How to Build an ADU in Sacramento?

Property owners who live in the city of Sacramento tend to broaden an existing property by building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). An accessory dwelling unit is a small house located close to the primary dwelling unit that has its own role and function for each homeowner in California and Sacramento.

You may have learned about ADUs before because these houses have other names like in-law units, granny homes, casitas, and second units. All these terms mean absolutely the same thing: a rather small building that is located on the same land plot as your primary residence. ADUs are a great add-on to one’s property, and in this review, we will explain why.

Moreover, we will provide you with the current legal aspects regarding ADUs construction in California and Sacramento, particularly. Lastly, we will give you some advice about the whole construction process and talk about choosing the ideal contractor that will build you an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) of outstanding quality.

Why Residents Order ADU Construction in Sacramento

You may be satisfied with your current real estate situation and never think of building any ADUs for the primary home. Even so, let us explain why Sacramento residents decide to create accessory dwelling units near their homes, and maybe you will understand that this single unit dwelling makes sense for you, too.

There are at least four solid reasons to start building an ADU near your main home in Sacramento right now:

Family

If your family currently goes through massive changes, such as a new baby being born or your parents retiring and moving in, having a full-fledged accessory dwelling unit is a wonderful idea. One of the points of building ADUs is to create another place where people can actually live.

For instance, if your parents or grandparents are retiring and wish to be closer to you, you can build an ADU and offer them to move in easily. Regardless of the square feet number your unit will have, it will be a comfortable situation for the elder relatives and a great way to reunite with the family if you want to.

Work and Hobby

Nowadays, many people have stopped going to their offices because of the COVID-19 pandemic but still suffer from a lack of a separate office room at home. That’s why some employees who don’t have an office anymore but have enough money decide to build accessory dwelling units: even if the units have moderate sizes, it is normally enough to create a perfect workplace that will be located outside of your house.

With all the ongoing stress we have these days, it is vital to split your work-life from your personal life, and an ADU may help you with that. Another case is when you have a hobby like painting or crafts and arts, and you need to have a separate space to work and store your art pieces. An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) will fit perfectly for that, too.

Additional Value for Your Tenants

If you rent your place out, an ADU will easily add some value to your property. Regardless of the rental term, you can attract renters with bigger families that need more space than other lessors can provide.

Accessory dwelling units make landlords flexible: if needed, you can open your ADU and leave in for your short-term or long-term tenants; however, if they don’t seek additional space to stay, you can lower the rental price and close the ADU’s doors or use the unit as a storage place for your needs.

Friends and Other Guests

If you always have friends arriving at your place, or noisy parties, or your partner enjoys inviting guests who stay “after hours,” and you don’t feel comfortable if they stay at your place overnight, the ADU building will solve the problem. Just in case, choose the ADU of regular size to fit at least two bedrooms there. Below, we will outline what ADUs types exist today on the market.

ADU Types Available Today

To make your ADU compatible with the primary dwelling unit and lawful in the city of Sacramento, you have to choose one of the offered accessory dwelling unit types:

• Detached ADUs
  

A detached ADU is a single-unit dwelling that stands separately from your main home. This option works well if you have guests, friends, or relatives who would be happy to have their own space while staying on the property.

• Attached ADUs

On the opposite side, there are attached accessory dwelling units that join primary homes and have a common wall. It can be, for instance, a garage that you used to have before and decided to convert into a brand new ADU.

• Junior ADUs

The difference between the regular and junior accessory dwelling units is the size: junior ones should be no more than 500 square feet.

• Conversion ADUs

This means that your ADU used to be something else before becoming an accessory dwelling unit: for example, you have decided to turn your garage into a living space.

Now that you know what types of accessory dwelling units exist let’s move on to see what laws and requirements are used by Sacramento residents and contractors when they build various ADUs in the region.

Laws and Requirements for an ADU in Sacramento

So, if you want to build an ADU on the property, you cannot just start the construction. Your unit must be with certain characteristics proposed by the existing legislation. For instance, there is a certain number of ADUs allowed for the primary residence in Sacramento. It depends on the number of families and on the situation. A single-family home can have at least one granny flat on its land plot. If you own the property and occupy it with your family, you may construct one regular and one junior ADU for the primary home that already exists.

Multi-family lots can construct one accessory dwelling unit per four existing dwelling units. The number of ADUs allowed may change with the legislation, so we recommend checking the rules before you begin construction works. There are also setback requirements for detached ADUs: they must be no more than 4 feet from the rear and side estate borders. Setback requirements do not apply for conversion and junior ADUs.

There are specific requirements for the lot size when you build an ADU in Sacramento. If you plan to build a single-unit dwelling with one bedroom, the lot size can be no more than 850 square feet. If there are two bedrooms, the lot size can go up to 1,000 square feet. These rules apply to both multi-family and single-family properties.

There is a minimum ADU size in Sacramento, regardless of the types of ADUs (attached, junior, and so on). The ADU should not be less than 150 square feet.

As you can see, there are different options and ways to legally broaden your property and attach some additional space for living or working right near your home. If you plan to build an ADU of any type, don’t forget to check the current laws. We will now turn to the topic of ADU builders in Sacramento city and recommend a decent contractor that has sufficient experience in granny flats construction.

