• What are ADUs?
• ADUs, or Accessory Dwelling Units, are housing units that are secondary to the primary dwelling on a property. Typically, to be considered a dwelling unit, a structure must contain a sleeping area(s), a kitchen, and a bathroom. ADUs can be rented out to generate income (long-term or short-term rentals), used to house family members, used as a guest house, or used as a flex space/office/some combination of the above options. ADUs have started to gain popularity in the last few years as a result of many state and local governments changing zoning laws to accommodate more housing, in light of the ‘housing crisis’ that we are seeing across many parts of the U.S.
• How much does an ADU cost?
• There is no generic answer to this question. There are many variables that affect price, including: 
• The total size of home/structure
• Quality of finishes 
• Eg granite countertops vs laminate countertops
• How to connect to the utilities system
• Does the electrical panel need to be upgraded?
• Does the structure need its own utility connection?
• How far away is the structure from utilities that will need to be connected?
• Location
• Soil conditions specific to the location affect type of foundation that will be required
• Slope of land 
• Access to building site
• Will we need a crane to build your structure?
• The type of ADU you want to construct
• Detached
• Attached
• Conversion of existing space
• There are many other factors outside of the ones listed above. That being said, the typical range for new construction ADU projects is from $250 per square foot, up to $500 per square foot. For converting existing space into an ADU, price can range from as low as $40,000 to $100,000 or more. Contact us to learn more about what your specific project may cost.
• Can I build an ADU on my property?
• The answer depends on a variety of factors, including 
• The zone district and taxing authority your property is located within
• Your lot size
• How much of your lot is already ‘covered’ with structures
• Is there room on your property to fit a structure within all setbacks
• Does your HOA/covenants allow ADU construction?
• The best way to determine this is to schedule a free consultation, in which one of our ADU experts will visit your property and provide an on-site assessment as to the feasibility of your project. Schedule a free consultation here: https://calendly.com/streamhome/consultation.
• How much income can my ADU generate?
• The income-generating potential of your ADU depends on multiple factors, but primarily depends on how much comparable properties are renting for in your area.
• How long does it take to build an ADU? 
• The total time needed to complete your ADU project from start to finish generally ranges from 4-9 months. Design work for ADU projects generally takes about 2-3 months, and construction generally takes about 2-6 months, depending on the scope of the project.
• Can I get financing for my ADU project? 
• Yes, there are several different ways to pay for your ADU project, including
• Cash 
• Use a cash-out refinance
• Use a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
• Use a construction loan
• These are the primary financing methods for ADU projects. We would be happy to introduce you to one of our preferred lenders that can walk you through what the best option would be for your situation.
• Can I use a modular/ premanufactured structure, like a tiny home, modular home, or shipping container for my ADU?
• Yes, prefabricated homes may be used as ADUs if placed on a permanent foundation and connected to metered utility services.
• Does my ADU need to have separate utility connections?
• No. Although your ADU must be connected to water, sewer, and electrical utilities, it is not required to have a separate connection / separate “taps” for these services. In some situations, it may be ideal for the client, but there is an additional cost to add new meters and have the ADU on separate connections.
• Clients must decide whether they will bill for the ADU utilities based on utility usage or through some other method, such as prorating the entire utility bill each month, or charging the ADU tenants a flat fee for utilities. Obviously, if a client wishes to bill for ADU utilities based on usage, they will need to either set up separate meters / taps for each utility (there are some ways to monitor utility usage for the ADU without adding new taps).
• How does an ADU affect my home’s value?
• Adding an ADU to your property will increase your home’s value, due to increasing the total living area on your property and your home’s income-generating potential.

Why Build An ADU?