The idea of building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in any format, whether it's garage conversion, attached ADU, or backyard cottage, is very popular among homeowners. Even several centuries ago, many property owners tried to use existing space as efficiently as possible, in particular, to make money.
For example, barbers, pharmacists, booksellers, owners of small pastry shops, and bakeries conducted their small business using ADU. The premises were set in such a way that a working area was on the first floor, and the second floor served for the accommodation of all family members. It is enough to recall the wonderful TV series "Dr. Martin," in which a practicing family doctor received patients on the first floor of the house, and his family lived on the second floor.
In this article, we will talk about which aspects property owners should think about at the planning and ADU construction stages to make the completed space attractive to customers and how ADU builders and architects can help you in this matter.
If you are interested in attracting customers for your business, then it is time to recall the idea that all people primarily appreciate the visual component; that is why large companies have the practice of Welcome Day when a new employee gets acquainted with the interiors of the office. For this reason, the atmosphere and entourage of your ADU project should be conducive to permanent cooperation. A great example is the situation from the famous film with the Oscar-winning Meryl Streep. She is the owner of a successful bakery which is attached to the main housing unit. This place is clean, bright, and cozy, and the room smells of fresh pastries. Clients are always welcome and ready to offer an exquisite cake or a warm bun.
Even if you are not a baker, but an accountant or a copywriter, take care in advance to create a welcoming atmosphere in your small office. Representatives of the ADU contractor company, in particular, designers and architects, who have extensive experience in planning attractive and aesthetic premises for any budget, can provide invaluable service to you in this matter.
Planning a comfortable area for meetings with clients in your ADU project is one of the most important conditions for a successful business. There is even a whole section in the corporate culture related to the proper seating of staff and customers.
There are many types of businesses, and for each of them, the configuration of the zone for meetings with clients will be different, so homeowners need an individual discussion with ADU builder; however, now about the most popular options:
The living area of your ADU project is your business card; therefore, even if a client comes to you for free consultations, everything should be perfect to create a desire to come back to you.
There are a lot of professions and services which do not require the personal presence of clients, so doing business remotely from ADU through virtual meetings is especially popular. However, if you want to demonstrate excellent working performance, then a regular phone is not enough. In this regard, already at the planning stage, property owners should think together with ADU contractors about how to fit modern technologies into a common living space system.
If the budget permits you, consider the installation of a Smart Home system. This technology, integrated into the ADU project office, will allow you to control any audio and video services using voice, control various devices for demonstrating presentations, and will remind you about the upcoming conference. The possible increase in financing during the construction of such an ADU project will pay off in the future and will begin to generate income.
There is no need to conduct separate research to claim that no matter how you communicate with your clients, in any case, it is necessary to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of your meetings. Let's say that you are a WEB consultant, WEB designer, or SEO specialist; then you need to be sure that your system and software have powerful protection, video communication platforms are reliable, and all information and negotiations with the client are strictly confidential.
Privacy is also necessary if you conduct face-to-face meetings. So, property owners can discuss with the ADU builder the possibility of installing a built-in safe, a special cabinet for storing documents, or an alarm system. Also, during ADU construction, conduct several checks of fire safety systems and external surveillance cameras.
It's safe to say that lighting in your ADU plays a key role. Even the most beautiful and comfortable furniture will be invisible in a poorly lit room. Fortunately, the service for creating suitable lighting is very variable.
Natural lighting is always an eco-friendly option. Windows on the floor or on the roof perfectly cope with the task of passing sunlight. Moreover, they add chic and sophistication to your ADU project. A professional builder will tell you how to pick the best angle to create not only a large stream of light but also to provide a beautiful view from the window.
The incredible possibilities of artificial lighting are amazing in their diversity. Artificial light always saves in cloudy weather and also allows you to see even the smallest speck of dust. In addition, the installation of light motion sensors, solar panels, or adjustable lighting will help significantly reduce utility bills.
