New laws were passed in 2020 that make it easier to build these units, superseding previous local regulations. These changes include updates to zoning, permit requirements, and developmental standards. ADUs can now be built on properties zoned for both single-family and multifamily use. However, it's important to keep in mind that zoning, regulations, and fees can vary depending on the municipality.

We are happy to help. If you live on a residential lot and have enough space and necessary access, you are allowed to build one detached ADU along with one junior ADU (a unit that is not more than 500 square feet and is located within the home). And if you happen to live on a multifamily lot, you can even have two detached ADUs on the property.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are a great and affordable option for adding more housing to your neighborhood. The best part is that they cause minimal disruption to the existing infrastructure.

The popularity of ADUs is increasing because of the new favorable legislation and increased awareness about them. Backyard homes are also perfect for certain socioeconomic trends. For instance, they let you age in place or form multigenerational households, making it easier to share caregiving responsibilities and costs.

Moreover, ADUs can provide you with additional rental income, which is especially helpful in an uncertain economy. If you're looking to downsize and simplify your life while still living in your favorite neighborhood setting, ADUs are a great option to consider. Let's make your dream home a reality.

Perennial cash flow using the ADU rental while your value of the home increases.

Our building process usually takes anywhere from seven to twelve months, but it really depends on the location and scope of the project. We can probably give you a better idea once we know things like which city are you planning to do it, the size of the home and so on. Don't worry, though; we'll keep you updated every step of the way!

We currently offer our full service in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, cities such as Fremont, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Redwood city, San Mateo, San Jose, Palo Alto, Campbell, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Hayward, Newark, Union City, Cupertino, Milpitas, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, Los Gatos, Foster City

Please text or call us if you would like to know if we offer services in your City.

We're delighted that you're interested in our ADUs. We build them using high-quality prefab construction, which is also known as manufactured or Modular housing. This means that they're manufactured in controlled factory conditions and undergo an extensive inspection process to ensure their quality. Unlike traditional onsite builds, which can be costly and unpredictable, prefab construction allows us to make sure that we provide you with the best quality at an affordable price. We're here to help you every step of the way and guarantee a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Prefab" is an abbreviation for "previously fabricated." It implies that the building was constructed in a factory and then transported to the installation site, where it was finished. Our prefab modules are transported to your location by truck and installed in your yard. By using prefab construction, we can keep costs low, maintain high quality, and make the process more efficient.

There are various types of properties that can accommodate an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit). We offer homes that range from 325 square feet to 1,200 square feet. Email us for further details.

Our ADUs are built on a perimeter stem wall, concrete foundation, and Xi2 foundation.

Yes, all of our Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) foundations are designed and engineered to ensure earthquake safety.

In most cases, the connection to the sewer is established outside the primary residence, while the connection to water service is accessed through the foundation and into the basement of the primary residence. But don't worry, our ADUs make it easy for you by connecting to the existing electrical service either through the main panel or a separate panel located on the outside of the house.

Our units are all electric and require 200 amps. We can help update your electric panel to comply with California state law if needed.

It looks like we might need to upgrade your percolation system to make sure you have enough capacity. The good news is that we can figure out the right upgrade for your system based on its current capacity and the size you're looking for.

We have great news! Our units come with a 15-kilowatt electric furnace that can warm up a 1,500-square-foot interior perfectly. However, the air conditioning is not included in the standard package as the cities do not mandate for A/C as a requirement for the homes, but we can provide it for you as an upgrade. So, let us know if you're interested, and we'll make sure you stay comfortable all year round!

Cities sometimes have special building regulations for hillside construction. The feasibility of hillside construction must be determined on a case-by-case basis.

A manufactured home is built in a factory according to the National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards. This is a consistent building standard that is enforced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and takes precedence over local building codes. These homes are distinct from mobile homes in that they are placed on permanent foundations and are considered part of the real estate.

Our prefabricated homes undergo a rigorous inspection process that is specifically designed for the factory production environment. It is easier to maintain uniformity, consistency, enforcement, and thoroughness in a factory setting, and inspections are carried out alongside the manufacturer's in-plant inspection and quality assurance process. This ensures that our homes meet the highest standards of quality and safety.

The HUD code offers several advantages. Firstly, when you choose HUD-approved prefab homes, you can skip the entire plan approval process through local building agencies. Secondly, federal standards guarantee quality design and construction, strength and durability, transportability, fire resistance, and energy efficiency. Thirdly, the HUD code establishes performance standards for the heating, plumbing, air conditioning, thermal, and electrical systems.

Prefabricated homes can cost up to 45% less per square foot than traditional site-built homes due to technological advancements and process efficiencies. Actual prices may vary based on location, home design, and scope of work.

The timelines of plans/permits depend on various things such as the city you are living in, the size of the home you need, and type of the home you live on currently etc, if you can email us contact@expandadu.com we can give you a more informed and updated timeline.

According to new California state laws, if an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is located within a half-mile radius of a public bus stop or rail station, an additional parking spot is not required. Similarly, if the ADU is situated on a street that requires on-street parking permits, but the permit has not been offered to the occupant of the ADU, an additional parking spot is not required. Furthermore, if the ADU is located within one block of a public car-share program, an additional parking spot is not required.

