A Beginner’s Guide to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) may be referred to by many names – mother-in-law apartment, guest suite, second unit or, more commonly, “granny flat.” It acts as a separate house inside your property, with its own entrance, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living space. But most people don’t know that ADUs come in several varieties, each with a subtly different purpose. 

Garage Conversion ADU

As its name suggests, a garage conversion ADU is when you convert your garage into a discrete house unit. This is normally the cheapest of the three types and the most popular, and works whether your garage is attached or detached to your main house.

Many homeowners tend to gravitate toward a garage conversion, especially when they need to house a family member. However, while the least costly, you still have to pay for upgrades to electrical and plumbing lines, and add insulation to the walls and the roof, which a garage normally doesn’t have.

Attached ADU

An attached ADU is a unit that’s physically connected to your main house, but contains its own separate entrance and/or access. Depending on your county, an attached ADU may have its own address.

A word of caution: attached ADUs are moderately expensive, but highly disruptive to the occupants of the main structure. It typically shares plumbing and electricity with the main unit, so you might have to increase your electrical amperage to accommodate the increased power load. A contractor may also have to look at your sewer line.

Detached ADU

Finally, a detached ADU is a unit that’s within your property, but acts as a separate structure entirely. As it’s a whole new house by itself, you can design it from scratch, which means you have no limit when it comes to building it (finances notwithstanding). When you’re using an ADU for additional income, it can command higher rent because tenants can enjoy all the benefits of a full-fledged house.

Whether garage conversion, attached or detached ADUs, Design Build Remodeling Group of Maryland can help. To begin exploring your ADU options, call us today at (443) 300-2268, or fill out our contact form. We serve residents of Eldersburg, MD, and nearby areas.