ADU Cost Estimates - 3 Ways To Calculate Accessory Dwelling Unit Costs

[@HowToADU]

UPDATE: There's a 4th way to get a free estimate on your project with Realm l.realmhome.com/SL3vAO (affiliate link). Check that out for a free estimate. What's cool about this is that Realm will help you find vetted contractors and designers to complete your project, so they're incentivized to give you a realistic estimate!

[@tanabatacottage4746]

I am HERE for this content! No idea how the algorithm got me here but finally, someone giving straight up answers

[@HowToADU]

That's so nice to hear. Glad I can help. I want to help you build a little cottage, Tanabata Cottage! 😀

[@pcatful]

What an excellent presentation! Contractors need a full set of plans and specifications to make a bid-- but to some that "full set" is variable. It takes them a great deal of time to make bids and many of the good contractors simply don't make bids for every job. People are already waiting for them to do their project. But they do make estimates at some point. Contractors will be hesitant to make "ballpark" estimates, because costs could really vary after that, and they don't want either under-estimate or lose your business by not narrowing the costs carefully.

[@jmcampbell05]

Love your channel-- this niche you own!!! You could be covering anything-- your personality, intelligence, and self-awareness will make you shine!

[@HowToADU]

Too kind. Thanks for watching

[@sarahmurphy1951]

Wow. What a bright, earnest and personable guy!

[@HowToADU]

You’re too kind :)

[@MelissaLoeks]

Your videos are full of great information. Thanks for finding all this information and putting it in one place!

[@HowToADU]

My pleasure - thanks for watching

[@tpolerex7282]

I’m a designer in San Diego and have designed and currently in design/permitting several ADUs. 520 sf garage conversion hard costs ran $125k but bids were upwards of $60k above that.

[@mobilemoke]

You’re out of your F’in mind, a garage conversion. It has walls, roof, electrical on and on. You’re ripping people off!

[@tpolerex7282]

@@mobilemoke I’m not ripping people off, contractors are. Soft costs, including design are only a few thousand.

[@edwardmak2218]

I'm a contractor in the SF Greater Bay Area, from my experience the customer prices are way off. They seem to think they can get a custom new build for $200-250 per sq ft. They browse the web and see other parts of country are building at a much lower cost. They forget they live in SF Bay, which is probably they most expensive area to build in the country.

[@HowToADU]

Thanks for contributing! Would you share some actual projects cost in our California adu cost database? www.how-to-adu.com/contribute-california-adu-database You can help us anchor people more realistically.

[@rubengh777]

Do you have a rough idea on how much it would cost for a two level adu. Garage will be on the bottom floor, a studio with small kitchen and bathroom in San mateo county roughly 22 by 29 feet.

[@JohnLee-ot5ed]

But why should SF be much more expensive than the rest of the country. Is it the labor costing more? Does wood cost more in SF compare to Houston? It is not like a restaurant where the rent is more in SF therefore they need to charge more. I am hoping prefab will be the future - other than variations in permit cost, a person in Sf should not pay more than a person in Portland for the same product. You don't pay more on Amazon just because you live in SF or NYC.

[@someonespadre]

@@JohnLee-ot5ed higher cost of labor is a big factor I would guess. Labor can’t afford to live anywhere close so have to pay more to entice skilled workers to drive 2 hours one way every day.

[@boujeepistola2113]

How much per square foot should we be paying here in the Bay Area?

[@menolopez]

Im in the process of building an adu in SoCal (almost done with framing) once done I don’t mind helping out with the data base.

[@HowToADU]

Thanks so much. Every piece of data helps homeowners like you!

[@ogmookieloc420]

hi, im interested in turning my garage (unattached) into an ADU...where do I start? Did the contractor supply the plans or did you do that first? any help will be appreciated. also did you go thru a loan for the costs?

[@ThatADUGuy]

I am building ADU's in Oregon, on 1-3% slope, with B+ class finishes, within 100' of primary house/services for under $100/sq ft and would love to share how with your followers. I have a building backround but anyone can DIY these and come close to that number with the right planning and design. If viewer wants to be hands off, this does not apply. Thanks for all your work helping people take action!

