October 30, 2021
Attached ADU vs Detached ADU—What is best for you?
If you’ve been researching ways to add extra living space to your home, you may have come across the term Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). An ADU is usually a second, smaller home that is either separate from or connected to a single-family home. But which one makes the most sense for your needs? Let’s explore the pros and cons of both attached and detached ADUs.
An attached ADU is just what it sounds like—an additional living space that is connected directly to the main house. A common type of attached ADU is a garage conversion, in which the homeowner turns their existing garage into more living space. The benefit of this option is that since it’s connected to the main house, there are no extra utility hookups needed; everything from electricity to plumbing will already be in place. An added bonus is that you can use the same heating system for both units.
The problem with an attached ADU is that you may need to make major changes or additions to your main house in order for it to be livable. This could include anything from adding doors and windows to meeting local building codes for insulation and soundproofing. Plus, depending on where you live, there may be zoning restrictions or laws governing how much square footage can be used as an ADU in relation to the size of your primary residence.
In contrast, a detached ADU is a completely separate structure from the main house—think tiny house or backyard cottage. One major advantage here is that since it’s not physically connected to your home, there are more opportunities available when it comes to design options—you aren’t limited by what’s already in place on your property like with an attached unit. Plus, depending on where you live, a detached unit may also offer more flexibility when it comes to zoning regulations as well as fewer restrictions when it comes to renting out your space.
The downside here is that with a completely separate structure come all new utility hookups (electricity, water, or sewer lines), which can add up cost-wise if your current utilities are not easily accessible or require upgrades in order to be shared with another structure onsite. Also, if you want to rent out your space with a separate unit, you may need more permits, depending on the laws in your area about short-term rentals like Airbnb.
Summary: When deciding between an attached or detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), consider both practical factors such as cost and time commitment as well as lifestyle factors such as whether or not you plan on using your additional living space solely for yourself or if you want the flexibility of being able to rent out part or all of it periodically if needed. Ultimately, only you will know what works best for your individual situation! Adding an extra living space, whether it's attached or not, can give you more flexibility now and could give you more financial security in the future if you do it right.
