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Building a Backyard
Granny Unit or ADU
Shed Windows and More has granny unit or ADU windows in an amazing selection of sizes and types for your backyard granny unit.
Does it make sense to build a granny unit, accessory dwelling unit, or in-law unit in your backyard or on your property? It might make a lot of sense if your parents are getting older, they have health problems, or one of your children has gone through a major life change and needs an interim place to live. Having a living quarter detached from your house for your parents to keep their independence but being able to help them at the same time is a good fit for some families.
Why Build a Granny Unit?
Overall the most common reason people build a granny unit or ADU in their backyard is to accommodate elderly family members at a reasonable cost or to earn extra income from long-term or short-term vacation rentals.
The most common reason for building a granny unit or ADU is so you can have elderly family members that want to live independently but nearby or earn extra income through Airbnb. Of course, there are pros and cons, but having your parents in your backyard might impact your life less than commuting to their home or living part-time in their home to help them out at this time in their lives.
It’s a very individual decision and you need to take into consideration a number of factors. If your parents don’t need ongoing nursing help a backyard granny unit close to grandkids and you probably makes more sense than a nursing home for their life outlook and health.
Most Common Reasons to Build a Granny Unit or ADU
Housing for Older Parents & Grandparents with Independence:
For your family, an ADU could be an affordable alternative to a nursing home or assisted-living space for loved ones. The cost of a nursing home room can approach over $7000 a month, even an assisted-living facility can cost more than $3,500 a month with a more independent approach to elder care. If you were to rent your ADU to your family member in most areas the cost would range from $700 to over $1500 a month, but definitely so much less than nursing home alternatives.
Long-Term Rental Income:
If you are looking for a good passive income source an ADU can provide your family with a good monthly income for a long-term rental. Passive income in our economy today is an important way to buffer your family from the rising cost of daily living expenses. Depending on your area, square footage, amenities, location, and other factors your ADU could be a source of healthy income from a yearly lease, providing extra security for your family.
Low-Cost Housing for Transitioning Adult Children:
In high-cost areas, ADUs can serve as a safety net for young people who can’t afford housing close to work or school. ADUs also provide a safety net for adult children that have health issues, developmental issues, or are going through a major life transition such as divorce, or death of a child or loved one, etc. A granny unit gives them autonomy but also allows you to provide assistance when needed.
Short-Term Rental Income:
Short-term rentals can provide additional income for your family when not being used by family members. Whether you live in a city, suburb, or out in the country, you can market your ADU as a short-term rental using Airbnb, VRBO, Homeaway, or your local community board. Short-term rentals laws vary by area, so make sure you are allowed in your area to have a short-term vacation rental before advertising. If you have a green light, it can be a great way to meet new people and make a passive income at the same time.
Smaller Home for Single or Empty Nester Homeowners:
A few of our neighbors have rented out their main home as a vacation rental at high nightly fees and have moved into their granny unit as their full-time residence. If you travel quite a bit or still work away from home and you are down to just one or the two of you, downsizing to a granny unit and reaping the rewards of renting out your main home as a vacation rental may have great appeal, plus it’s a great passive income for retirement.
Guest Cottage:
A granny unit can also be swapped out from time to time as a guest cottage when not in use for other purposes. Instead of having a guest bedroom, a guest cottage gives guests and your family time to mingle but also autonomy and seclusion when you want it. Especially for guests who are doing extended stays, this helps give your family privacy and your guests a space of their own also.
Quality Granny Unit or ADU Windows Create Great Style
Our dedication to providing the best quality granny unit windows possible is what has made us the go-to source for DIY builders and construction companies for shed windows worldwide.
Granny Unit Building Process
Building a granny unit is simple, but you need to follow certain steps to make it as easy as can be;
- Before you build see whether your property would be approved for an ADU or granny unit. Check ordinances, CCRs, and building requirements for your area.
- Figure out your granny unit’s purpose, cost savings, or income-generating potential.
- Find a designer or a fid a design from a design book that can easily be adapted into plans that would be accepted by your county or city planning department.
- Interview contractors with ADU or granny unit building experience or decide whether this will be a DIY project.
- Get your financing in place; whether a credit line, home rehabilitation mortgage, refinancing loan with cash out, etc.
- Get the appropriate building permits.
- Remain compliant throughout the building process with inspection requests–communication is key.
- Get the final inspection from the building inspector.
- Decorate your ADU and then market or use it as you intended.
You can count on Shed Windows and More for everything from windows to doors, hardware to flower boxes to have your finished granny unit looking beautiful while adding value to your property.