Adding a pre-fab studio

[Eli Altman]

Does anyone have experience adding pre-fab studios to backyards? I have a 2/1 property in North Oakland that's zoned for two dwellings. I have electricity and water already in the backyard and a sizeable cement pad. I've looked up the zoning laws and haven't found any deal breakers. I'm considering putting up a pre-fab studio and renting it our either as an airbnb or regular rental. I'm not far from Cal and the Bay Area has a housing shortage so I'm not too concerned about finding a renter. I am however very concerned about construction cost. 

Has anyone done this before? Any advice/assistance would be greatly appreciated!

[Chris Mason]

Originally posted by @Eli Altman:

 I am however very concerned about construction cost. 

Has anyone done this before? Any advice/assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Hi Eli, hope you've been well.

 I went to a presentation by a group that was ostensibly related to "affordable housing" advocacy in the East Bay about two weeks ago, with guest speakers from various firms. You SHOULD be concerned about construction cost, because the entry level 500 square foot prefab model they offered was $250k!

I'd suggest considering not falling in love with prefab without considering on-site stick construction purely for the price difference. I personally would rather have a bunch of construction noise for a few months than be out six figures for the convenience of quiet.