2023

The Best Interior & Exterior Finishes for Your ADU

You have just decided to continue moving forward with your ADU after choosing the right floor plan and designer for your project. Great work! Beyond the concrete, timber, and drywall that go into the structure of your accessory dwelling unit, finishes and finish materials really make no two ADUs alike. Your exterior and interior finishes for the ADU are what residents, tenants, and visitors see...

ADU Building Timeline

With Accessory Dwelling Units exploding in interest and volume across California, more and more homeowners want to know what the construction process looks like for their own potential ADU project. In this post, Minix Home Operations Manager Zachary Ackerman covers all the key milestones and details for constructing an ADU from start to finish. Are you looking for a custom ADU provider that will...

How Much Value Does An ADU Add to Your Property?

Since California’s new set of Accessory Dwelling Unit laws came into effect in January 2020, we have witnessed just how much value a well-planned ADU can add to properties across California. The Minix Home team has compiled this guide to help you understand the potential value an ADU can add to your home. Does an ADU Add Value to Your Home? Yes, much like other home-improvement projects, the...

ADU Consultants: What Do You Need?

Many homeowners think that building an ADU can be accomplished with just an architect and a general contractor. But designing, planning, permitting, and building a new ADU takes a village—or, rather, a network of consultants and trusted partners. Identifying and partnering with the consultants that your ADU project will require can be a daunting task and, if not done properly, can significantly delay...

The 5 Elements of Perfect ADU Design

We previously covered how to choose the right ADU layout for your project. However, the design process doesn’t stop after you’ve settled on a preliminary layout for your backyard Cottage, in-law unit, granny flat, or rental unit. Despite being generally smaller than standard single family homes or multi-family apartment units, ADU architecture can be deceptively difficult. Tight spaces and...

Starting Your ADU? 5 Things To Do NOW for a Smooth Build

Congratulations! You have decided to take the next step on your Accessory Dwelling Unit journey by pursuing an ADU project. Balancing your ADU use case(s), budget, timeline, and design is no small feat, and these are huge steps towards having your ADU ready for move-in day. Now what? In this article, Kyu and Michelle from the Cottage Operations and Design team walk through how you can be a great...

Splurge or Save? Minix Home’s Head of Design Talks ADU Exteriors & Interiors

In previous posts, we covered the soft costs of planning for your ADU and the hard costs of construction for your custom unit. But once you have determined your budget for your ADU, how do you decide where to splurge on design upgrades—or alternatively, where to save money with budget-friendly decisions? In the first part of my conversation with Minix Home Head of ADU Design and Delivery...

Splurge or Save? Minix Home Head of Design Talks ADU Design

In previous posts, we covered the soft costs of planning for your accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and the hard costs of construction for your custom unit. But once a property owner has determined your budget for your ADU, how do you decide where to splurge on design upgrades—or alternatively, where to save money with budget-friendly, affordable housing options? Do you want a deck, a wrap porch with...

ADU Pre-approval Plans: Is It Right for You?

Without a doubt, the construction of ADUs has accelerated rapidly over the past few years. State laws understand that Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) are integral to community development, making permission easier than ever in many counties. Cities have started to respond to the growing interest in ADUs, seeing the potential for Accessory Dwelling Units to help...

How to Choose The Best ADU Designer and Architect

As you embark on your ADU journey, one of the first steps you will encounter is choosing the right designer for your Accessory Dwelling Unit. Regardless of whether you are looking for a no-frills rental income ADU or a luxurious retirement palace for your ADU, having a dependable and excellent designer is one of the most important decisions you will make for your ADU project. But with dozens, if not...

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