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%.
Blog
Latest articles
Guides on costs, permits, financing, and floor plans — plus stories from real ADU builds.
Stay, sell, renovate, or build? Most homeowners are asking the wrong question.
We built a decision tool, then stress-tested it on four real Bay Area situations. Here's what it found.
How big is 1000 square feet? Prepare to Be Surprised.
See exactly how big 1000 square feet (1000 sq ft) really is, room by room, with dimensions, comparisons, and ADU floor plan ideas to match.
Convert Smarter, Spend Less: Turning Your Basement or Attic Into Sustainable Living Space
Convert your basement or attic into legally habitable space while locking in an energy retrofit. Stack rebates, cut bills, add value.
Two-Bedroom House Plans: Smart Designs for Comfortable, Affordable Living
Two-bedroom house plans balance comfort, efficiency, and affordability — perfect for starter homes, downsizing, or ADU rental units.
3 Bedroom Tiny House Plans: Smart Designs and Floor Layouts for Small Space Living
Explore 3-bedroom tiny house plans under 1,200 sq ft: loft bedrooms, clever storage, and flexible layouts for comfortable family living.
Granny Pods as a solution for independent retirees
What granny pods are, what they cost, and how these backyard units give aging parents independence with safety and accessibility close to home.
Prefabricated Home Kit – Affordable & Easy Modern Housing Solution
How prefabricated home kits work: types, the real costs beyond the $20k clickbait, and how to choose a kit that fits your budget and codes.
How big is 400 square feet house? Plans and Designs.
See how big 400 square feet really is, with smart ADU floor plans, design ideas, and tips to make a compact 400 sq ft home feel spacious.
5 ideas for a cottage court — building a rental or for-sale unit
Creative, cost-effective ideas for building cottage courts as affordable rentals or for-sale units — shared spaces, eco materials, prefab, and styles.
Modern 20x20 Mother-in-Law Suite: ideas, costs, floor plans
Design a 400 sq ft 20x20 mother-in-law suite: layout, accessibility, budgeting, and a permit-ready ADU package. See ideas, costs, and floor plans.