How Much Does an ADU Cost? The Average Prices Explained

Are you wondering how much does an ADU cost? If yes, you should check out our guide here to learn more about accessory dwelling units.

Did you know that there are more than 13 million ADUs in people’s homes? With so many people having an accessory dwelling unit in their home, you might be considering adding one yourself. One of the questions you might have is “how much does an ADU cost?”

Keep reading to learn more about the average prices you can expect to pay.

How Much Does an ADU Cost?

The truth is that an ADUs price can and will vary based on the builder, location, and size. The average price for a legal ADU with a full kitchen and bathroom is $75 per square foot and goes up higher depending on how big you want it and the materials you choose.

If you are converting your garage into an ADU the average price will start at $80,000 and for a stand-alone ADU, the average price will start around $150,000. A detached unit will cost more because the construction will be starting from scratch vs adding onto your existing home.

Permits and Licenses

Every state and municipality is different. Some states will have higher permit fees than others and some areas might have no fees because they are encouraging ADU builds.

The main concern when taking out a permit is that the ADU has to comply with the current building code as if it is a brand new build. If you are adding to an existing garage then the ADU conversion would be considered an alteration permit instead of a new build permit.

If you live in an area that has a homeowner’s association (HOA) then you will have to double-check if you are allowed to add an accessory dwelling unit. If it is allowed then you just have to make sure that you only use the colors and materials that they say are permitted.

Why Build an ADU?

One of the most common reasons that people build an ADU is to increase the value of their property. Having an ADU will bring the value up because it can also be an investment for Airbnb to bring in extra income.

Another reason that people opt to add an ADU is to have their elderly parents move in nearby but still have their own space. If you don’t have elderly parents you might like the extra space for family or guests when they come to visit from out of town.

If you are still debating whether you want an ADU or not we have 8 reasons that might sway you to construct your own ADU right here: https://actonadu.com/blog/8-reasons-you-should-consider-building-an-adu-in-san-jose.

 

Ready to Build an ADU?

Now that you have an answer to the question “how much does an ADU cost?” you can make an informative decision whether you want to build an ADU or not. If you decide to move forward don’t forget to take out any permits you need beforehand to avoid any headaches in the future.

Did our blog post come in handy today? Please browse the rest of our site for more informative articles.