John Arendsen Accessory Dwelling Units
John Arendsen was the speaker for this week's Zoom call. As founder and owner of Crest Backyard Homes, he gave a presentation that explained the nature of the modules he builds as well as its advantages.
For Multi-generational families, an Accessory Dwelling Unit, ADU offers convenience and serves to keep the family close and still offer independence.
His company is very much a regional operation staying close to His San Diego area. This is predominately as the efficiency of his operation is maintained by contractors that he knows to perform their jobs well and be cost effective. If he were to work farther away from his market area, costs would rise due to the distance as well as not knowing the nuances of local permitting etc.
There are 2 types of ADU's, built on site and built off site.
An onsite ADU is stick built, like most large residences. There are several types of ADU:
a JADU, a junior accessory dwelling which can be built within existing space of a home, wherever there is sufficient space, which has exterior access as well as bathroom access.
There is also a PRADU, which is a pre-approved ADU. With this, the building jurisdiction goes out to a team of designers/architect to get a pre-approved plan, which offers less cost and easier to get assed.
There's also a garage conversion, which is also popular.
An onsite build is common, but it can also be an inconvenience to the homeowners as there will be people coming and going while the project is being built.
An offsite Prefab unit can be done a variety of ways. It can be factory manufactured panels delivered on a flatbed truck and field assembled. With is style, all wiring, plumbing paneling and painting are done onsite on a pre-prepared foundation.
It can also be a tiny home on wheels, which is factory built and driven to the site for settling on to a pre-fabricated slab.
A Tiny home is a travel trailer or an RV and is regulated by the DMV.
It can be towed by a private vehicle.
It can be permitted for use on a private residential lot.
A Park Model ADU is a model that is under 400sf of living space.
It is driven to the site by a professional service due to its size.
This model is regulated by the DMV.
HUD Manufactured Home
A HUD manufactured home is entirely factory built. It has advantages. as there are no waste materials and all lumber is kiln-dried.
All mechanicals are completed in the factory.
All components are picked in advance by the customer and are of the highest quality.
The home is completely inspected by a HUD authorized inspector before leaving the factory.
It is transported to the site by professionals, where is it placed on site, where the installation and set-up is completed, and utilities are connected.
A HUD home is delivered 100% habitable.
The final inspection is completed, and the Certificate of Occupancy is signed off.
A HUD manufactured home is comparable to a site-built home and all features are essentially identical. This also true of a multi-unit modular home where field connection is completed. After accessory items such a stairs or decks are completed afterwards. A HUD manufactured ADU can be as much as 25% cheaper than a site built ADU. Its biggest advantage is quicker turnaround time, as site development can be done simultaneously as the ADU production time, which is not the same with site built.
In some instances, a crane is required in order to complete the installation.
Energy Efficiency
Indoor construction uses materials with fewer chemicals.
90% of waste materials are recycled.
Using kiln dried materials reduces co2 emissions.
Heating and cooling systems are 20-30% more efficient.
The one thing that cannot be done with an ADU is a septic system as this requires local specialists.
It was an entertaining call with many questions offered and answered by John.
John Arendsen Accessory Dwelling Units
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