be attached to your own home or be a completely different building. Also, it can be standard or junior. The latter is also known as JADU, and as it can be seen from its name, it is smaller than a regular one. Besides that, there is such a thing as a conversion ADU – when you take a garage or another already existing construction and turn it into a fully functional house with a bathroom, a bedroom, and a kitchen.

Homeowners who look for an ADU-building company in La Riviera can encounter lots of different firms that are specialized in constructing this type of housing. But in case you are in doubts about which contractor to choose, here are some important things which you definitely should take into consideration:

• Permissions and licenses. When you are seeking the right ADU-constructing company, it is necessary for you to make sure it is properly licensed and legally allowed to build ADUs and do remodeling tasks. A company that lacks permissions and licenses can be unsafe and unreliable, and vice versa; if a firm has all of them, it means that it is secure, well-established, and can be relied upon.
• Experience and a list of completed works. ADU building and remodeling is a very large field with lots and lots of various companies. However, sometimes their approaches differ, so it would be much better for you to look at the pictures of the company’s previously-built housing to decide whether you like their style or not. Also, you should not forget the simple fact that the bigger is the company’s portfolio, the more experience it has. So it is better to select a company whose portfolio is at least not too small.
• Photographs and reviews. Today, with global access to the Internet, it is possible for everybody to search for all the information and reviews about the company. It can help you greatly – you will know which constructor you should trust and which one will certainly let you down. If a company has much more positive reviews than negative ones – it means that it is probably very reliable and professional.
• Your financial possibilities. Do not forget one of the most important factors – the prices of ADUs. It is needless to say that you should choose the company whose ADUs are affordable for you and not too expensive. It can take much time and effort to search for the best combination of quality and price, but it is definitely worth it. Also, it is necessary to plan your ADU building or remodeling very well to avoid all kinds of unexpected costs.

So, who is the contractor who meets those requirements perfectly? Does such a company even exist at all? Yes. It exists, and its name is the A+ Construction & Remodeling company.

La Riviera ADU Construction Company

The A+ Construction & Remodeling company has been operating in California for a very long time, so its experience is really impressive. It offers a wide range of services, so if you want to construct an accessory dwelling unit at your property, its high-qualified staff will do whatever you need. You will definitely be satisfied with the results, regardless of the type of your building! And they always have a very affordable housing supply. Their prices are never too high.

This company has tens of completed accessory dwelling units in its portfolio. Lots of clients are truly glad and advise its services to their friends, relatives and simply to other Internet users on various forums.  If you consider creating an ADU, it would be a great decision to contact this company. It offers the most top-quality services in ADU construction, excellent materials, and resources. It will make your building fireproof, durable, and long-lasting because it strictly follows all the fire safety standards and building rules of California. The A+ Construction & Remodeling company owns a great portfolio containing ADUs of all kinds, including junior accessory dwelling units.

Building ADU in La Riviera

Because the USA is a federative country, its states’ laws can vary greatly. ADU building laws are no exception. So, how is this field regulated in Los Angeles County?

In the Golden State, there is a specific state code that includes those laws, and of course, in La Riviera, this code is also valid.

According to the California building code, if your existing house is a multiple-family dwelling, you can have two detached ADUs. Tenants of apartment buildings can construct one accessory dwelling unit per 4 residential ones.  Also, this law limits the height of granny flats. Detached ADUs should not be higher than 16 ft, and the maximum height of attached ones is 30 ft.

From the beginning of 2020, the state of California introduced new laws regarding the ADU building process. Now, it is permitted not only on single-family properties but on multi-family properties too. Apartment building homeowners, those who live in residential sectors, and, of course, owners of a single-family home – all of them can construct ADUs.

In addition to that, the permit fees are reduced, and other inhibitions are canceled. For example, a homeowner is not required anymore to live on the property where the ADU is situated. The new law also permits you to build accessory dwelling units of 500 square feet or less, called JADU or junior accessory dwelling units.

ADU of this type is situated within a single-family home or any of accessory structures – for example, a garage. Now, every single family is allowed to own one accessory dwelling unit and one JADU.

What about the size?

The typical size of ADUs in California is 800 square feet or smaller. The building area of a single granny flat is limited to 850 square feet. If the ADU is double, it increases to 1000 sq. ft.  It is possible to extend this space to 1200 square feet, but in this case, you will need to apply to La Riviera’s Planning Division. The minimum lot size is 150 sq. ft.

Also, a junior accessory dwelling unit will require a second parking space. But for a standard ADU, no matter, attached or detached, one space for parking is enough. Garage conversions also do not require extra parking lots.

Which materials and resources should you use to build your ADU? And in which style should it be? Those aspects are not regulated by the law at all. You can use whatever materials you want and build in any style and shape you like.

Fire protection measures

A very important thing is the regulation of fire protection. According to the state law of California, accessory dwelling units are not equipped with anti-fire sprinklers. So, it is allowed to use only traditional methods of fire protection. But don’t worry – the A+ Construction & Remodeling company always takes fire safety into account and builds maximally fireproof housing.

Standard accommodation requirements in 2020-2025 will not apply to accessory dwelling units. As for setback requirements, they are not needed for JADUs and ADUs, which are made from an existing garage or other structure. Of course, it should be legally formalized. The biggest setback that can be for a detached granny flat is only 4 feet from the rear and sidelines of the property.

Nowadays, the main regulations in Los Angeles County are the ones that we described above. But laws often change, so we strongly advise having a consultation with the local Planning Division before building the second house.

Prefab ADU Construction

Many ADU is constructed with a prefabricated approach. They are usually called “prefab ADUs”. They are built faster than non-prefab ones because the general constructor delivers all earlier-made parts of the house, which are assembled in place.

ADU Housing

What should you do before you start building your ADU housing? First of all, you need to determine all the exact rules and requirements in your areas, such as height, floor, or parking. To do this, you should contact the building or planning department. Then, you should check with the building department to determine all the rules, especially if your ADU is going to be based on a garage. After that, you will need to call the Fire Department for more information about fire safety.

The next stage is to cooperate with designers and contractors. You will need to meet skillful experts, such as the ones from A+ Construction & Remodeling company, to create a design for your ADU and estimate the price. After that, it is necessary to secure the financing of the process. You should include some additional amount of money into the total sum for different unexpected costs.

Then, you will need to ask the members of your City’s Planning, Community Development, or another department like this about all the exact guidelines and ordinances of ADU building in your area and the applications that you should submit to begin constructing. And once you obtain all the needed permits and your architectural plans are approved, you finally may start!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I build an ADU on my property?

Yes, of course, you can, if you have all the necessary possibilities and resources. An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) can be useful in several ways, which we have covered above. So you definitely won’t regret it! Moreover, the demand for ADU houses is growing daily. They are becoming much more popular in Sacramento nowadays, so they will be not only cozy and convenient but also trendy!

Does Sacramento allow ADU?

Yes, it completely allows homeowners to build accessory dwelling units. But they need to follow some rules, for example, the minimum and maximum lot size. You can read more about those rules above. If you want to learn them in more detail, you can read California Residential Code.

How much does a prefab ADU cost?

A prefab ADU is cheaper than a regular one because no architects or designers are involved in their building. Of course, it is impossible to say exactly how much prefab units cost because each case is individual. But in general, prefab ADUs cost 3-4 times less than ordinary ones. A great choice for single-family homeowners!