HomeWiP Blog

ADU tips & guides

Practical advice on planning, budgeting, and building a backyard home — from first idea to final permit.

ADU Planner for your accessory dwelling unit with 700 designs

Use our free ADU planner to explore pre-designed plans, get all-in estimates, and follow a clear permit-to-build path. Boost your home value 20–30%.

10/30/2025

Blog

Guides on costs, permits, financing, and floor plans — plus stories from real ADU builds.

A quick, smart checklist for reviewing your construction contract: scope, payment terms, change orders, and the clauses that protect you.

03/10/2026

A guide to carriage houses: their history, design, zoning rules, and costs. Learn how converting one can boost property value and add flexible space.

02/18/2025

A practical guide to ADU plans: the three types, sizes from 150 to 1200 sqft, the 750 sqft fee exemption, and permitting.

11/17/2024

Compare 10 ways to finance an ADU, from HELOCs and construction loans to renovation loans, credit, and newer equity-share deals.

02/11/2024

Plan a comfortable ADU kitchen: full vs efficiency layouts, 7 compact appliance picks, lighting, storage, island and laundry tips.

08/18/2023

ADU bathroom ideas that make the most of a small footprint — layout tips, fixtures, and floor plan best practices for your accessory dwelling unit.

07/15/2023

What it takes to convert a garage into living space: permits, real costs, and 10 lessons borrowed from super flippers.

04/08/2023

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.

04/13/2022

Learn the 10 mistakes homeowners make when hiring a general contractor — from asking for free estimates to hiding your budget.

07/04/2021