If you are looking into options for expanding your home’s square footage, you likely come across the debate of ADU vs room addition. Both of these methods are great ways to accommodate a growing family or satisfy any new needs of the household.
Determining if an ADU or room addition is right for you can be difficult. Neither project is easy to complete. They both require a lot of labor, resources, and time, which is why there are a few questions you must ask yourself.
The ADU vs room addition decision shouldn’t be difficult. Here is everything you need to know to make your decision:
Home Addition Methods
When your home isn’t meeting your family’s needs, it’s time to either move or expand your existing home. Buying a new house and moving is very expensive, while a home addition can save you a lot.
Home additions can be approached in a number of ways, such as an ADU or room addition. There are other home addition methods: room conversions, second-story additions, bump-out additions, etc.
However, ADUs and room additions are the common methods to go with as they offer the best solution to needing more space. So why choose one over the other? Well, it comes down to what your needs are as a homeowner and family.
ADU vs Room Addition
ADUs, also known as accessory dwelling units, are smaller secondary structures built on the same single-family lot as a primary living structure. They typically range from 500 to 12000 square feet. They may reside inside the existing structure or attached or detached from the structure.
You can learn a lot regarding ADUs in California, but the most important is why you would choose an ADU vs room addition. ADUs are essentially compact houses or apartments (different from tiny homes). They are permanent structures composed of a living area, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom.
If you are needing to expand your home for a new family member, such as a child, an ADU wouldn’t be the right fit. In that case, you’d likely just need a bedroom. The same goes for needing an additional bathroom or wanting a true master bedroom in your home. An ADU wouldn’t be the right fit for these problems.
Instead, a traditional room addition would be perfect. Room additions are built to add a single room to a home. This includes bathrooms, bedrooms, sunrooms, closets, or even larger kitchens. A room addition is ideal for needing to add a single room for a single problem you may have.
Building an ADU is best for when an individual may want some independence or feel independent. This could work for an elderly family member who moves in with you or a college student starting their career. An ADU provides everything that person may need without relying on the primary structure.
After that resident no longer needs the ADU, you can use it as a source of passive income. Rent it out to a permanent resident or use it for guests when they visit from out of town.
Building an ADU or Room Addition
To summarize, choose an ADU if you want to house someone who wants independence and a room addition when you need a single room to meet your needs. Whichever you may need, always hire a local contractor for the job.
If you reside in the Greater San Jose area, consider contacting DreamHome Remodeling & Builders. We are experts in planning, designing, and constructing ADUs and room additions. We can help you settle the ADU vs room addition debate for your specific needs. Get in touch with our team for a free estimate.