Building a 550-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), such as the Cedar floor plan, typically ranges from $175,000 to $285,000 for a custom, turn-key build in San Diego County. Cost factors include site conditions, permitting, utility connections, and chosen interior finishes. Prefabricated options can start closer to $150,000. At Better Place Design & Build, we provide clear, itemized pricing and flexible financing options to match your budget and goals, making your ADU investment straightforward and manageable.

Yes, a building permit is required for any Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in San Diego County, including smaller units like the Cedar. Permits ensure your ADU meets local zoning and safety codes. Detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft are permitted in most areas, though the City of San Diego caps detached ADUs at 1,200 sq ft or 50% of the primary home's size, whichever is less. Height limits vary: San Diego County allows up to 24 ft with 4-foot setbacks, while the City generally limits heights to 16 ft unless in specific Transit Priority Areas. At Better Place Design & Build, we manage the entire permitting process. Typically, permitting takes about 2–3 months, and state law mandates decisions within 60 days of complete submission.

Yes, a building permit is required for any Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in San Diego County, including smaller units like the Cedar. Permits ensure your ADU meets local zoning and safety codes. Detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft are permitted in most areas, though the City of San Diego caps detached ADUs at 1,200 sq ft or 50% of the primary home's size, whichever is less. Height limits vary: San Diego County allows up to 24 ft with 4-foot setbacks, while the City generally limits heights to 16 ft unless in specific Transit Priority Areas. At Better Place Design & Build, we manage the entire permitting process. Typically, permitting takes about 2–3 months, and state law mandates decisions within 60 days of complete submission.

The Cedar stands out because it’s thoughtfully designed with custom plans in mind, rather than relying on basic plans that often waste space. Its L-shaped layout creates a natural division between the private bedroom and the communal living areas, offering a higher degree of privacy without sacrificing openness. Unlike many small ADUs, the Cedar includes a functional eat-in kitchen island, built-in storage for adequate organization, and even an option for bi-fold doors to extend the living space outdoors. Every element is carefully crafted to maximize the allowable size, providing additional living space where it matters most. Whether you're adding an ADU for personal use or aiming to generate additional income, the Cedar delivers smarter functionality at every step of the homebuilding process.

Yes, the Cedar is designed with energy efficiency in mind from the very beginning. Thanks to its smaller footprint, it naturally requires less energy for heating, cooling, and daily living. We incorporate Title 24-compliant insulation, energy-efficient windows, and optional smart home systems to enhance performance and reduce utility costs. During the homebuilding process, we also complete detailed energy efficiency calculations to ensure the Cedar meets or exceeds California's strict code requirements. Plus, because it’s built to seamlessly integrate with an existing or proposed single-family home, our team works closely with city planners to align with zoning regulations and local energy standards, giving you a highly efficient ADU that's both comfortable and cost-effective.

From initial feasibility study to final walk-through, the entire process for designing and building the Cedar ADU typically takes about 8–12 months. We guide you through each stage—from navigating zoning regulations to securing approvals from the building department—ensuring everything stays on track. Our turnkey approach eliminates common delays by carefully coordinating design, permitting, and construction. The Cedar includes all the essential features needed for comfortable living, making it an excellent option whether you're adding to a single-family property or enhancing an existing multi-family building. Its thoughtful layout also maintains a perfect balance of privacy and openness, helping you maximize both efficiency and livability without extending project timelines.

Definitely! We specialize in creating custom design plans that can be tailored to your specific goals, lifestyle, and property layout. Whether you want to expand the open-concept living area, add dedicated storage space, or modify the dining nook with windows looking out onto a garden, we can adjust nearly every aspect of the Cedar. Our L-shaped ADU floor plans are particularly flexible, allowing you to enhance privacy, improve flow, or even incorporate features like French doors, an expanded laundry unit, or an even more expansive living space. Customization also allows you to better control actual costs, choosing from a wide range of finishes and fixtures that fit your vision and budget.

Yes. The Cedar is ideal for aging parents, adult children, or relatives who need privacy and independence while staying close to family.

Yes—building a detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) like the Cedar can significantly boost your property's value. Typically, ADUs in San Diego increase home values by 15–25%, though gains of 30% or more are possible in select high-demand neighborhoods. The Cedar’s size, functionality, and design appeal enhance both your lifestyle and long-term equity, making it a strong, market-proven investment.

Very little! The Cedar is thoughtfully designed as a durable, low-maintenance dwelling unit floor plan. With a cozy living space and fewer square feet to manage compared to a full-size home addition, upkeep is simple and affordable. Thanks to high-quality materials and energy-efficient systems, average costs for ongoing maintenance stay low, making it an excellent long-term investment. Plus, when factoring in the overall cost range of maintaining a detached ADU versus a traditional expansion, the Cedar offers outstanding value with minimal day-to-day effort.

The best size for an ADU largely depends on your property size, intended use, and local regulations. Generally, ADUs between 400–800 square feet are considered the "sweet spot" because they balance livability with affordability and zoning flexibility. A 550 sq ft ADU, like our Cedar floor plan, is especially popular because it provides a full bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living space while keeping construction costs reasonable. It’s large enough for comfortable long-term living—ideal for rentals, multigenerational housing, or guest accommodations—without overwhelming smaller lots or triggering costly development fees.

A 550 square foot apartment or ADU is considered compact but highly functional when well-designed. While it’s smaller than the average U.S. apartment, smart layouts like our Cedar floor plan maximize every inch to create a complete, comfortable living space. You can easily fit a full-sized kitchen, private bedroom, living area, and bathroom, plus storage and in-unit laundry. For singles, couples, or even small families, 550 sq ft offers more than enough space for daily living—especially with an open-concept design that creates a bright, airy feel.

Whether it’s cheaper to add on or build an ADU depends on your specific goals and property conditions. In many cases, building an ADU is actually more cost-effective than a traditional home addition. An ADU has the advantage of being a completely self-contained unit, which means it can add rental income potential and long-term property value—something a basic room addition typically cannot. Plus, ADUs can sometimes qualify for reduced fees and streamlined permitting, especially for units under 750 square feet like the Cedar. However, if your primary goal is simply more interior space without needing a full kitchen or separate utilities, a traditional home addition might be cheaper upfront.

Calculating the cost of building an ADU involves a few important steps. First, determine your project's scope: size, type (detached, attached, garage conversion), and desired features. Second, assess site conditions, including grading, utility access, and any challenges that could impact foundation work or connections. Third, estimate construction costs, usually based on a per-square-foot figure—typically $300–$500+ per sq ft in San Diego depending on quality and complexity. Fourth, add soft costs like architectural design, engineering, permits, and impact fees (although units like a 550 sq ft ADU often benefit from fee exemptions). Finally, factor in contingency funds (typically 10–20%) to cover unexpected expenses. Better Place Design & Build offers free feasibility studies and transparent, itemized estimates to simplify this process for homeowners.