Welcome to USModular Home Builders, Southern Encinitas’s premier full-service design and build general contractor for City of Encinitas ADUs (accessory dwelling units). We have built countless units in Encinitas using prefabricated construction and are experienced and knowledgeable in dealing with all aspects of the building process.
With 75 combined years in general contracting and real estate development, we learned a few things along the way.
How do you plan on using your ADU?
We handle all aspects of your project from the initial site visit to the creation of budget/contract through permits and construction, utility connections, and finally handing you a set of keys for your new ADU…all with minimal disruption to residents of the primary dwelling unit as the ADU is set into your backyard in ONE DAY!!!!!
What are ADUs in Encinitas, CA?
’Prefab’ is shorthand for ‘Previously Fabricated,’ meaning it was built in a factory from pre-approved Encinitas ADU plans and is reassembled or finished onsite. Our units are built to completion in our partner factories, transported to your site, and can be installed on a foundation within 24 hours. Prefab construction has the advantage of being significantly faster and more efficient than other construction types. Building in a factory allows us to use efficient processes and avoid weather delays to complete your project on time and on schedule!
Accessory dwelling units (aka granny flat, companion unit) are small secondary homes built on the same parcel of land as your single-family house. An ADU can be up to 1,200 sq ft and can be built as:
- Detached stand-alone building
- Attached to the primary dwelling
- Converted space within the primary dwelling (Junior ADU)
Why are ADUs becoming more popular in Encinitas?
Thousands of new ADUs are being built in communities across the U.S. because they are a manageable and minimally-disruptive option for adding needed housing to existing neighborhoods. Moreover, building using pre-approved City of Encinitas ADUs plans typically costs less than other housing forms and efficiently uses existing land.
The other factor driving ADU adoption is that they serve so many varying needs that mirror socioeconomic trends in the U.S. ADUs allow for people to age in place or form multigenerational households to ease caregiving responsibilities and cost.
Homeowners, given the high cost of buying a house, are frequently turning to ADUs to provide additional income to make ends meet by renting the ADU, which can generate $2,500-$4,500 / month in rental income in Encinitas
Lastly, the appeal of downsizing and minimalist living seems to be growing and ADUs allow people to simplify their lives and still live in a neighborhood setting.
Additional Space for family members – grandparents, kids, and relatives
We recently built an ADU for family in Orange County. It was built for the homeowner’s Mom, who was living in a 1 bedroom apartment – 10 miles from family and they were spending $1,500 a month on rent. Grandma moved into The Bungalow ADU and is now closer to her daughter and grandkids. She feels safer, and has more social connections with family. The family has a net rent savings of over $1000 a month. A true ADU success story.
Rental Income – turn a single-family rental property into a 2-income property.
An Investor with a single-family income property in San Diego put it best when he asked us – “where can I buy a 2 bedroom rental property for under $180,000 in San Diego? Nowhere! But I can build a 2 bedroom ADU for this price – it’s a no brainer”
The presence of an ADU can often enhance the attractiveness of a house on the market, and increased investments in new ADUs are being reflected in the appraised value of those properties.
How much does it Cost to build an ADU?
There are many local and site-specific factors to determine the complete cost to build an ADU in Encinitas, CA, including access to the backyard, topography, utility location, sewer or septic, local fees, sewer capacity fee, school fees, permits etc. We have put together an estimate using the City of Encinita’s pre-approved ADU plans that assume we have access to the backyard on a level lot and sewer access is available within 100 feet of the house. Starting cost for our 398 sq ft 1 bedroom ADU (Federal Building Code) is $178,000, which includes the ADU, transportation to the site, roll set/ installation on a permanent foundation, and connection to utilities. The local fees are city or county-specific and typically range from 5-15% of the quoted construction cost.
See available floor plans and ALL in pricing at www.myadu4less.com!
New 2020 Encinitas ADU Laws:
ADUs are less expensive, faster and easier to build!!!
ADUs are less expensive, faster and easier to build!!! Encinitas is in a housing crisis, both in physical houses and affordability. ADUs help the crisis by getting more homes and lowering building costs as land and utility infrastructure are already in place (2 of the biggest costs to build a new home). New State of Encinitas ADU rules include:
- ADUs can be up to 1,200 sq. ft. regardless of the size of primary dwelling unit (as long as you meet setbacks and FAR)
- Setbacks reduced to 4’ side and rear yard
- Parking requirement for ADU waived
- No owner occupancy of primary dwelling unit (great for investors)
- 60 day review and approval process by local building department, or considered approved
- Waiver of local development fees for ADUs less than 750 sq. ft.
- Multifamily homes eligible for ADU
- Fire Sprinklers ONLY required if Primary Dwelling Unit has them in place
Are ADUs allowed in my neighborhood?
In 2019, the City of Encinitas passed a series of bills to make it easier for homeowners to build ADUs. Major changes to zoning regulations, permit requirements and developmental standards went into effect on January 1st, 2020, superseding previously restrictive local regulations. While zoning, regulations and fees vary by municipality, recent state laws say that ADUs can be built on property zoned for single-family and multi-family use.
Can I build an ADU in Encinitas, CA? How many can I build?
If you live on a residential lot, yes! You can build one detached ADU and one junior ADU (a unit no more than 500 sq ft located within the home). A maximum of two detached ADUs are allowed on the property if you live on a multi-family lot.
Why build an ADU with prefabricated construction?
This is a question we get asked daily. For us, it’s a pretty easy answer because we can build better, faster, greener and for less in a factory than a site-built ADU. The same reason we drive cars built in a factory is that they have a more precise process building on a production line, indoors, by a team of workers that work in sync …then assemble in your backyard. Another important reason to consider prefabricated site construction is site construction time, as site-built projects will take months of daily hammering, sawing, dumpsters, and port-o-potties with 10+ different workers walking into the backyard to this time period. With prefabricated construction, the ADU is built in a factory, and we set the unit in the backyard in ONE DAY. Once we set the ADU, we will have a very small crew to finish work and utility connections.
How long will it take to build an ADU?
A lot depends on you. How long you take to choose a style and if you go with predesigned floor plans or your own custom design will determine the length of the project. Once the ADU plan is chosen and a contract is signed, it typically takes from 2-3 months to get a building permit and build a project. Much of this time is spent on the building plans’ state and local approval. Once we have a permit in hand, the USModular team will act quickly and typically can complete a project within 1-3 months.
See our City of Encinitas ADU plans: USM Floor Plans
What is the process for building an ADU in Encinitas with USModular?
Phase 1: Encinitas ADU Planning
- Site visit to determine setbacks, accessibility, utility location /availability, FAR
- ADU submittal requirements
- New construction of ADU with Modular (CBC/Local) or Manufactured (HUD/Federal))
- Develop a conceptual budget for ADU and site construction
Phase 2: Construction Contract
- Finalize construction budget and contract
Phase 3: Plan Design and Submittal
- Site plan design
- ADU approval through State approved 3rdparty and local jurisdiction
- Build (Fabrication) the ADU at Factory while prepping onsite construction necessary to meet local ADU requirements, including utilities and foundation set up.
- Coordinate with the local building department for inspections
Phase 4: Final Inspection
- Walk through ADU with the client and make adjustments as needed
- Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy
How do we start?
We thought you would never ask!!!!
We have over 50 pre-designed and State Approved floor plans – that you can customize with colors and finishes to fit your needs. Review the series of the City of Encinitas pre-approved ADU plans that we offer today!
Email info@usmodularinc.com or call us 951-679-9907 x 1 to discuss your project. If you want to proceed, we can schedule a site visit to review the project further
