Welcome to TRUSPEC-A-D-U by TRUPLANS INC.

NEW CALIFORNIA ADU LAWS
New laws recently passed in the state of California make it easier for homeowners to build additional dwellings on their property even if their home is zoned as a single-family residence. These dwellings may be attached or detached to the existing home and are called accessory dwelling units. An accessory dwelling unit or A-D-U is also frequently referred to as a granny flat, in-law suite, or a backyard home. A-D-Us can have living quarters, bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchenette and laundry room that are separate from the main residence.

In the past, A-D-Us were primarily permitted for family members. Now with the new A-D-U laws there are also provisions for homeowners to rent these units to outside tenants which can provide an additional source of rental income.

The new laws are in response to the ongoing affordable housing shortage in California. Effective in twenty-twenty homeowners and property developers may be able to build a new structure, convert an existing structure or modify a part of a residence into an A-D-U, Junior-A-D-U or both.

In the past two A-D-U construction categories presented the majority of building options; the custom A-D-U and the prefab A-D-U.

Custom refers to a structure that it is uniquely designed and built to fit the homeowner’s design preferences and property size.

Prefab is short for prefabricated which mean the structure is made in a factory off site and then assembled on the property.

Either option is not cheap. One might imagine that prefab accessory dwellings would cost much less than custom, but this is not always the case. In fact, prefab A-D-Us can cost much more per square foot than even custom built accessory dwellings.

There is a third category introduced by TRUPLANS INC. In addition to serving clients with both custom and prefab ADU options TRUPLANS has introduced a third A-D-U category called prespec. The prespec A-D-U is a cost effective option to both custom and prefab and is being introduced under the TRUSPEC-A-D-U brand and trademark.

TRUSPEC-A-D-U is an accessory dwelling unit that has been fully pre-designed, pre-specified and pre-packaged making them more adaptable & more affordable than custom or prefab.
Just like a homebuilder will construct several different models within a tract of homes, TRUSPEC A-D-U is pre-planned with a handful of models that are ideal for each area. This method of tract style A-D-U models along with adaptable exterior building features lends itself to being cost effective to build and yet customizable to make them more agreeable with homeowner associations.

We invite you to order your free e-book titled, “ADU Basics” a short guide to accessory dwelling units in California. Look for the free order form below this video.

For more information about California ADU Legislation go to:
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
​https://www.hcd.ca.gov/

Watch TRUPLANS INC latest video featuring before, during and after images and video of one of our projects in Corona Del Mar, California. This was a whole house makeover as we converted a single story home into a two story home. Watch video below.

 Dear clients, team members and friends,
 
TRUPLANS INC would like to give you an update with some assurances while we all participate in the mitigation of the COVID-19 virus. These are our principles, positions and understandings below;

• We do NOT operate in fear, instead we operate with accurate information and wisdom.
  
  
• We are NOT over-watching the news which can cause unnecessary anxiety.
  
  
• We are NOT getting our health news from the media which is almost always politically charged, instead we are getting our health news directly from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and the WHO (World Health Organization).
  
  
• We take the CDC and WHO recommendations seriously.
  
  
• We WILL continue to work from our home workstations in preparing plans for our clients.
  
  
• We may schedule ZOOM meetings for upcoming design sessions.
  
  
• We realize that many cities have closed their doors temporarily.
  
  
• As cities begin to re-open we plan to actively re-engage with them for projects that are in the plan check process.
  
  
• The Home and Garden Trade Show originally scheduled at the Anaheim Convention Center has been postponed, we will keep everyone posted when the new dates are announced.
  
  
• TRUPLANS INC continues to work hand-in-hand with TRUADDITIONS CORP as we actively map out the growth of our corporations together and identify the exciting new emerging markets.
  
  
• The State of California is still in the midst of an affordable housing crisis with a shortage of approximately 3.4 million dwellings. Our business plans to help address this continue to be developed and focused.
  
