The cost to build a 749 sq ft, 2-bedroom ADU like the Hickory typically ranges from $200,000 to $300,000, depending on property specifics, construction materials, and finishes. Your overall investment also factors in design costs — whether you choose pre-designed layouts for faster, lower-cost planning or opt for a custom design tailored to your lot and lifestyle needs. Custom design fees can vary but offer greater flexibility for homeowners who want a truly personalized space. The good news? Because the Hickory stays under 750 sq ft, it qualifies for impact fee exemptions in California, significantly reducing total project costs. Better Place Design & Build offers a detailed quote during the planning phase, so you’ll have a clear understanding of your costs before moving forward.

Yes, a building permit is required to build a 749 sq ft, 2-bedroom ADU like the Hickory in San Diego County. Our team manages the entire process for you, from ensuring compliance with zoning laws to addressing property constraints like setbacks and utility access. Thanks to California’s streamlined ADU laws, faster permitting and reduced approval wait times are now standard for most projects. However, additional considerations — such as being located in a coastal zone or historical district — may affect timelines. On average, permits are approved within 60 days, and combined with our efficient process, your average construction time stays on track for a smooth, timely project completion.

Absolutely. Building a 1-2 bedroom ADU like the Hickory can boost your property value by 20–30%, depending on your location, the quality of construction, and overall market conditions. Whether you're creating a 5-star guest house or a private rental unit, a well-designed ADU is one of the smartest ways to enhance your home’s worth. We offer both standard and semi-custom options to match your goals, and we provide project-specific information during your consultation to show how much value your particular property could gain by adding this versatile living space.

Yes! The Hickory’s smart design — featuring two private bedrooms, a full bathroom, an open living area, and even unit laundry — makes it a highly desirable functional living space for renters. Whether you plan to target small families, roommates, or traveling professionals, the extra bedroom adds major flexibility and increases the rental income potential. Thanks to its efficient footprint, the Hickory fits a wide range of property constraints, making it a great option for generating additional income through either long-term leases or short-term rentals.

The Hickory is designed with multigenerational housing in mind, offering one of the most efficient architectural layouts for 2-bedroom accessory units in the 700–800 square foot range. The separated bedrooms are positioned on opposite sides of a centrally located bathroom, maximizing privacy for roommates, guests, or family members. Features like dedicated laundry further enhance the independence of each living zone. As a semi-custom ADU plan, the Hickory delivers the perfect blend of shared spaces and private retreats — ideal for today’s flexible living needs.

Definitely. The Hickory is perfectly suited for multigenerational housing, offering a smart layout within the highly efficient 700–800 square feet range. Like many well-designed 2-bedroom projects, it provides separated bedrooms for privacy, ample cooking space for shared meals, and flexible accommodation for aging parents, adult kids, or extended family. As a pre-designed plan, it strikes the perfect balance between independence and connection — making it an ideal choice for homeowners looking to support family members while maintaining their own privacy and comfort.

The Hickory’s 2-bedroom 1-bath layout easily fits within San Diego County’s ADU rules, which allow detached units up to 1,200 square feet. Because this ADU stays under 16 feet in height, it benefits from reduced setback requirements — just 4 feet from side and rear property lines — offering more flexibility for optimizing your backyard space. The permitting process in San Diego has also been streamlined, with faster approval times that help you move from planning to building more quickly. Whether you're planning a 2-bedroom 1-bath or considering expanding to a 2-bedroom, 2-bath layout in the future, the Hickory’s compact size keeps your options open.

Yes! The Hickory offers a flexible architectural design that allows for multiple customization paths. Whether you're looking to modify finishes, fixtures, or even reconfigure the layout, our team can tailor the plan to your additional living space needs. We also offer additional versions of the Hickory, including options for a 2-story 2-bedroom layout if you need more vertical space without expanding your footprint. No matter your goals, we ensure the final design fits your lot, lifestyle, and future plans perfectly.

From initial architectural drawings to final inspection, building a Hickory ADU typically takes 6–9 months, depending on permitting timelines, customization choices, and weather conditions. Once permits are secured, the actual building phase — from site prep to finishing touches — moves quickly thanks to our streamlined process. We also provide transparent timelines upfront, helping you plan around construction costs and keep the average construction time on track for a smooth, stress-free experience.

In a 750 square foot ADU, you can comfortably fit 2–3 rooms depending on the layout. For multigenerational housing, efficient designs like the Hickory make the most of the availability of space by offering accommodation sizes that include 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area, plus utility or storage space. This configuration provides a versatile option for homeowners who want a compact yet highly functional living solution that feels much larger than its footprint.

Most 2-bedroom ADUs typically range from 700 to 1,000 square feet. A layout around 749–750 sq ft is often seen as the perfect sweet spot — large enough to provide spacious bedrooms, a comfortable living area, and the feel of a true house for privacy, yet compact enough to streamline the permitting process and avoid costly impact fees in California. This size creates versatile spaces that fit well on smaller lots and complement larger homes, giving homeowners a smart, flexible way to expand their property's functionality and value.

Not at all. With good design, 750 square feet can feel surprisingly spacious. Thoughtful layouts use open-concept living, efficient storage, and smart zoning of spaces (like the Hickory ADU) to provide all the essentials — two bedrooms, a full kitchen, bathroom, and a comfortable living area — without feeling cramped. Plus, compact footprints make maintenance easier and lower construction and utility costs.

An ADU house plan is a detailed blueprint or design layout for building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) — a secondary housing structure on a residential property. ADU plans outline room configurations, square footage, utility placement, and exterior design features. Plans can be custom-designed to match your property and goals or based on pre-designed models like the Hickory 749 sq ft, 2-bedroom ADU.

The most affordable way to build an ADU is to choose a simple, compact design (ideally under 750 sq ft to avoid impact fees), use existing structures (like a garage conversion), and work with a design-build firm that handles everything efficiently. Prefabricated or modular options can also save costs, but site-built ADUs often yield better customization and long-term value when planned smartly.

The ideal ADU size depends on your goals, but for most homeowners, it’s between 400–800 square feet. A 750 sq ft ADU hits the sweet spot — large enough for 2 bedrooms and a comfortable living space, small enough to keep costs down and avoid impact fees. It’s perfect for rental units, guest houses, or multigenerational living, offering the best balance of functionality, affordability, and flexibility.