A building’s size is one of its most important characteristics. It directly influences its price and required amount of maintenance. Although some homeowners still prefer larger houses, small ones are significantly cheaper to construct and easier to maintain. And as for the crampiness, it can be almost unnoticeable with the right space organization. No wonder that houses with small square footage, and particularly 800-square-foot  ADUs, are becoming so widespread.

In our text, we’ll discuss such accessory dwelling units in depth to give you a better understanding of this popular subject.

Types of 800 sq. ft. ADUs

What is an ADU? It’s a smaller secondary house that shares the property with the main residence. ADUs have many other names: in-law suites, granny flats, and so on. Typically, they have all the amenities necessary for comfortable living. People use them for different purposes: rental income, accommodating elderly relatives (especially with specific needs) or guests, distance work, and many others. To build such a dwelling unit, you’ll need to obtain special permits.

An ADU can be:

• Detached — a building without a connection to the primary home, but still on the same property with it;
• Attached — has such a connection (usually, it’s a shared wall);
• Converted — another building or a house party turned into a functional ADU. It can be a garage, an attic, or a basement. To create it, you’ll need to make doors, windows, and a porch, divide the inner space into several parts (a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen, and so on), and install utility hookups. Such an ADU has the lowest pricing but still requires obtaining permits and following all the local regulations;
• Junior — a smaller ADU whose size shouldn’t exceed 500 sq. ft.

Variants of ADU floor plans are extremely diverse. They may have one or two bedrooms (or even more), one bathroom or more bathrooms, a spacious living room, and so on. Their features greatly depend on the purpose of the project. Along with the location, it’s one of the most important factors. For example, a guesthouse layout can have several bedrooms and bathrooms. On the other hand, plans of aging parents’ homes typically don’t have more than one bedroom and one bathroom but have large windows that let in lots of natural light. A mini-office or an art studio doesn’t need a bedroom or a living room at all. So, when making the drawings of your ADU, take its intended purpose into consideration.

800 sq. ft. ADUs: The Main Benefits

ADU floor plans with the size of 800 sq. ft. have numerous advantages.

Let’s look at some of them:

1. They’re easier to maintain. A bigger construction requires much more upkeep. In a small ADU, you won’t spend days cleaning and fixing it, which will give you way more free time;
2. Better availability and budget-friendliness. The smaller a house is, the more cost-effective it is. In addition to that, its insurance and mortgage payments are also lower. And you’ll have to spend less money on cleaning supplies, decorations, furniture, and things like that;
3. You’ll have to go outdoors more often. Even if your 800-square-foot dwelling unit is really comfortable and pretty, it’s too small to spend the whole day in its bedroom. This means that being outdoors will be a necessity for you — and it’s way healthier!
4. A small ADU takes up far less space. Some homeowners are reluctant to build accessory dwelling units since they take up a sizable part of their property. However, a tiny home won’t occupy too much.

The Takeaway

A good, comfy house doesn’t need to be large. As you can see, ADU plans of 800 sq. ft. have plenty of advantages. You’ll simply need to utilize its inner space reasonably — for example, use compact furniture with multiple features. On the market, you can find such furniture for a bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, and other rooms.

If you want a long-lasting, high-quality 800-square-foot accessory dwelling unit that will increase your property value for years to come, contact us today. Is it possible to do this via our site or by phone? Also, we’ll assess the full price of your project totally for free — and give you a professional consultation regarding your floor plans.

We’ve been constructing ADUs all over California for a very long time. Contact our specialists, and you’ll get your dream home for a very attractive price! 

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ

Is 800 sq. ft. small for a home?

Of course, it’s not large, but it’s perfectly suitable for comfortable living. ADU floor plans of this size can include an island kitchen, a bathroom, a living room, one bedroom, or two bedrooms. With the right space planning and multifunctional furniture, it can be more than enough.

How much does it cost to build a 1000 sq. ft. ADU in California?

Typically, a 1000 sq. ft. accessory dwelling unit in California costs around $250,000 – $280,000. However, there can be higher or lower prices. An ADU cost varies depending on lots of factors: its square footage, site, foundation type, floor plans, local jurisdiction rules, services of builders, designers, other specialists, and so on.

Is 800 sq. ft. enough for a couple?

Yes! Moreover, it’s an exact square footage that’s necessary for two people. According to some researchers, an average person can feel comfortable on 400 sq. ft. of living space. So, 800 sq. ft. is just right for a couple. That’s why ADUs of this size are very popular for accommodating elderly parents and in-laws.