Resources
What we wish every Bay Area homeowner knew.
Honest, specific answers to the questions we get every week, permits, real costs, financing, and what to do before you call a builder.
Guide · Cost
Real ADU Costs in the Bay Area, by Size
What an ADU actually costs in 2026 in Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los Altos, and the rest of the peninsula, line-item breakdowns by square footage.
Guide · Modular
Modular ADUs: How SHAPE Builds Them
How factory-built modular ADUs work in the Bay Area, quality, timeline, design flexibility, and why we build this way.
Guide · Prefab
Prefab ADUs in the Bay Area: What to Know
The difference between prefab and modular, what fits which lot, and how prefab compares on price, timeline, and finish in the Bay Area.
Permits
ADU Permit Timelines in the Bay Area, City by City
How long an ADU permit actually takes in Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Menlo Park, and the rest of the peninsula, and what California state law guarantees.
Cost
Modular vs Site-Built ADU: Real Cost and Timeline Comparison
A side-by-side comparison of modular and site-built ADUs in the Bay Area, price per square foot, timeline, finish quality, and where each one actually wins.
Financing
How Bay Area Homeowners Actually Finance an ADU in 2026
HELOC, cash-out refinance, renovation loans, and construction loans, how each one works for an ADU build, what the rates look like in 2026, and which fits your situation.
Rental Income
ADU Rental Income in the Bay Area: What You Can Actually Charge
Real 2026 rent ranges for studios, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom ADUs in Mountain View, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Jose, and more, plus what affects your number most.
Zoning
Bay Area ADU Setbacks, Height, and Lot Coverage Rules Explained
California state ADU law overrides most local zoning. Here's what setbacks, height limits, and lot coverage rules actually apply to your Bay Area property in 2026.
Definitions
Granny Flat vs ADU vs JADU: What's the Difference in California?
Granny flat, in-law unit, ADU, JADU, casita, they're often the same thing and sometimes not. Here's exactly what each term means under California law in 2026.
Design
12 Backyard ADU Ideas That Actually Work on Bay Area Lots
Real backyard ADU layouts and design moves we use across Mountain View, Palo Alto, and the rest of the peninsula, from studios under 500 sq ft to two-bedroom family units.
Permits · San Jose
ADU Permits in San Jose: Step-by-Step 2026 Guide
How the San Jose ADU permit process actually works in 2026, pre-approved plans, fees, timelines, and the gotchas that slow most projects down.
Multigenerational
Mother-in-Law Suite Cost, ROI, and Layouts in the Bay Area
What a mother-in-law suite actually costs to build in 2026, what it adds to your home's value, and the layouts that work best for multigenerational Bay Area families.
Timeline
How Long Does It Take to Build an ADU in California?
Permits, factory build, foundation, install, finishing, a realistic week-by-week timeline for a modular ADU on a typical Bay Area lot in 2026.
