Are you looking for a way to manage rising home costs or create a flexible living space for your family? In this video, builder Angelo Scippa explains why Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) are becoming a vital tool for modern homeowners. Whether you are a first-time buyer looking to offset your mortgage with rental income or an older homeowner looking to downsize while staying close to family, ADUs offer a practical and effective solution. ### Why Consider an ADU? Financial Relief: ADUs can provide added income to help cover residence payments or alleviate the overall cost of a new or existing home. Multigenerational Living: They allow the older population to downsize into a smaller unit while a growing family takes over the larger primary home. Housing Costs: ADUs act as a necessary tool to address rising home costs and reduce the stress on first-time buyers. ### The Design and Build Process Building an ADU is a multi-step journey that requires expert coordination. Angelo breaks down what to expect: Feasibility & Infrastructure: One of the trickiest steps is determining if your property can support the unit from an engineering standpoint, specifically regarding water, sewer, and site placement. Engineering & Design: The survey and engineering phase typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. Homeowners can choose from various designs, including two-story units, single-level living, or units connected to the existing home. Permitting: Depending on your municipality, the permitting process usually takes between 1 to 3 months. Construction Timeline: Once shovels are in the ground, an ADU build generally takes 2 to 4 months. While construction is weather-dependent, professional systems are in place to ensure weather causes delays only in days, not months. ### What to Expect on Budget New construction for smaller units like ADUs tends to be straightforward with fewer surprises. Angela emphasizes transparency, offering both high-end and lower-end options so homeowners can choose the right balance of cost and quality.