With the rising cost of Canadian housing going up significantly over the past 4 years, there has been a lot of interest in Canada of customers wanting to build Additional Dwelling Units.
So, what is an Additional Dwelling Unit? And what are the benefits of building an ADU on your home’s property? According to the City of London, an Additional Dwelling Unit or Additional Residential Unit is defined as: “a self-contained dwelling unit located within the same building, or on the same lot, as an existing residential unit”.
Some of the most popular types of ADU’s, include: basement apartments for your elderly parents or to rent out to other people so you can better afford your mortgage; converted garages, detached ADU’s, such as a tiny home, and attached ADU’s.
Benefits of Building an ADU?
1. Much Cheaper Than Buying Two Homes to House Your Parents and Your Family.
2. Allows You to Keep a Close Eye on Your Elderly Parents.
If you have elderly parents who need extra in-home care to function in their everyday lives and you don’t want them to be put in a Senior Home, then creating an ADU for them to live in your basement might be just the perfect solution for you!
3. Adds Extra Re-Sale Value to Your Home.
Since housing affordability has become such a massive issue these days for many people living in North America, having extra space in your home, such as a basement ADU, will significantly increase the re-sale value of your home. In fact, according to the Appraisal Institute of Canada, finishing your basement can increase the re-sale value of your home by up to 70%.
4. Can Be Cheaper Than Buying a New House.
Since home prices have shot up so much over the past 4 years in Canada, it can be quite a bit cheaper to add on an ADU to your existing property, than build or buy a new home.
5. Allows You to Stay in Your Local Neighbourhood.
6. Creates More Sustainable Land Use.
Having two families live under one roof or on a single property, rather than just one family per house is much more environmentally sustainable, since it uses less energy and land.
However, before you decide to build an ADU on your property, here’s some key things to keep in mind to make sure that your ADU complies with all local zoning by-laws and building codes.
7. Creates Greater Housing Diversity.
Five Steps to Building an ADU on Your Property:
1. Determine ADU Type. For instance, is your ADU a detached ADU, attached ADU, converted garage, etc.?
2. Zoning Compliance. Does your ADU comply with local zoning by-laws?
3. Building Permit Process. Have you received the proper building permits for your ADU?
4. Servicing. Water and sewer servicing must be able to accommodate the increased residential development you want to build.
5. Building and Fire Code. All construction must meet the requirements of the Ontario Building Code and Ontario Fire Code.
The City of London is encouraging ADU’s in order to increase housing diversity, affordability, and more sustainable land use. For more information on building ADU’s in London, Ontario, please visit the City of London website.
Alternatively, you can also contact us to learn more about what type of ADU’s we offer to build for residents in the London, Ontario area. And also, what types of ADU’s we have built for our past customers. In addition, if you are just looking to build a traditional home addition on your existing home in London, Ontario, you can visit our Home Additions page.
