Abodu’s Accessory Dwelling Units Get Fast-Tracked Permits
Abodu works with building and planning departments to develop pre-approval programs, wherein permit portions are identified that are universal to all owners building Abodus and those unique to each homeowner.
SAN JOSE—As the housing crunch continues in the Bay Area and rents remain above the levels many residents can afford, Accessory Dwelling Units/ADUs are increasingly becoming alternatives for reasonably priced housing options. One Bay Area-based company, Abodu, is leading the way in bringing ADUs to market.
“We won’t solve our housing crisis $650,000 at a time. We have to bend the cost curve in order to build more housing,” said San Jose mayor Sam Liccardo. “We’re grateful for Abodu’s partnership in offering residents pre-approved ‘backyard homes’, which will help add critically needed affordable housing to our city’s housing stock. I encourage others to follow their lead.”
Abodu is the first pre-approved vendor to create ADUs in San Jose back yards. Moreover, it is San Jose’s first pre-approved builder for the city’s new accessory dwelling units/single-family master plan program.
“We applaud Abodu for working with us on our new master plan program, and for creating an ADU product that enables customers to swiftly install an ADU,” said Rosalynn Hughey, director of planning, building and code enforcement. “ADUs can help us address the housing crisis and San Jose is committed to making ADUs easy to build. We welcome and appreciate vendors like Abodu for helping achieve that goal.”
ADU vendors that are certified through this program can offer customers pre-approved plans using the city’s fastest, lowest-cost plan review service. With this pre-approval status, an Abodu unit can be installed in a back yard in as little as two weeks.
“Abodu works with the building and planning departments within cities to develop ‘pre-approval’ programs, wherein we identify the portions of the permit process that are universal to all homeowners building an Abodu and the portions that are unique to each homeowner,” Geary tells GlobeSt.com. “We work with cities to review and approve the universal portions, i.e., structural engineering, foundation connections, of permitting ahead of time so that the review of our permit submissions can simply be planning and fire compliance, completed in an hour or less over the counter.”
Abodu backyard homes are created with architects, and balance thoughtful design and right-sized space. Each 495-square-foot standalone unit is highly customizable, providing options for a range of uses.
“Abodu is proud to enter the Bay Area market and provide a new, cost-effective alternative for those seeking more space or looking to monetize their back yard via rental income,” said John Geary, co-founder at Abodu. “Whether a buyer is installing an Abodu back yard home for a family member or as an additional source of income, this is a great and easy way to increase the value and functionality of a home.”
Abodu starts with a fixed-price approach in the purchase process and provides multiple financing options. The firm works with the buyer to find the best financing from a flexible set of options, whether that involves putting zero down or paying entirely up front. With home construction off-site, buyers do not have to listen to a construction crew in the back yard for four months or more. An Abodu home can be installed in just 10% of the time it would take for a home to be built from start to finish.
Each Abodu home is crafted in a nearby factory and engineered with high environmental standards. Abodu units arrive fully constructed, with interior plumbing and electric completed in factory. The units are fully electric and can be ordered with supplemental solar power. Abodu handles all of the work required to connect the unit to local utilities including water, plumbing and electric.
Abodu back yard homes come fully appointed when delivered. This includes a dedicated bedroom (with built-in wardrobe), full bathroom (with large shower, built-in vanity and recessed medicine cabinet), fully appointed kitchen (including a full-sized fridge/freezer, stovetop, oven, vented hood, dishwasher and kitchen sink) and a dedicated living room (with window bench). Additionally, all Abodu back yard homes come standard with air conditioning, heating and water heating.
Abodu homes are options for families who need extra space, such as a private home for recent grads, in-laws or aging relatives, or space for an office or studio. The new home can also provide rental income.
Pricing for Abodu’s 495-square-foot model starts at $199,000 and customers have the option of upgrading certain features including the entry door, exterior siding and appliances. As with all newly built homes in California, Abodu offers a limited warranty on the structure for 10 years.