[@sunshinechaser]

You are awesome! Thank u for sharing your wealth of knowledge with us!

[@HowToADU]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching

[@bschulho]

Thanks!

[@HowToADU]

Thanks for the support! :)

[@azucarweber2456]

Can you also deduct the change of getting a bad tenant and California laws let them stay for months without payment🚧🤺.. can you also add the money for keys situation in California and Canada now?

[@libertyinlosangeles3395]

Great content! Greetings from Los Angeles. Hopefully your database goes well! That's a great idea!

[@HowToADU]

Liberty In Los Angeles thank you for your support! We’re already getting entries. Exciting times!

[@Korina42]

Hi. We're looking at possibly converting the back half of our 1600 sf house into an ADU; we both feel guilty at having such a large place when Arcata (way up in the wilds of Humboldt Co.) is having such a critical housing shortage. And we could use the money too, of course. I'll definitely be watching more of your videos. Thanks for doing this.

[@HowToADU]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you're thinking about using the back half for an ADU. Good luck with your project!

[@1123nyny]

i want to use a boxable for an ADU, do you know what those cost look like

[@HowToADU]

I’ve written to Boxabl but they won’t give me the technical details I need to work with planning and building on my foundation and site costs. So the unit/shell is cheap but I don’t know how much site work would cost or bringing it up to code in CA. Looking forward to finding out!

[@user27278]

My brother self built his 1500 sq ft ADU 3/1 for 40k all in a few years ago. I'm aiming at 60k tops for 2/2 750 sq ft

[@HowToADU]

If you're in So Cal and you have an existing structure, then you might make it. I've heard of projects with budgets that low down there. Keep us posted and good luck!

[@user27278]

@@HowToADU Stockton to be exact, we are a family who work in the trades. Brother is a builder. My blueprints are being made right now, you are welcome to come make a video for content if you would like.

[@HowToADU]

@@user27278 awesome!

[@backyard9144]

@@user27278 did you end up making your adu ?? I’m in the trades as well thinking of building a 550sqft and do all the work myself hoping for 50-70k

[@user27278]

@@backyard9144 not yet, I submitted the plans in February and got a small list of corrections back in March. Then we just sent the updated plans back with corrected items about a week and a half ago now we wait again. This time it should go in. I also need to pull another permit to demo a small old detached garage that is in its place.

[@spark2053]

How come a lot of pre fab houses say they don’t work in LA?

[@HowToADU]

I don't want to talk out of turn, but I think a lot of modular companies are just starting off and they don't want to expand everywhere at once. Even though the unit is built off site, there's a significant amount of logistics and legal baggage involved in expanding. Another interesting facet is that the costs of labor in the SF Bay Area really drive up the cost of onsite construction. Modular can compete more easily with the exorbitant costs of onsite construction in SF and Oakland. Just a couple factors. Every company is on its own journey and you should ask them why they won't serve you!

[@hoangnguyen9947]

Hi! Do you know how much does it cost to have separate water meter? How much the San Diego City Development charges for the invoice, capacity and permit? Thank you!

[@HowToADU]

I'm messaging a colleague that works in San Diego to see if they can answer your question based on their local experience.

[@rogeria-p8t]

Hi. My husband is a general contractor and have just finished a ADU in north Bay Area. He would love to connect with you.

[@HowToADU]

Sure thing - [e-mail] :) Thanks for watching

[@rubengh777]

can you provide the link for the san mateo county adu calculator...

[@HowToADU]

Yes, bit.ly/adu-calculator-san-mateo Hope it's helpful! There's also a video I made about how to use it, step by step, and adjust it for your region. They've changed the layout a bit, but it still applies: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqfcpHqgi5Wbadk

[@SeasonalSunflower]

The database is a great idea 👍

[@HowToADU]

Thanks so much. I'm excited that homeowners have started sharing information. If you can share the link with anybody you know who has finished a project, it will help the whole community!