  
• Preparations for the introduction of the new TRUSPEC ADU brand (accessory dwelling units) will still continue online and with a new upcoming video. The video is still in production as you read this.
  
  
• We are praying for the safety and good health of all our clients, team members and friends.

 
On behalf of the entire team at TRUPLANS INC we look forward to continuing to serve our clients and contractors with the level of outstanding service we have come to be known for.
 
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS BLOG and let us know how you’re doing...we'd love to hear from you!
 
 
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Accessory dwelling unit or ADU construction cost can easily be estimated. TRUPLANS INC has been working with homeowners and contractors for years providing accurate pricing for custom accessory dwelling units. Whether it is for a new accessory dwelling unit or legalizing an existing structure we can help.

What categories of ADU projects do we estimate?
There different types of ADUs; custom, prefab, prespec, mobile and modular homes. They are also referred to sometimes as a granny flat, in-law suite or a backyard home. Truplans Inc provides planning services for all cetgories, however, we only estimate construction costs for custom and/or prespec ADUs. In the future we may provide prefab ADU construction estimates as well.

How Can a Planning Company (TRUPLANS INC) Provide ADU Construction Estimates?
Our team has been providing construction estimates since 2004 for multiple contracting companies. In 2020 we currently provide an authorized estimating service for several contracting companies today. Since we know your project initmately we are able to provide accurate estimates for accessory dwelling units as well as other types of construction. However, we do not provide competing bids between the contractors we provide this service for.

Overview of Prefab and Custom ADU construction estimates;
Prefab ADU and Custom ADU cost
The cost of custom accessory dwelling units will vary widely depending upon;

• the size of your ADU
• whether it is custom or prefabricated
• the property it is being built on
• the features you desire
• HOA requirements
• local city and planning department planning requirements
• the company you contact
• the experience level and quality among different contractors
  
  

Prespec ADU Cost Option
TRUSPEC-ADU is an ADU brand introduced by TRUPLANS INC and is categorized as a prespec ADU system that removes some of the variables associated with both custom and prefab ADU choices.

A Prespec ADU is a feasible price option for accessory dwelling unit’s plans and construction for a completed, fully equipped finished product. The only thing you really need to supply afterwards is your own choice of paint options and furniture.

How Much Does an ADU cost?
1. ONLINE ESTIMATE REQUEST (fairly accurate) - fill out the online estimate request form.

2. HOME EVALUATION (most accurate) - click or call TRUPLANS/TRUADDITIONS 714.289.4652​

Active Project: 747 square foot attached ADU
Attached Accessory Dwelling Unit

ADU SITE PLAN OVERVIEW
This TRUPLANS INC project is currently being permitted for an attached ADU. The site plan shows the project area of the attached ADU section (shaded in grey). 

ARCHITECTURAL INTEGRATION
Since the attached ADU is on both the left side and front elevations of the existing home it has been designed to architecturally mirror the right side of the existing house. We will share this design with you in upcoming blogs by Jake Dailo (Chief Planning Officer for TRUPLANS INC).The rest of the existing home is being upgraded as well. Therefore, the ADU will become integrated (attached) to the existing structure.

ADU ACCESS ENTRY
The entry of the ADU is on the left side of the home. The Orange County building department indicated that they do not want to see two entrances on the front of the house. Therefore the entrance to the attached accessory dwelling unit is on the left side out of view from the street.

Watch this blog for updates on this live project. Permits expected March 2020.

TRUPLANS INC announced today that the company is introducing several more smaller ADU (accessory dwelling unit) prespec model sizes. Now in addition to the 400, 800 and 1000 square foot models scheduled to debut March 3,4 and 5, 2020 at the Anaheim Convention Center Home and Garden Show, the company is also planning to unveil a 300, and 350 square foot ADU model.

Visit us at the OC Spring Home and Garden Show at the Anaheim Convention Center on April 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2020. The show is free. Expect parking fees at the convention center.