In case you choose to demolish a parking stall to build an ADU and your property is within a half-mile radius of a bus stop, you are not obligated to replace the demolished parking stall.

In most areas, the setback requirements are around 5 feet from the back and side fences and ten feet distance between the primary home and the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). However, if both the primary home and ADU have fire sprinklers installed, the required distance can be reduced to six feet. The requirement for front setbacks may vary depending on the city and zone.

Our team will handle all necessary reports as part of our standard service, which is included in the price. The reports required will be dependent on the property and project.

The newly implemented state regulations have made it clear that Homeowner Associations (HOAs) are not allowed to obstruct the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

We will set up a separate cable and, if required, phone service for the ADU. If the ADU is rented out, the tenants may assume these bills. In most cases, the ADU owner adds another garbage receptacle to their monthly bill and then bills the tenant for the extra cost. Existing recycling receptacles should be enough for recycling requirements.

When an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is permitted, it is assigned a separate mailing address. This is usually done by adding “A” to the primary residence’s address and “B” to the ADU’s address. If you wish to have a separate mailbox installed, we can do so in a location that is compatible with existing mail service.

ADUs do not trigger Prop 13 and your primary home will not be reassessed. However, your property tax will be recalculated based on a blended assessment, which will result in an increase of about 1 percent of the value of the ADU in your annual property tax.

The blended assessment method guarantees that the existing house retains its original value while the current market value of the ADU is added to it. You can rest assured that we will also create a comprehensive depreciation schedule for you.

There are various financing options like construction loans, cash-out refinancing, and home equity lines of credit. Although we are not a lending institution, we can assist you in connecting with a few banks/financial institutions you can choose to work with.

ADUs can be rented out to Section 8 voucher holders, just like any other housing.

Our ADU experts can work with you to create a payment schedule that fits your unique needs. Schedule a call to discuss your options.

We provide a comprehensive breakdown of all project costs, including unit price, permits, sitework, delivery, upgrades, and more.

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) can increase the value of a property, thereby boosting the price of the primary home when it's time to sell. However, numerous factors affect home prices, and each case is unique.

The base installation cost covers a range of services to accommodate most sites, with the final installation price tailored to your specific property. The base installation scope includes: Full-time project management by our operations team.

Allowances for building permits and encroachment permits necessary for installation, General site infrastructure, including mobilization, a site toilet, protective work zone barriers, and required stormwater contamination prevention measures, Surveying services for a typical Backyard installation, including boundary and foundation surveys Site clearing, including small bush and shrub removal, Minor landscape irrigation rerouting at the installation location, Standard foundation installation designed for most sites in California, Equipment, labor, and materials for utility connections, including 100' of 3" sanitary sewer, 75' of 60A electrical conduit and wire, 75' of teledata conduit, and 50' of ¾" PVC water line A crane capable of lifting your ADU at least 125', traffic control, and safety barriers for delivery day Wooden entry stairs at the main entrance, Touchup and final cleaning after delivery

Please reach out to us and we can discuss these once we visit the site.

We'll help you identify potential extra costs early on. However, be aware that the following factors could lead to additional costs: Remote properties with significant travel for our crews, Additional permits and services required by your local jurisdiction, Concrete or structure demolition, Deep lots requiring extra trenching, utilities, or a larger crane Tree removal beyond minor shrubs and bushes Electrical service upgrades (though usually not needed) Fire sprinklers and water upgrades Limited site access that requires hand digging or other costs Re-routing of larger irrigation lines encountered during excavation (>1" Line) Unforeseen site conditions discovered during excavation or permitting

Local agencies charge impact fees to manage development projects. ADUs under 750 sq feet are exempt from the impact fee.

We offer more than 15 floor plans for you to choose from. In order to keep the process simple and affordable, we provide predetermined customization options. For instance, we can create a mirrored layout of the unit and often include sliding doors and skylights. Yes, there is some flexibility to customize the floor plans.

We offer three interior looks with designer-selected color palettes. Limited color customization available for simplicity, efficiency, and cost.

The standard roofing material for our series consists of black three-tab asphalt shingles. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate custom roofing materials, but installing another roof type on top of the shingle roof is fairly easy.

Our standard flooring options include carpet, linoleum, and plank vinyl. Some models offer engineered hardwood.

Our units come with all the necessary appliances pre-installed, which includes an electric range with an oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave/range hood combination, and a hook up for washer/dryer. However, to receive a certificate of occupancy, it is mandatory to have these appliances installed. In case you have your own appliances, kindly provide us with the specifications of the appliances so that we can ensure there is enough space for them.

While we do not offer ADA-compliant homes, we can help you make certain design changes to make your home more accessible. Our dedicated ADU expert can guide you through the design process and suggest the best options available for your selected unit. A few examples of potential modifications are installing wheelchair ramps, adjusting cabinet placement, and adding grab bars. We are excited to share our ideas with you.

Our standard scope of work does not include either of these tasks. While we can help you with a general budget for additional site work, we do not factor it into our proposal quotes.

The installation process is designed to be as quiet and non-disruptive as possible.