3 Reasons Residents of San Jose Should Have an ADU

There are an estimated 1.4 million accessory dwelling units in the United States.

Should you have one too? There are lots of reasons to build an ADU on your property, from increasing the value of your home to creating an extra living space.

We take a look at the top 3 reasons to build a San Jose ADU.

First, What Is an ADU?

An ADU is a secondary dwelling on your property. It can take many forms, from a purpose-built unit in your back yard to a conversion of an existing space such as your garage or basement.

It will be smaller than your primary living space and include a kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. It’s basically a small second home.

1. Additional Living Space

There are lots of reasons you may need or want to move home. Often it’s because you’re family is growing and you need more space.

Moving home is a costly and stressful decision. But there is another way.

An ADU is a perfect solution to bringing more space to your family home. Reduce tension within the family, clear up all that clutter and stop stepping on each other’s feet.

Are you’re older children not are quite old enough to move out and you’re not quite ready to let go? An ADU will give them a step toward independence, within the safety of the family bubble and give you all some breathing space during the difficult teenage years.

Alternatively, if you have younger children and a demanding career you may need a nanny to help you take care of things. An ADU provides somewhere your nanny can live and maintains privacy for you both.

If you have a large extended family, an ADU is a perfect place for visitors to stay and have their own space. You don’t need to all cram in one house for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other special occasion when you want the whole family together.

2. Safety For Your Elderly Loved Ones

It’s a horrible fact but despite best efforts, Covid-19 has spread throughout care homes and home care systems for the elderly in their own homes.

Injuries and accidents are also one of the most likely reasons an elderly person is hospitalized.

We all want the best for our elderly relatives, and an ADU can even be cheaper than an in-home care service or a care home facility.

By building an ADU in your back yard for your elderly relative to live in, you can give them the independence, freedom, and dignity they deserve. All while being close to hand if the occasion calls and for that quality family time.

An ADU can also be built with smart devices, monitoring, and CCTV equipment if you’d like. These can help whoever lives there with day to day tasks, give you extra peace of mind that you’ll know if an accident occurs, and give everyone added security.

3. Long-Term Investment

The average boost to the resale value of a property with an ADU in Silicon Valley is a staggering 51%.

It can also be an ideal space for you to move into when you want to downsize, leaving your main property to rent out or for your adult children to move into with their own families.

So no matter what you want to build an ADU for right now, you will continue to benefit from it for years to come.

Things to Consider

Of course, an ADU is a big investment, and there are some things to consider before you make a decision.

What Is Its Purpose?

Think about what you want your ADU for, and when you might want it for in the future. This will help you decide important decisions like where it should be and what type of ADU you want to build.

For example:

• A completely detached unit from your existing property
• An extension to your existing property
• A conversion on an existing garage
• A conversion of existing interior space (not permitted in San Jose)

ADU Guidelines in San Jose

There are a lot of rules and regulations to adhere to when building your ADU, such as it’s size and height.

Some ADU guidelines in San Jose are:

• Attached dwellings must be no more than 50% of the existing property floor area
• An ADU cannot cover more than 40% of your yard
• Bedrooms must not be more than 400 sq.ft.
• ADUs under 800 sq.ft may only have 1 bedroom
• Detached single story heights may not exceed 18ft
• Detached double story heights may not exceed 24ft

We have a full list of requirements on our website and are always happy to help.

ADU San Jose Costs

While it’s impossible to give an accurate estimate of the cost of your ADU without speaking with you about your requirements, here is a list of costs to consider. We also offer finance, so the cost doesn’t hold you back.

• Permits
• Excavation
• Footings
• Framing
• Roofing
• Windows and Doors
• Flooring
• Plumbing
• Electrics
• Insulation
• Drywall
• Exterior paint
• Interior paint
• Kitchen units
• Kitchen appliances
• Bathroom
• Worktops and tiling
• Stairs

Ready to Talk?

We’ve given you a lot to think about, but you now have some great reasons to build an ADU and an idea of all the things involved to get you there.

If you think a San Jose ADU is for you, we’d love to chat with you about your options and help you create a plan and an accurate cost for your project. Get in touch today.