Exciting News: We've Renewed Our B Corp Status!
ADU Condos Are Here! New Pics of an Exquisite New ADU Reno
AB 1033 condos are coming to California. This is what they'll look like.
This unique, 500-sf prefab ADU is for sale and ready for installation on your property
One of our most famous ADUs is for sale! Let us bring it to you.
$150 per month covers 100% of their Electric Bill.
We got the costs and savings for two different solar systems on the same home. Here's what we learned.
California Forever is a great start. California for Everyone means even more.
9 Ways to Solve Your Personal Housing Crisis
Doubling down on an architectural gem in the Berkeley Hills: This office addition is also a beautiful second home.
Susan's Forward-Thinking Home Expansion in El Cerrito
Pricing Your Project in a World Gone Mad
If you ask a contractor for an estimate, you’ll most likely get a quote that’s just plain wrong. We’re talking a +/- 30% difference (or worse). 30% too high, and you won’t get the best value for your money. 30% too low, and you may be left with a hole in the ground while you scramble for financing.
The Engineering Reports You’ll Need
Building a backyard cottage or secondary dwelling unit in Menlo Park, CA
The secondary home includes a bedroom, a kitchen, a bathroom, a living area, and an office. It will save the family more than $3,000 per month in rent and allow them to live together, helping each other and being near one another every day. Here are the plans.
Plans for an accessory building with laundry and half bath in Oakland
A homeowner in Oakland wanted to add space to her home that could be used as storage, a guest room, a laundry room, or a home office. New Avenue created this accessory building to enhance her property, making her home into a place that better suits her busy life.
For many homeowners, adding an accessory structure like this makes it possible to stay in the neighborhood they love. It’s an efficient way to add square footage to your home without the expense and difficulty of buying a new home in the area.
New Net Zero Energy ADU in Berkeley
This ADU is loaded with extraordinary features including solar energy, an incredible storage loft, an accessible bathroom, and luxurious finishes.
Converting a garage into a guest suite or rental unit in Menlo Park
Erin’s new attached ADU can be used as a guest suite, additional space for the homeowner, a home for family, or a rental unit. This kind of ADU rents for $2,500 or more per month, which will be enough to pay for the project and additional expenses such as helping with the mortgage on the main home, travel, education, leisure activities, or retirement.
Can I add two accessory dwellings to my home in California?
When California passed AB 68, among other groundbreaking legislation related to ADUs, we were thrilled. The new laws gave California homeowners more rights related to adding ADUs to their property, including the right to add two accessory dwellings. So for most homeowners, the answer is yes, you can add two ADUs. Here’s a look at some plans for adding two ADUs developed for a client in Berkeley.
Photos and plans for an accessory dwelling in Albany, CA
The homeowners’ New Avenue design professional created a home with one bedroom, a bathroom, a washer/dryer, a kitchen, and a living area with bamboo flooring. The family will be able to bring in around $3,000 per month in rental income. The ADU will pay for itself in no time, and they can also use the income to pay for the mortgage on the main home, education, travel, or anything else they may need.
Building an accessory dwelling for a family compound in Orinda
New Avenue assessed the property to help the homeowners determine the best course of action. We found that the old ADU was built in 1932, at the same time as the main home. Structural damage, a weak foundation, and asbestos made the original cottage unsuitable as a home.
The family opted to build a new ADU. New Avenue’s experienced design professional created an accessory dwelling that fit beautifully on the property.
Building a garage apartment in Berkeley
Many people replace their detached garages with ADUs, scrapping the garage entirely. Others say, “Why not both?” and add an ADU over their garage. For this project in Berkeley, the homeowners contacted New Avenue to create an entirely new two-car garage with an apartment over it. Here's the design.
Replacing a patio with an accessory dwelling in San Jose
A nice one-bedroom home with a study like this will pay for itself in rental income. In San Jose, this rental home would bring in $3500 or more in rent. That’s enough to make mortgage payments on both the ADU and the main home.
Project of the Week: a huge ADU in El Cerrito
This successful entrepreneur knows a good opportunity when she sees one. That's why she decided to add an ADU and live in it herself. (She plans to rent out her main house.) While she didn’t feel like she needed the additional income, she knew it would be a great investment.
Start your journey
Reach out to New Avenue today to begin the transformational process of adding an ADU, renovating your home, and designing and building a custom house for your family.