The costs of construction for a 950 square foot ADU in San Diego typically range from $333,000 to $570,000, including design fees, permitting, and construction. Factors such as whether it's built on a single-family or multi-family property, site-specific conditions, chosen finishes, and proximity to the allowable maximum size can influence the final cost.

Yes. San Diego County permits detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft, making a 950 sq ft unit fully compliant. This size provides adequate living space while comfortably meeting local requirements. If desired, larger options like an 1,100-square-foot and 1,188-square-foot layouts, or even a 1,192-square-foot layout and 1,200-square-foot layout, are also permitted, offering flexibility depending on your specific needs and property capacity.

Yes! A 2-bedroom, 2-bath rental unit like the Tamarind is highly desirable, typically renting for $2,300–$2,500 per month. With separate bedrooms, including a primary bedroom and smart amenities like a walk-in closet or conveniently placed linen closet, it provides ample living space that attracts professionals, small families, or roommates. Thoughtful construction features, attractive outdoor living spaces, and manageable design costs paired with flexible financing options make it an ideal investment for steady rental income.

Absolutely. The Tamarind’s balanced layout with two bedrooms and two bathrooms provides an ideal balance of privacy for larger families or multigenerational households. Whether you're creating an in-law suite, housing adult children, or seeking a comfortable option similar to granny flats or guest houses, the Tamarind’s design flexibility makes it easy. Features like a dedicated unit laundry and a thoughtfully designed, cozier living space further enhance comfort and independence for every family member.

Not necessarily. If your new additional dwelling unit is within ½ mile of public transit or involves converting existing space, no extra parking is typically required under current state and local regulations. Otherwise, one additional parking space may be necessary.

Typically, the process from initial design to completion takes about 8–12 months. This timeline includes creating customized designs, obtaining approvals from the local building department, navigating zoning regulations, and the actual construction of building elements. Factors like design complexity, site-specific construction details, and permitting timelines with the building department can influence the overall schedule.

Absolutely! While the Tamarind offers an excellent starting point, we specialize in creating custom layouts tailored to your desired architectural styles, budget cost range, and specific lifestyle needs. Adjust features like a fully functional kitchen, casual dining space, integrated unit laundry, or enhanced outdoor living spaces. We’ll optimize the design to maximize natural light, fit within the allowable size, and create an ideal balance of style and practicality—perfect for increasing rental opportunities or simply enjoying your new space.

Yes, energy efficiency is a critical factor in the construction ADU process. Our ADUs are built with strict code compliance to meet California’s Title 24 standards, ensuring superior insulation, energy-efficient windows, and a fully functional kitchen designed for efficiency. You can further enhance efficiency with optional features like solar panels or smart-home systems.

Absolutely. A 950 sq ft ADU is one of the most attractive options for boosting the value of residential properties, often adding between $200,000–$300,000 based on your location, ADU type, and quality of construction. In addition to increasing property value, it provides an additional income stream, making it an excellent investment.

The Tamarind Accessory Dwelling Unit typically utilizes a slab-on-grade - foundation type, known for its efficiency and affordability. However, specific construction features and cost factors—such as your property's slope, soil composition, coverage regulations, and local building code requirements—may influence the optimal foundation choice. Our team carefully evaluates these conditions during the feasibility phase to determine the best foundation solution for your ADU project.

Our architectural plans include everything you need to smoothly launch your Accessory Dwelling Unit project. You’ll receive professionally engineered drawings detailing floor layouts, room dimensions, wall placements, door and window locations, electrical and plumbing schematics, roof plans, and structural specifications. These plans ready documents incorporate thoughtful design principles, ensuring your ADU complies fully with San Diego County building codes, zoning regulations, and Title 24 energy-efficiency standards. We offer both pre-approved ADU designs and tailored custom designs, enabling you to confidently start construction with minimal delays and maximum clarity.

The ideal ADU size depends on your goals, property space, and budget, but typically ranges from 750-square-foot layout to 1,200-square-foot design. A 950 sq ft, 2-bedroom, 2-bath layout strikes an optimal balance—offering comfortable living space and flexibility, making it perfect for rental income, guest accommodations, or multigenerational living. This size meets San Diego County regulations comfortably, optimizes construction costs, and maximizes potential returns and property value.

The most affordable option for building an ADU is typically a garage conversion or an internal conversion, as these utilize existing structures and infrastructure, significantly reducing construction costs. If converting existing spaces isn’t an option, a compact detached ADU (under 750 sq ft) with compact layouts and standard finishes is often the next most cost-effective approach. Selecting pre-designed plans, avoiding complex architectural features, and choosing budget-friendly materials and finishes can also substantially lower overall expenses.

San Diego County building codes allow ADUs to have tight footprints, meaning you can build as close as 4 feet from your side and rear property lines. These size parameters provide flexibility for both compact, smart layouts and larger units (up to 1,200 square feet). However, your exact design plan may vary due to a wide range of local zoning rules or HOA restrictions, so it's important to verify with your local planning department.