An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), also known as a garden suite or in-law suite, is a complete living area located on the same grounds as a main house. ADUs are efficient housing options that provide extra living space without needing to enlarge the property. They’re versatile and can be used for housing relatives independently, generating rental income, or serving as a specific area for activities like a home office, fitness room, or childcare center. For homeowners seeking flexible living options, ADUs are a practical and eco-friendly solution.

In most cases, you can build a second small house on your property if it fits certain size and location rules. But, before you start, you should talk to your local city or town’s planning and building offices. They’ll tell you all about the rules you need to follow, like zoning laws and building codes. Upon approval, I will give you the official building plans that match your area’s rules. As the owner, you’ll have to make sure you have a detailed plan that shows where this new house will be on your property and any other plans the local offices need to see.

The Flexobuild package provides the essential designs needed to build our system’s parts and set up the inside of the house. Each town or city has its own extra rules for building permits, so it’s best to talk to your local building and zoning department to know what you need to do.

As your Flexobuild representative, I’m here to help you through the whole process. While our package doesn’t include some technical documents like the Site Plan, HVAC Design, and Helical Pile Design, these are necessary for every project and depend on where you’re building. I’ll make sure we get these documents ready for you. I might also need other things like a Survey, Grading Plan, or Site Services Drawings, and sometimes special permits, depending on your location. I’ll work with you to gather all these and assist you in applying for the building permit.

Once we start the process, the kit will arrive in about 6 weeks. Then, working with our team, your home can be finished in another 6 weeks. So, the whole process usually takes around 12 weeks in total.

The home system is designed with an internal cavity for easy installation of electrical and plumbing. I will handle the installation of these services for you.

Just like any new house, your ADU will need connections to main services such as water, sewer, and electricity. If you’re planning to use appliances that run on natural gas, that’s an option as well. It’s a good idea to reach out to your local municipal development department to learn exactly what you’ll need for these services. If you need more information or have additional questions, reach out to me and I will help you out.