Room additions, weighed against an ADU
More space for the household or a separate unit to rent: we compare an addition with an attached ADU on your lot before drawing either one.
Addition or attached ADU
Both add square footage against the house. An addition becomes part of your home. An attached ADU has its own entrance and kitchen and can be rented. The rules, fees and setbacks differ between the two, so we price both for your lot when either would work.
Ground floor or second story
Building out takes yard and must respect setbacks. Building up keeps the yard but needs the existing walls and foundation to carry the load. An engineer's review tells us whether a second story is practical.
Tying into the existing house
The roofline, the floor level and the heating and cooling all have to meet the new room. We plan those connections so the addition feels like it was always part of the house.
Room Additions: questions
Yes. Every addition needs plans and a building permit. We prepare and submit them.
Sometimes, if it was planned with a separate entrance and space for a kitchen. If that is a possibility, tell us early so the design allows for it.
Not always. We check the existing system's capacity and plan an extension or a separate unit if needed.
Compare an addition with an ADU
Tell us what the extra space is for. We reply with which option fits the lot and the goal.