June 2021

Building an accessory dwelling unit in Los Angeles is becoming easier than ever. Here are a few reasons why Los Angeles homeowners are seeing the value in constructing accessory dwelling units on their properties. Accessory dwelling units in Los Angeles are becoming extraordinarily popular for a variety of reasons. Whether you need additional space for members of your family, if you want to build an entire home office, or if you want to rent the living space out to tenants, accessory dwelling units in Los Angeles can provide innumerable benefits. A lot of Southern Californians struggle to find affordable housing and adjust to the rising costs of living. Building an accessory dwelling unit on your property can simultaneously provide affordable housing while giving you a reliable revenue stream. Investing in your residential property not only keeps it nice for you and other inhabitants, but it can also give you long-term financial security by raising the value of your home. If you’re considering undertaking an accessory dwelling unit construction, here are a few reasons backyard accessory dwelling units in Los Angeles County could be a good idea for your property and your lifestyle. Accessory dwelling units are highly flexible. Even if you don’t plan on renting the unit out to a tenant, you can still glean significant value from your accessory dwelling unit in Los Angeles. Building a dedicated home office is an excellent strategy for people who need a dedicated space for remote work, or who want to begin an entrepreneurial venture. Another great use for accessory dwelling units in Los Angeles is for personal fitness. If you would rather exercise in the privacy of your own home where you control the sanitation and upkeep of the equipment and the environment, constructing a home gym could be an excellent strategy. And keep in mind that uses for an ADU can evolve — it can start out as a living space and transition into a gym, entertainment room, or rental space later on. Accessory dwelling units are also excellent for people who have to care for an elderly relative. It provides proximity to family members for necessary support while giving the loved one space for relatively independent living, because all ADUs are fully functional living spaces with resources for cooking, sanitation, living, and sleeping. If your funds are limited and your property has garage space that can be repurposed without greatly inconveniencing you, a garage conversion accessory dwelling unit in Los Angeles might be your best solution. Garage conversions are typically the most affordable class of ADU because you’re effectively redesigning a structure, rather than building one from the ground up. Best of all, they take less time to construct than a standalone ADU, so you can have your extra space ready to use in a matter of months. EcoSmart Builders helps Los Angeles County homeowners construct exquisite accessory dwelling units using sustainable materials and designed to suit the aesthetic of the primary residence. To learn more about accessory dwelling units in Los Angeles, please visit our information page.

ADU garage construction seems like a big job, but knowing some of the important details in advance can help make the process easier. EcoSmart Builders specializes in providing Los Angeles County homeowners with the resources and tools they need to undertake an ADU garage conversion successfully. ADUs — accessory dwelling units — are proving extremely popular solutions for homeowners throughout Los Angeles. This is likely due to continually evolving lifestyles affecting housing decisions (more people working from home; more cross-generational families), as well as the extremely high cost of rent and residential property in the state. Constructing an ADU not only creates affordable rental housing for Los Angeles residents, but also enhances the homeowner’s property value and presents numerous opportunities for using the expanded space, from home offices to living quarters for family members or tenants. However, there are a lot of things you should know about constructing an ADU on your property. If you think an ADU garage conversion could be a potentially profitable solution for you, here are the answers to a few of the most frequently asked questions about ADUs. What is an ADU? An ADU, or accessory dwelling unit, is a secondary living space on a residential property. ADUs can be attached units that are connected to the primary residence but with a separate entrance, detached units that are entirely independent of the main house, or garage conversions, where the existing garage space is transformed into a livable unit. There are also junior ADUs, which are under 500 square feet. ADUs must have their own entrances, and they have to function as wholly separate living spaces with their own facilities for cooking, sleeping, living, and sanitation. They are also known as “granny flats.” Is it legal to build a smaller home on an existing residential property? ADUs are legal in California, and even encouraged. Single-family and multi-family residential property owners may build ADUs, and multi-family property owners may even build more than one. How do I find out if my property can support an ADU? It depends upon the size of your property and the existing features. Do you have a large backyard? Do you have a garage you don’t use? Do you have an unused bedroom that could accommodate a separate entrance? You can find out if your property qualifies by taking our short survey. How do I use an ADU? ADUs have a variety of uses, and the best thing about having a fully functioning living area on your property is the flexibility it provides. For example, you can rent it out to tenants to generate additional income. You can use it as a home office. You can create a home gym. There are countless applications for an ADU. How long does ADU construction take? The length of time to build an ADU will depend upon numerous factors, including the layout of your property and the type of structure you elect to construct. A standalone ADU might take longer than an ADU garage conversion, because a detached, standalone unit has to be built from the ground up, while a garage conversion repurposes an existing structure. What does an ADU garage conversion cost? Like the length of time it takes to build an ADU, the cost of a garage conversion will depend upon a variety of factors, including the size of the unit, the amenities you wish to include, the condition of the garage (and whether it is suited to become an ADU), which finishes you want, and other issues. Contact a representative to discuss pricing and other issues related to constructing an ADU on your property. Do I have to live on the property after the ADU is constructed? California state law stipulates that the addition of a junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU) requires owner occupancy, but a standard ADU does not. EcoSmart Builders was founded to provide residential property owners the support and expertise necessary to construct durable, beautiful, and eco-friendly ADUs. If you think an ADU garage conversion could be right for you, please visit our information page to learn more about constructing ADUs in Los Angeles County.

