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Latest articles
Guides on costs, permits, financing, and floor plans — plus stories from real ADU builds.
The Benefits of Investing in Livable Sheds with Bathroom and Kitchen
What a livable shed with a kitchen and bathroom can add to your California property: permits, costs, foundations and rental income.
Tiny House ADU: 8 FAQs on Building a Small ADU
Everything you need to know about a tiny house ADU — often called a small ADU — from legal rules and costs to must-have features and how to build one.
Converted Garage: 10 Lessons From Super Flippers
What it takes to convert a garage into living space: permits, real costs, and 10 lessons borrowed from super flippers.
Costs of Getting a Building Permit for Your ADU
An ADU building permit runs $20,000 to $30,000. See what feasibility studies, surveys, drawings, and city fees add to your budget.
Building a Guesthouse in Your Backyard
What it costs to build a backyard guesthouse in California, from studios to two-bedroom ADUs, plus permits, sizing, and design ideas.
Electrical Panel Upgrade as Step 1 on Your ADU Journey
Signs you need a panel upgrade, permit rules, real Bay Area costs, and the SPAN smart panel option for your ADU project.
Minimalist Tiny Homes: 15 Basic Features
Explore 15 standard features of minimalist tiny homes, from full kitchens to smart storage, plus tips to make a small space feel bigger.
Prefab ADU: 4 Promising Construction Types
Compare prefab ADU construction types: panelized, modular, manufactured and container homes, with costs, HUD vs HCD rules and trade-offs.
ADU Garage Conversion: 5 WHYs and Smart How-to
Turn your garage into an ADU starting at $90,000. Here's what permits, minimum sizes, and the ADU-vs-JADU choice mean for your project.
Selecting a General Contractor: 10 mistakes to avoid
Learn the 10 mistakes homeowners make when hiring a general contractor — from asking for free estimates to hiding your budget.