Consider installing lamps with different types of brightness. For negotiations with customers, it is better to use lamps with warm light. Lamps with cold bright lighting are perfect for working with documents, on a computer, or for needlework.
In our age of digital technology, no one will be surprised by the fact that a huge layer of information can be on one flash card. All this is wonderful, but many people prefer paper documentation, and this intention is justified because there are materials that are not convenient to transfer to digital format, e.g., patterns of clothing models or manual recordings. For this reason, it is necessary to equip a convenient storage system.
There are several rational and, at the same time, stylish options. First, you can install a bookcase in your accessory dwelling units, which has more than five compartments and accommodates a lot of documentation. Secondly, magazine holders or racks can serve both for your personal purposes and to demonstrate information to customers. Thirdly, very roomy storage bins; however, during planning, discuss with designers and architects how best to arrange them in your ADU home office.
Finally, a promising option is the equipment of a basement or attic room, where you can install racks or mezzanines. This variant will cost more. However, it will save you from financing additional reconstruction, and also it will increase the property value.
If you do not have the opportunity to build a detached ADU next to your primary dwelling unit, then consider the option of erecting an attached ADU with a separate entrance. The ADU builder team will tell you how to do this correctly so as not to violate the personal space of your family members and, at the same time, ensure the privacy of your meetings. The ADU construction process completed in this way will provide the greatest well-being of all participants.
The most important thing, in this case, is not to violate zoning regulations because permits for the construction of attached and detached accessory dwelling units differ. In the process of planning an ADU project, keep in close contact with project managers and lawyers who will help you conduct research on compliance with all legal norms and protect your budget from unnecessary fines.
The biggest mistake that a property owner can make during the construction process is to ignore the importance of soundproofing in an ADU project. The fact is that during the interaction with clients, you may have heated arguments, and if the walls of your ADU are thin and every person passing by will hear the details of the dialogue, then this is a direct violation of privacy, as well as the tranquility of members of the family.
For this reason, when dealing with loud sounds, the issue of soundproofing is a priority. In order not to violate the rules of the background noise level and privacy and not to spoil relations with households and neighbors, it is necessary to designate this moment to the ADU builder. The use of special noise-absorbing acoustic panels and soundproof membranes in the construction successfully solves the task.
From the experience of past projects, any ADU builder team will tell you that the aesthetic component of the project depends on the choice of flooring, and we will say that this also affects the relationship with clients. For example, to maintain respectability, it makes sense to use expensive and modern materials, such as cork, Marmoleum, or parquet boards. Ceramic tiles are suitable for a medical office or workshop. If the budget is limited, then you can use ageless classics, namely laminate or carpet. During the design process, you will have the opportunity to discuss all aspects of each floor covering option so as not to make a mistake with the choice.
The arrangement of a comfortable and modern restroom is as crucial as the lighting in your ADU. Explain to the builder that it is necessary to equip this place with all new plumbing fixtures and make it comfortable and modern. When you are going to have long conversations or presentations, the importance of having a restroom is hard to overestimate. Any self-respecting firm always has a comfortable "corner of thoughtfulness" with good ventilation and pleasant aromas.
You can earn on ADU if you rent it out, or you can equip a home office and run a business; however, to achieve success in this issue, you need to think through every step of the design process in advance. Customers will, first of all, appreciate the appearance of your ADU, from the location of the furniture to the quality of the flooring; that is why the service of a professional ADU building firm is necessary.
All projects are unique, so different legal norms apply to different types of ADUs; in particular, the size, location, configuration, and height of the ADU play an important role. In order not to get confused about which building permits you need to issue to avoid financing fines, we recommend you contact a lawyer who is part of the ADU building team.
The ADU builder team consists of lawyers, architects, designers, and project managers, each of whom has high-quality craftsmanship in the narrow segment of ADU construction. The team will help you save your budget, pick the best business style, environmentally friendly materials, and make every effort to create the best ADU in your life.
