Are you planning to construct an ADU, but having doubts which type to choose? When selecting house plan images and drawings, you need to consider lots of factors. One of them is the size of your future home. The bigger it is, the more expensive its construction is going to be. Also, note that a spacious home is much harder to maintain. So, while large floor plans may seem desirable to many people, in reality they’re not that great.

That’s why more compact ADUs, such as 800 sq. ft. ones, are gaining popularity nowadays. They’re cheaper and require less maintenance. In our article, we’ll look at such ADUs in detail. For more information on this subject, contact us or visit our website.

800 square feet ADU Project plans

An accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, is a secondary home situated on the same property as the main one. ADUs have many colloquial names such as granny flats, backyard cottages, and in-law suites. Usually, they have all the necessary conveniences and rooms: a bathroom, a kitchen, a living room, a bedroom or even two.

They can belong to several types:

1. Detached — standalone structures, separate from the main home;
2. Attached — connected to the main home via a common wall and, sometimes, a door;
3. Converted — unused garages, basements, or attics turned into ADUs;
4. Junior — the smallest ADUs. You can have such a home on your property in addition to a regular ADU. Often, this tiny home doesn’t even have a living room. Also, its plan frequently includes a small kitchenette instead of a kitchen island and a half-bathroom instead of a regular bathroom.

Moreover, there are ADUs designed for different purposes: to work, to live in, to host guests, and so on.

800 sq. ft. ADU Plan: the Major Advantages

Let’s look at the main benefits of 800 sq. ft. ADUs.

They are the following:

• Less maintenance. The larger a home is, the more upkeep it needs. It may take up all your free time, so you won’t be able to do your favorite activities. On the contrary, if a home is small, its maintenance is way faster and easier. This makes tiny homes a much more convenient alternative to larger ones;
• Budget-friendliness. If a home plan is small, constructing it is significantly cheaper. Also, it requires lower mortgage payments and house insurance, less cleaning supplies, furniture, design decorations, paint, and wallpaper. Because of this, a tiny home is a much more cost-effective variant, perfect for those who prefer to save money or don’t have a big budget;
• Having to spend more time in the open air. Even if a small home is cozy and comfy, it’s not big enough to spend all the time inside its living room. So, you’ll need to go outside much more often. Being outdoors is much healthier than staying at home all day — and also, it can bring you lots of excitement!
• Occupying less space. Some people dislike accessory dwelling units because they think such houses take up too much space in a property’s backyard. However, the smaller an ADU plan is, the less property space it requires.

800 sq.ft ADU Experience

So, an 800 sq. ft. ADU has a lot of important benefits. And if you think a small home is too cramped and inconvenient, you’re deeply mistaken! You can enjoy great comfort there, too, especially if you organize the space inside it and use multifunctional furniture. In order to have this ADU designed and built-in high quality, contact our specialists. You can do it via our website or by telephone. 

We have a lot of experience in all locations of California. Don’t wait too long!

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ

Is 800 sq. ft. a small home?

Yes, it’s rather small, but not the smallest. Much tinier ADUs also exist. An 800 square-foot ADU plan can include a bathroom, a kitchen, two bedrooms, and a rather spacious living room. If you organize its space the right way, you’ll be able to make this tiny home a very comfortable place for living.

How much does it cost to build a 1000 sq ft ADU in California?

ADU square foot prices vary from $250 to $420. The price of an ADU project depends on many factors: property location, size, materials, safety norms, local regulations, floor plans, design finishes, and the client’s personal tastes.

What is the smallest size for an ADU plan?

The minimum square footage of an ADU in California depends on the local jurisdiction, but usually, it’s 150 sq. ft. However, such a home would be too tiny, so it’s quite rare.

What is the cheapest option for an ADU plan?

One of the most cost-effective ADU types is a conversion of a garage or another existing structure. You don’t need to build it from scratch, so there won’t be any construction expenses. Prefab ADUs are rather cheap, too, since builders just assemble them from ready-made elements on the construction site. But their floor plans are often standard and unchangeable.