Our company engineers, architects, planners and interior designers specialize in building ‘stand alone’ or detached ADUs, attached ADUs, as well as garage converted accessory dwelling units. In the process, only premium-grade construction materials are used. Also, by following building codes, construction rules & regulations of California state, and by obtaining all the local permits & approvals from issuing authorities. This is how a custom ADU takes shape from scratch.
Simply, by adding a new living area to your existing house in an attached or detached format. It can either be by converting an old garage or creating a new dwelling unit from scratch in your backyard. You can also build above your existing garage. With a completely new ADU construction or a garage conversion, you can now think of adding a master bedroom, a living room, a guest room, a home-office, a Granny Flat or a full-fledged family suite with all the compartments. If yours is a single-family residence, you can build two ADUs on your property, provided one is a Junior ADU (JADU). The minimum space that you can get is 500 sq. ft. and a maximum of 1200 sq.ft. if it is an attached ADU construction. For more information about a detached ADU size, you can refer to the local building codes & regulations for your city or county. In this way, our professionals at Goodman Home Remodeling help provide additional living space to a growing family.
Why not? A majority of ADUs that are being built in San Jose, are by converting old & unused lying detached garages in the backyard. One of the most important advantages of having a detached ADU constructed at your property, is to have your privacy intact, in case your in-laws, parents, grannies and children are coming to stay with you. As a licensed San Jose ADU contractor, we specialize in designing & building detached garage converted ADUs, by following all the California state construction rules, regulations and guidelines. It is after obtaining all the local government permits, we start working on your detached ADU construction project, by using only quality construction materials that not only lasts long, but blends beautifully with the existing vibe of your house exterior. Having a backyard cottage in a detached manner can also help you earn additional income, by renting out the newly converted garage. You can either convert it into an office space with all the furniture, or turn it into a full-fledged family suite with all the standard rooms.
| ADU above garage | Built above the existing garage |
| Attached ADU | Attached on one side of the building |
| Detached ADU | Fully detached from the main unit |
| Junior ADU | In the size of 450-500 sq. ft. |
Absolutely! Without a permit from the local government or city authority, especially from the Building & Safety Department, you cannot build an ADU. Any kind of structural modifications, layout changes, new plumbing lines, electrical wiring, new walls, partitions, space addition, expansion, area conversion or room extension would require a permit from the local municipality. After you’ve submitted the full design-plan for approval, a construction permit is issued by the government authorities.
Permits are a mandatory requirement for any type of new construction at a house or property. In case of an ADU garage conversion, it is an essential prerequisite for the construction to start. In the design-plan, you need to mention the size, square footage and the type of ADU that you plan to build. After assessing all the factors and conditions, the local building department issues a permit and approval. For that, you need to pay a negligible ‘permit fee’ to the issuing authority. This is a part of the legal formality. Once the permits are issued, it is an official confirmation.
Not just in San Jose, but across California, all homeowners must follow a setback of 4’ (feet) from the rear and side while designing an ADU. A detached ADU must be 10’ (feet) away from the main residence and 5’ away from any property lines.
It usually takes anywhere between 60-120 days to get the design-plan approved and the local permits issued from the municipality and the building & safety department. It depends how flawlessly the ADU master-plan has been designed.
Under the California state law, the maximum size limit for an attached ADU is 1200 sq. ft. or limited to half the size of the existing residence, whichever is smaller. Detached ADUs can be bigger in size.
