Have you been considering adding an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to your property? You may have been tempted by tales that an ADU is the quickest way to add value to your property. Or perhaps you’ve decided to add additional income by renting the new ADU. Or maybe you’re simply looking to provide a safe home for aging family members.
No matter what your motivation, building an ADU is a fantastic investment in the potential of your property.
But before you jump into building an ADU in San Francisco, Oakland, or anywhere in the Bay Area, it’s important to understand what is and what isn’t possible on your property. That’s where a feasibility study comes into play. It’s a crucial first step before embarking on any ADU project.
Adapt Dwellings is a leader in the Bay Area ADU industry, and today we’ll share our industry expertise to examine what exactly a feasibility study is, and why it is beneficial to your ADU project.
What is a Feasibility Study?
So you’ve decided to build an ADU on your property. But just what type of ADU can you actually build?
A feasibility study aims to answer that exact question with a comprehensive analysis of a property’s potential for an ADU. It covers a wide variety of factors, including:
- A site evaluation
- Obtaining and evaluating building records
- Potential obstacles on your property
- The size and type of ADU you can build
- Zoning and setback requirements
- Utility requirements and availability
- Preliminary design ideas
Why is a Feasibility Study Important?
A feasibility study will take the guesswork out of your ADU project and maximize its potential.
A feasibility study can help you:
Make Informed Decisions
A professionally conducted feasibility study gives you the power to understand all the options on the table, and select the best ADU type for your property.
Avoid Delays and Issues Down the Road
Zoning and building code regulations are complex. A feasibility study will identify potential obstacles and challenges your project will face early on, streamlining the permitting process and avoiding delays later on down the line.
Maximize Your ADU’s Potential
The study will show you the most efficient use of your space, so you can maximize your potential rental income or personal use value.
What is Included in a Professional Feasibility Study?
At Adapt Dwellings, we believe in doing things right, the first time. Our feasibility studies are conducted by experienced building inspectors with extensive knowledge of Bay Area building codes, who can accurately project the full scope of the project.
Our feasibility studies include:
Site Analysis
An overview of the findings of the site analysis survey, including the ideal size and type of ADU that would be appropriate for your property (such as a garage conversion, granny flat, junior ADU, detached ADU, or multifamily ADU). The site analysis will also reveal the ideal placement of your ADU, as well as an overview of the utility requirements.
Zoning and Regulation Review
Our building inspectors have a complete understanding of the complex zoning regulations throughout the Bay Area. We will help you understand the zoning requirements like ceiling heights, setbacks, and potential impact fees. We’ll also research the permits that will be required to complete the project, so you can avoid delays later in the project.
Architectural Proposal
Our experienced and state-licensed architects will prepare a proposal to take your project to the next phase of applications with approved plans for your local jurisdiction. Our feasibility studies also include design renderings so you can get a good idea what your completed unit might look like.
How Much Does a Feasibility Study Cost?
At Adapt Dwellings, our feasibility studies range from $795 to $2,995, depending on the type of project and the complexity of the specific services required:
- Site inspection and a verbal only – $795
- Prefab or ground up new construction ADU Cost – $1,995
- Conversion Unit (Single Family Home) – $2,495
- Multi-family Property Study – $2,995
By having a professional feasibility study conducted, you can be sure that your ADU takes full advantage of your property’s potential. You’ll also avoid potential challenges and delays, saving you time and money in the long run.
In addition, a key benefit of working with Adapt Dwellings is that your investment in a feasibility study does not go to waste. The cost of your feasibility study will be credited towards your architectural design fees, should you decide to move forward with us.
While it may seem like an additional expense, we believe our studies offer an investment that pays off in the long run. You can be confident knowing that you are making the best decision possible for your project.
It’s important to note that you are not obligated to continue with Adapt Dwellings, regardless of your decision to move forward with the project or not. We offer our studies as a stand alone service to provide you with valuable insights that will empower your decision making process.
Conclusion
A feasibility study is your customized roadmap to a successful ADU project. By understanding your property’s potential, navigating local regulations, and planning for potential challenges, you can make all the right decisions to maximize your investment and ensure your project is a success.
At Adapt Dwellings, ADUs are our business. We’ve helped many property owners build ADUs in San Francisco, Oakland, and throughout the Bay Area. Our clients choose to work with us because we are knowledgeable, experienced, and realistic in our assessments.
If you’re planning on building an ADU, let us help you make the most of your project with a professional feasibility study.
Ready to get your ADU project started on the right foot? Contact Adapt Dwellings to set up your professional feasibility study from the Bay Area’s ADU experts.
