Many people dream about living together with their big family, including children, parents, and even sometimes extended family members such as uncles, aunts, and cousins. However, it may turn out to be difficult to accommodate such a big family in one living space, especially if it is a single-family home or an apartment. It is clear that every family member requires their own personal and sleeping space, but the existing space simply does not allow homeowners to make their dream come true and spend a lot of time together with their nearest and dearest.
So, the idea of an own tiny home located either inside or outside the main property seems really attractive to those who wish to increase their living space. Many cities in the country can already boast a large number of tiny houses finding themselves in the backyard, and are called ADUs (accessory dwelling units), granny flats, secondary suites, or laneway houses, and have become one of the housing options that allow creating an atmosphere of a close-knit family living a happy life together.
Tiny house types
If you got interested in building a tiny house or an ADU, you may benefit from learning what types and kinds of such property you can consider on top of your main house. We have prepared a few ideas for you to implement when thinking of accessory apartments:
- A detached accessory dwelling unit is a stand-alone unit that a homeowner can build separately from the main building to house family members. These tiny homes or detached ADUs are independent living spaces that would allow maximum privacy for all property owners.
- There can be internal ADUs, in which some part of the main property takes the form of an accessory dwelling unit and is neither a garage nor a basement.
- A popular option of an ADU among housing choices with a separate entrance is to convert a garage or a basement into a living space. While the primary residence will be allocated to a bigger part of the family, a garage or a basement can serve as an affordable option for extended family members.
- Building a bump-out attached to a primary house, especially if you do not want to save the front door to yourself only. This type of tiny house can add to the overall design of the main building as well as be an affordable housing option for aging parents.
Tiny homes benefits
On top of having extra space in the main house, there are some other perks of having an ADU as part of your private property.
Take a look at the list of potential advantages that an ADU can bring you:
- You will be surprised to learn how much value building an ADU can add to your existing house. In case you are planning on selling your house at any time in the future, the increased value of it will definitely bring more buyers and make your home stand out from the others in the community.
- A good ADU is one of the extra resources for a rental income. Even if your ADU is not supposed to be occupied by a family or visiting friends, you can use it as rental housing and save the money earned with it for different purposes.
- If you want to set the best rental rates, consult a local real estate agent to help you make the best choice.
- Since the use of an ADU depends on its primary purpose, think of how else you can take advantage of it. Perhaps, you need a small office for your remote work or a workshop to paint or do carpentry.
- Backyard cottages are perfect when you want to ensure a decent level of privacy. This way, you will not be disturbed by visitors and can spend quality time together with your family.
Tiny homes buildingÂ
Building a new construction is definitely a bright idea, especially if the square footage allows it. The number of benefits certainly beats the minor drawbacks that having an ADU can bring.
However, it is important to consider the following when planning ADUs on your property:
- It is a must to abide by the law when building an ADU. That means there are certain zoning regulations that you need to follow in order to make your ADU legal. If you are not sure about any rules or regulations, you can always contact your local building contractor, building councilor, or other jurisdictions.
- Remember that having two dwellings will directly influence property taxes and the cost of insurance. Make sure that you are ready to plan your budget carefully when thinking of an ADU.
- Not only the tax and the insurance but the building process itself is also a costly thing. You will need to buy all the materials, take care of the plumbing system and electricity ( if you consider having them), get familiar with local ordinances, and pay fees to designers and builders.
- Keep in mind that building an ADU may have a direct impact on your everyday life because of the noise, dust, and other things related to renovation. If you use the driveway, it may be blocked by some materials, or in case you have a garden, you may not be able to spend time there for quite a while.
Tiny homes Contractors
It is not a secret that not every local government will permit ADUs on your private property. So, if you do not want to get into trouble with the illegal building process, it is best to know all the ins and outs of the procedure before you get down to it.
Of course, you can simply google some information, but it is not always the case that it is true and updated. For this reason, we recommend consulting a contractor who will guide you through all the details of having an ADU and answering questions like “What documentation does an ADU require?” or ” Can an ADU add extra value to my home?”.
It is important to ask professionals for help when it comes to such big investments. It is also vital that the contractor that you are turning to is reputable, responsible, and can deliver the project on time. We advise you to seek advice from our company so that you are totally satisfied with the result at an affordable price and do not break the law.Â
Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ
Can you permanently live in a tiny home?
It depends on the features and the facilities of your tiny home. On our website, you can have a look at the tiny house gallery and see what you can afford to have inside it. It goes without saying that a decent living place needs to have the same lot of things as a real house, like a plumbing system, electricity, good airflow, and natural light. Without it, it may be hard to live permanently in a tiny house.
What does ADU stand for?
An ADU is an abbreviation for an accessory dwelling unit. It can be a separate building or the one attached to the house you are living in. These tiny houses are meant to accommodate visitors when they come for a visit or can become a perfect space for aging relatives to live in. Alternatively, you can rent out this tiny home and get some extra income from it.
Are tiny homes worth buying?
It depends on what your future plans are. If you are on the verge of moving in together with your mom and dad, or think ahead and wish to increase the value of your house before selling it, then the answer is definitely yes, a tiny home is a good investment. Building a tiny home just for fun may not pay off in the long run.
What are the drawbacks of an ADU?
Although an ADU can solve a whole lot of problems that you may face when having a huge family, there are still some downsides when it comes to building it. For example, you will need to be compliant with all the rules and regulations that apply to building a tiny home, make sure that you meet zoning requirements, and not splash out on unnecessary things.
To make your new tiny home a perfect place, it is advisable to contact a reputable contractor.
Is an ADU a good investment?
Many homeowners have already decided to invest in an ADU, but why? First of all, this tiny home can double as a workshop or a home office, and the boost of productivity that it gives can have a positive impact on your promotion at work. Secondly, another source of income will never be a thing to miss out on, and you could make an ADU a rental property. Finally, in case you need to sell your property, you will only benefit from having an ADU there since the value of your home will rocket.
What is the difference between an ADU and a guest house?
Guest houses, in comparison with ADUs, are not supposed to have an area for cooking, whereas an ADU is a separate space fully equipped for comfortable living. On top of that, ADU needs to have its own bathroom, and this is what makes it an appropriate place for permanent living.