How to add an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to your property

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) can increase the real estate potential of a single-family home.

What is an ADU?

Have you ever walked around a neighborhood and noticed a mailbox and address numbers near a second entrance of a single-family home? Or, when walking in alleyways, seen an entrance to living quarters attached to a garage? If you have, these are accessory dwelling units, often called ADUs. ADUs are an incredible housing solution in established areas because land and space for new construction are limited. Generally, an ADU is considered:

• A newly constructed stand-alone structure on an existing property

• A home addition that creates a separate living quarter detached from the current home

• A conversion of an existing space, such as a garage or basement, into a separate dwelling

Can I build or add an ADU to my property?

Before you get too far along in your planning process, consult the building department of your city or county. Often, governments favor ADUs and may have programs or incentives in place to help streamline the building process of your ADU. Therefore, checking in with them in advance can help you identify the potential.

How much does it cost to build an ADU?

The pricing for an ADU will vary. If you are ready to plan the construction or your ADU, consult a design professional like an architect or structural engineer. They will help you create the construction documents that will inform you of the other costs of your project. Having the floor plan and the plot plan in place will help the city or county understand the scope of your project. These documents can then guide estimates when soliciting contractors and will even inform you of the fees associated with your ADU permit.

What are the benefits of an ADU?

Having an ADU on your property can increase its overall value and provide an opportunity for passive income if you plan to rent the space to tenants or visitors through a booking service like Airbnb. Typically, ADUs will also have higher-value fixtures and appliances, adding additional value to the overall property in an appraisal.

If you are ready to create an ADU on your property, call Quantum Structural Engineering and Design, LLC, (307) 286-5255. Deacon Maggard, PE, of the firm, has firsthand experience adding an ADU to his own property and has helped a variety of clients through the process.