An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a legal and regulatory term for a secondary house or apartment that shares the property of a larger primary house.
Examples of an ADU could be a guest house or a detached garage with a rented apartment above. The establishment and use of an ADU will fall under different zoning rules and regulations depending on where you live.
Detached ADU
A detached ADU is built in the backyard of a main home. It can be used to rent out, as a guest house, or whatever suites your needs. It is almost like having a smaller home in your backyard.
Attached ADU
An attached ADU is the same as a detached ADU, except that it is attached to the house.
Garage conversion
A garage conversion turns an existing garage, whether attached or detached to the home into a livable space.
Carriage house conversion
Similar to a garage conversion, carriage houses are built within a garage with high ceilings. Typically, the downstairs area remains being a garage, while the area above the garage is transformed into an apartment.
Home addition
Additions can be built as separate living units in the home. They increase the square footage of your home and can be built as a one- or two-story structures. There are a number of different type of additions such as:
Junior ADU
Junior ADU's are limited to about 500 square feet. A JADU must in proximity or attached to a proposed or existing single-family home or for example a garage or an attic/basement (also known as an in-law suite). JADU's can share the restroom with the main home and only need to meet the "efficiency kitchen requirements."
We specialize in the following architectural styles:
We love our customers, so feel free to call during normal business hours. You can also submit the inquiry form below and we'll get back to you shortly with a free project estimate.
Many property owners have wasted space in their garages that could be used for something wonderful.
An ADU installation requires professional skill, which is where we come in. Our structural engineer will work with you to design the space and take care of all your garage conversion services for you.
The California Housing Finance Agency's (CalHFA) ADU Grant Program provides up to $40,000 for preconstruction costs associated with an ADU.
To qualify, the homeowner must first obtain a loan from a CalHFA-approved lender.
You also need to meet the income range, which varies by county.
Earlier we stated that the funds would only be applicable for pre-construction costs (also known as soft costs) We want to clarify what those types of costs are to prevent any confusion.
Pre-construction costs include the following:
The grant cannot be used for construction costs such as material or labor.
The homeowner needs to pull a construction or renovation-type loan.
This is because the program is designed for homeowners who need financial assistance.
Pre-approved lenders link is provided below: https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/apps/approvedlenders/.
Once the loan is approved, the lender will forward your paperwork to CalHFA. If it is approved, $40,000.00 will be added to the pre-existing loan funds. We do want to clarify that the $40,000.00 will not be handed to you.
If the application process is successful, the following will be made available to you:
$40,000 from CalHFA's grant that will only cover pre-construction costs.
$X amount from the lender that will be used to cover construction costs.
There are two primary requirements in order to be eligible:
You need to live at the property where the ADU is being built.
You need to meet the income limits. Income eligibility requirements vary by county. A list is provided below for your reference: https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/homeownership/limits/income/income.pdf
Additional requirements might be requested, but for the most part these are the primary two requirements.
Unfortunately, if you already spent out of pocket for these types of costs, the money cannot be reimbursed to you.
However, the grant money can be applied by your lender to reduce the loan principal. Please remember to save your receipts! You need them in order to send them to your lender to reduce your loan principal.
This will reduce the amount you need to pay back for the loan.
If your pre-construction costs end up being less than $40,000, the remaining funds can be applied to non-recurring closing costs. Non-recurring closing costs are costs that are only paid once, for example loan fees and interest rate buy downs. This will help lower your interest for the loan.
At Omega Structural Inc. Building Contractors, we offer a range of services to meet your building needs. From new construction to remodeling, we have the expertise and experience to make your project a success. Our team is committed to delivering exceptional workmanship and outstanding service. Contact us today to learn more.
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