How to Choose Your Perfect Contractor

Building an ADU in Sacramento requires signing a great contractor that has certain features and will be able to satisfy all your needs. Here, we will share a couple of recommendations about construction companies and their selection that will help you to find an ideal team.

There are some things you cannot avoid when looking for a company that will build an ADU near your primary home. Among the things to consider are:

• Clients’ Recommendations

The first thing you can do if you want to find a good contractor is to ask your friends and family about their recent experience with ADU construction companies. If you have no such people around and don’t know anyone who made an ADU or started a remodeling process in the last couple of years, the internet will be your helping hand.

Try googling reviews and comments on the company you are interested in. Don’t forget to pay attention to the photos made by users and clients because sometimes their pictures can be much more truthful than the photos published by the company’s management. Don’t be afraid of some bad reviews: all customers are different, and someone may hate something that you will love (and vice versa, of course).

Among the contractors in Sacramento that have the top rates and great reviews online is the A+ Construction & Remodeling company. This contractor’s professional team has been proving its experience for more than 10 years now. The majority of customers are content with the result, and you may find plenty of positive reviews on the internet.

• Licenses and Documents

Having all the required permits and licenses is essential for contractors in the United States and Sacramento, particularly. If a company doesn’t have a license or it expired some time ago, it is illegal for the company to keep working.

So, before you hire a team, regardless of its experience level, you shall ensure it has the needed documents. The A+ Construction & Remodeling company is on the list of contractors who have obtained all the demanded forms, follow all the development standards, and provide services in the city legally.

• The Contractor’s Finished ADUs

The last thing we would love to mention here is that you shall ensure that your taste and the company’s style are more or less the same. If the company works only in one certain style that you hate and make designs that you consider ugly, working with them is an awful idea. Don’t hesitate to ask about the complete works and the company’s portfolio to ensure that your project will not turn into a failure after all.

The A+ Construction & Remodeling company is happy to offer you different types of projects with a unique design and various features that you will enjoy. The team is attentive to all customer’s wishes and tries to propose extraordinary decisions that will surprise even the most experienced clients.

Tips on Building an ADU in Sacramento

Lastly, we would like to offer a couple of extremely simple but useful tips if you are into the building of an ADU in Sacramento. Regardless of the size of your ADU, the situation with an existing property, and other things, ensure that you have made the following:

Check your budget

Try to think about all the unexpected costs and don’t forget to add some extra money because construction procedures have unexpected spending almost all the time. Be prepared that things may go slightly off the plan, and you may have additional expenses for an ADU that you’re creating.

Choose the type and size of an ADU wisely and attentively

The decision shall be based on your needs and budget. Be careful and realistic about your future construction.

Participate in the construction process

The key to success is taking part in the work of your construction team. If something bothers you, don’t be afraid to discuss it with your manager. You should not be shy when it comes to such massive things. If you care about the result you will get, your ADU will be a fantastic place that will serve you for many years.

Follow our recommendations

Hire Reliable ADU Contractor in Sacramento – A+ Construction & Remodeling

Finally, we hope this review was useful and will help you to get the ADU of your dreams!

Cost is a major factor for homeowners when deciding to build an ADU. At A+ Construction & Remodeling, we are transparent about the cost of ADU in Sacramento – read more about here – https://aplusconstructionremodeling.com/adu-builders/. Our team works diligently to develop a comprehensive cost estimate that accounts for all aspects of the construction process. This commitment to transparency ensures that there are no surprises down the line. Furthermore, our pricing is competitive, providing homeowners with high-quality ADUs that offer exceptional value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to build ADU in Sacramento?

It’s not easy to predict the final cost of your future ADU in Sacramento. Of course, the pricing will depend on your unit’s design and ADU size in square feet, chosen materials, the contractor’s rates, and so on. However, on average, people spend around 100,000-200,000 US dollars on an accessory dwelling unit in the city of Sacramento (and in California, generally).

How much does it cost to build a detached ADU in California?

Again, it all depends on your project and its peculiarities. It doesn’t matter whether it is one of the attached or detached ADUs: your costs are counted from the selected design, how many square feet the unit has, the contractor’s services, the materials your ADU is built of, and other vital details. The price in the state of California also depends on location: it becomes more expensive in the bay because of the magnificent views, for example.

Can I build my own ADU in California?

Yes, of course. There is a regulation regarding a certain number of ADUs allowed near the primary dwelling unit that we have described above. To construct an accessory dwelling unit lawfully, you shall follow this rule and comply with the other requirements set by the local government (parking and setback requirements, a specific size in square feet, a certain height for different types of ADUs, and other property rules in Sacramento County).

Can I build an ADU on my property?

Yes, you can build an ADU on your property, making it an addition to an existing property. Remember that it is essential to comply with the local laws and norms. Hiring a great contractor that has relevant experience in building ADUs in Sacramento and the surrounding neighborhood is a smart move as well. Try following our recommendations given above, and hopefully, your building process will go smoothly and quickly.