[@bibikhan5325]

What is the cost to built an adu garage in Palmdale, California?

[@HowToADU]

Garage conversions are notoriously hard to estimate accurately. If you use the "typical project quote" method then a builder like this will tell you that a typical garage conversion in the LA area costs between $100k-$120k with almost $20k of costs sitting before the construction starts. www.baycitiesconstruction.com/blog/adu-plans-construction-cost Notably, this also excludes permit costs. I'd start by having a professional come and see your garage to tell you if it's a straightforward conversion or if you're going to need to do anything expensive like foundation work. If you share your project with me, I'm happy to refer somebody (I am rewarded for introducing you). You can also contact a contractor you already know and trust who is experienced in garage conversions. To get started with me, share your project here: bit.ly/adu-start

[@tigranmanasyan6271]

Hi Bibi. I am also in Palmdale. Do you need someone local to draw up the plans and submit it to the city?

[@bennyoirech8987]

Hi Bibi, I am. Contractor in Palmdale ca. I can help you with your project

[@stevearcher5514]

what an I missing?......2018 about 25k to 30k garage conversion.....TUFF Shed 20x20 12k then convert......I'm missing something..what?

[@HowToADU]

Good question. It always depends on the project, but a lot of TUFF Shed conversions run into some big expenses when (1) bringing utilities, (2) foundation work, and (3) bringing the structure up to Title 24 energy requirements for a small space. If you're working on a shed conversion, I'd love to learn more about it - always looking for projects where people have cleverly found ways to save money and get the job done.

[@rslnola]

Totally different result, it's not even close. Permitted utilities and a sound structure on which to build out interiors and MEPs to start.

[@user27278]

Concrete alone will bring your tuff shed up about 10k.

[@anitaflores9043]

Thank you Ryan.

[@HowToADU]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching

[@joshgrothues7871]

What if you're in Texas..San Antonio area

[@HowToADU]

You could check if Realm works in your part of San Antonio - (Single Family residential addresses only) l.realmhome.com/w9J3di

[@scorpiom.o.5752]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@HowToADU]

Glad it helps. Let me know what other subjects I should cover!

[@scorpiom.o.5752]

@@HowToADU you’ve covered so much ground! Have you discussed connecting to waste, gas, and water lines?

[@alexander255110]

Hi! Amazing work here. I'm a trained statistician and would love to help you analyze the data and produce visualizations. Versed in anonymizing data, etc. Let me know if this seems like something you'd be interested to join forces on 🙂

[@HowToADU]

Thanks, email [e-mail] and I'll keep you in the loop. Haven't gotten many results in this database yet to be honest.

[@drdatalearning2213]

@@HowToADU You might want to set up a survey to send out to people. I'm also also a researcher and database admin. I would also help you for free with this.

[@HowToADU]

@@drdatalearning2213 Cool idea. I wish the government did it ;D but yes, maybe we have to rise to the occasion. Drop me a line at [e-mail] and I'd love to work on it with you.

[@aldoogie824]

It's really misleading. Nobody is getting a $60 garage conversion by a Licensed Contractor. It's an owner builder that hires unlicensed subs and barely has a proper habitable living space.

[@HowToADU]

Thanks for sharing! For what it's worth, I've visited conversion ADUs in CA with licensed GCs that cost less than $60,000 to build. But you're right that this is very rare and hard to do (which is what I tried to explain in the sentence after that in the video). 3:25

[@shanksbaggy8816]

+1

[@JohnDoe-rg4ef]

350 pr square feet . This doesn't know about that . He needs to go change his diaper

[@HowToADU]

I hope you finish a project on a lower budget, and share the results so we can improve the actual costs database - www.how-to-adu.com/contribute-california-adu-database

[@markjackson6829]

You lie!!! and I've unsubscribed! I say that for other people that may get ripped of by you and your by off contractors! Avoid this channel!!!

[@user27278]

Lied about what?