Alternate solution to ADU Situation

[Alecia Loveless]

I've previously posted about converting my garage into a studio ADU. The new cost to do this was estimated to be around $90,000.

Yesterday I received a call from my contractor about a new solution. He has found someone to rent it with just a few minor modifications as a workshop.

We will need to run some new electrical, add a new outside door and add handrails to the stairs. Cost estimate around $7,000.

Instead of being able to rent for $900 I will only be able to get $500 plus the increase in the usage of electricity which I will have to bill separately as adding a separate meter would be more expensive than I’m looking to spend at this point.

I believe this is a much better and faster return on my investment and is a smarter move all the way around because I won’t have to get town approval to rent garage space like I would to turn my duplex into a triplex.