Having great views of the Verdugo mountains and close to all the nature that it offers and being less than 15 miles from downtown Los Angeles, Altadena offers a great location for homeowners. However, being closely pressed against the mountains makes Altadena a difficult city to grow beyond its limits. Human ingenuity has always enabled us to find solutions to such limitations, and this is where additional dwelling units come to the picture.
WHAT IS AN ADU (ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT) ?
The suburban home boom that started 7 decades ago reflected the spirit of Manifest Destiny coming to the common man. It allowed the average working class American to own a home with a great backyard view, a lawn and garage for his automobile/s. This was the classic American growth story and an inseparable part of the American dream for a long time till the 2007-8 housing crisis. That was a wake-up call for homeowners to think in a different direction.
You could do 1 of 2 things, either leave the comfort of your suburban dream home for the unknown or maximize the unutilized space in your suburban property to its fullest potential. Hence, the accessory dwelling unit (adu) and adu builders came into the scene.
Now, adu’s are not a new invention, adu homes have more than a century of history behind them. The first major wave came during the decade of the Great Depression. This was followed by a suburban boom lasting more than 5 decades that culminated in the 2008 housing crisis.
So to put it bluntly, an accessory dwelling unit is like the name suggests a house that is “accessory” to the main house. Since most suburban housing units came with attached garages, adu garage homes became very popular. What it means is that you renovate your existing garage space into a rental unit, which can be a great way to get additional income for your home mortgage. Either renovating the garage or adding an additional floor over the garage is a very ideal way to set up an adu. Converting backyard or front yard spaces are also not just ideal ways to create adu’s but a great way to cut out the excess costs that comes with lawn maintenance.
WHY BUILD ADU HOMES IN ALTADENA ?
Altadena sits at the foot of the Verdugo mountains in the greater Los Angeles metro area. The mountainous terrain presents 2 challenges to further growth. The primary issue is expanding into the Verdugo mountains, and it almost puts an end to the urban sprawl that LA is known for. Secondly, building on hilly terrain requires a certain level of expertise that cannot be attempted by every builder. Adu homes, therefore, provide a great alternative to maximizing existing property space in Altadena.
Also, since January 2020, the state of California has been implementing some of the most lenient laws regarding the construction of different types of adu units for combating the housing crisis. This has been a big boon to adu builders. Some of the more recent adu home laws in California show that the state is looking at accessory dwelling units to provide a positive role in property development in the state of California.
TYPES OF ADU UNITS
Throughout history adu’s have been referred to as mother-in-law units, granny flats and the like. Almost giving you a negative connotation about them. However, since adu’s have become an essential component of properties in California many types of adu’s have come to the scene. The 2 main types are the typical ADU versus the JADU. (Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit) The key difference between the 2 types of units is the size. JADU’s are typically less than 500 sq ft while ADU’s can be up to 1200 sq ft. in size.
The other way to classify adu’s is by the type of adu unit. Adu’s can either be attached to the property or be a detached adu home. The most common form of attached adu homes are adu garages. Converting empty garage space into rental units is a great way to maximize existing property use. Adu homes can also be either single or multi story units.
CONCLUSION
So here is a question for you.
Are you using your garage to its fullest potential? Do you need additional living space for your family, friends, or guests? – Turn your garage into an In-Law Suite, Rental Unit, Home Gym, Art Studio, She Shed/Man Cave, and much more.
Besides creating additional living space, an ADU can Increase your home’s value. fact, a recent study by the National Association of Realtors found that homes with ADUs sell for an average of 7% more than homes without ADUs. You can use the space to generate income.
Regal Construction & Remodeling will use its over 16 years of knowledge and expertise to make your vision a reality. Our meticulous attention to detail and commitment to top-notch craftsmanship ensures that an ADU built by us will exceeds your expectations. Design, permitting, construction, and finishing – all under one roof for a seamless experience.
We create ADUs for your needs and budget. Every project is unique, and we are dedicated to delivering exceptional results.
Customer satisfaction is paramount. We go the extra mile to ensure you’re delighted with your ADU. Our rates are competitive, and we can recommend financing options to make your ADU project a reality.
NEIGHBORHOODS WE SERVE IN ALTADENA
- North Altadena
- East Altadena
- West Altadena
- The Meadows
- Altadena Town Center
- Lowell Avenue
- Lake Avenue Corridor
WE SERVE THE ABOVE NEIGHBORHOODS AND ALL AREAS WITH ZIP CODE 91001 AND 91003.
READY TO KICK-START YOUR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU) REMODELING IN ALTADENA?
We’re just as excited about your home’s fresh new extension as you are, and we won’t rest until you’re completely delighted with our work. Let us know how we can help transform your Altadena garage space into a remarkable home improvement! Contact Regal Contractors at (818) 214-7223 or email info@regalrenovation.com. Alternatively, simply use our quick form here to get your free consultation with the best!