Garage conversion to apartment space is one of the smartest investments homeowners near or at retirement age can make. Here’s why garage conversion might be an excellent strategy, not only for your long-term retirement security, but also for the security of your family. If you’re approaching senior citizenship, a retirement fund is critical. If you’re a homeowner and want to add additional revenue to your retirement account, one of the best options is through garage conversion to apartment space. It can significantly extend your retirement savings and even provide you with extra income for day-to-day living. Moreover, your ADU (accessory dwelling unit) can offer you the resources you might need as you and your partner age. Currently, Southern California housing is at a premium, and purchasing an additional home is extremely difficult for middle-income residents. If you’re already a homeowner, increasing your property value can give you security for the coming years. If you have children, it also offers fully independent space for them to come and stay or even live. Why is a garage conversion to an apartment space a great investment? It is estimated that nearly one-quarter of all adults between the ages of 23 and 37 have moved back into their parent’s homes, making a garage conversion to an apartment space an excellent opportunity for both parents and children. This helps children develop their financial futures while enhancing the value of the property, and possibly providing considerable future income. Additionally, a garage conversion is the most affordable ADU solution both in terms of outright cost and construction time. Homeowners don’t have to have an entirely new structure built, but have an existing space refurbished and transformed into a fully functional living area. In Southern California, ADUs have proliferated, particularly in Los Angeles County, where the number of applications in 2020 increased by a factor of 60 from three years before. It is estimated that approximately 80 percent of all homeowners interested in constructing an ADU are interested in potentially using the space for multigenerational housing purposes. This can serve as space for minor or adult children or grandchildren, for aging parents, or even for downsizing purposes if you decide to rent the space in your primary residence, but want to remain in your neighborhood. Ever-increasing Southern California rent prices have made multigenerational housing options extremely attractive for homeowners with newly independent children. ADUs offer safe, private accommodations that your college-age children can afford while in school. Once they’ve become more financially capable, the ADU can be rented to tenants at a price that can more than pay for the cost of construction. Garage Conversion to Apartment Space for Eldercare If you have an older relative who needs continual care, constructing an ADU might be more affordable for both the short and long-terms than assisted living facilities. Your loved one can live in comfort and in proximity to loved ones, maintaining as much independence as possible while being close enough to you and family support networks to ensure their safety. Garage conversion to apartment space is an excellent strategy for homeowners nearing retirement. EcoSmart Builders is committed to creating sustainable, durable ADU housing for Los Angeles County homeowners seeking to expand their living spaces. For more information about our services, please visit our information page.

Garage conversion ADUs are excellent resources for homeowners for a variety of reasons. If you’re a homeowner, here are a few reasons why you should think about converting your garage space. EcoSmart Builders is dedicated to providing next-generation construction solutions to owners of single and multifamily residential properties. One of the most accessible strategies for home expansion is the garage conversion. It offers extra living space and storage space, as well as the opportunity to earn supplementary rental revenue. An ADU (accessory dwelling unit) garage conversion might also provide a valuable extension to your own home — additional kitchen space, a laundry room, another bathroom, or another bedroom can add significant value to your home. The majority of homeowners and their families use their garage space as a storage unit, for –naturally — their cars and automotive accessories, but it is also commonly used as a junk room or a shed for household items that are too big to dispose of easily. It is often the most inefficiently used space on a residential property, which is why it is a prime location for an ADU. Finally, a garage conversion can be performed quickly compared to other types of ADU construction, because it is already a fully supported structure. There are multiple benefits to garage conversion. Here are a few that you should consider. Garage Conversion Maximizes Living Space A two-car garage might measure 400 square feet. For homeowners who need more living space than what their primary residences provide, a garage conversion offers a relatively affordable solution for significantly expanding the living area without spending the money or time constructing an entire addition. If you can spare the parking and storage space, it might be the ideal strategy. Garage Conversion is Less Expensive than a Redesign If you don’t have a lot of money to invest in a home expansion, a garage conversion is the most cost-effective solution, both in terms of monetary costs and the time the full build takes to complete. From planning to completion, a garage conversion ADU can be fully completed in only a.6 months Garage Conversion Adds Property Value Garage conversion delivers the best possible ROI for homeowners looking to raise their property value. Not only does the additional living space raise the value of the parcel, but it can also help accelerate the selling process, because the property will become much more desirable. Garage Conversion Offers Professional Resources The COVID-19 crisis caused millions of people to rethink their living spaces and how they can serve their professional obligations and ambitions. Converting a garage into a home office space provides homeowners with a place to perform work tasks or to start a business venture. If you don’t use your garage or can easily adjust your car storage and free up the space, a garage conversion ADU offers a multitude of advantages. The professionals at EcoSmart Builders can work with you to design and develop a beautiful, fully functional, independent living space in a matter of months. To learn more about garage conversions in Los Angeles, please visit our information page.