Accessory dwelling units are increasingly becoming the norm across Canada. And in Vancouver, this housing trend has been gathering pace in recent years. Driven by the rising cost of housing, legal suits/ADUs are becoming both a source of income for homeowners and an affordable source of housing for BC residents seeking more affordable properties.
If you’re considering building an attached ADU in Vancouver, we are here today as design and build experts to help you compare between attic ADUs and Basement ADUs. Which one should you build?
Image Credit: City of Vancouver
Costs
How much does it cost to build an ADU in Vancouver?
The cost to build an attached ADU in Vancouver is about $400 per square foot. And because both attic ADUs and basement ADUs are attached, the cost here will be almost the same for each. The only difference will be the total square footage of the units.
Looking deeper into the cost, both units would need almost the same degree of work. That includes insulating the floors and walls; laying plumbing, electrical, and gas lines, etc. Sure enough, a basement and an attic will each have some unique additions not found in the other. But overall, the costs should come to about the same estimate.
Time to complete
How long does it take to build an ADU?
On average it takes about 6 to 9 months to complete an accessory dwelling unit project. Here we’re talking about both the design and build aspects of the ADU. And once again, both types of ADUs should take roughly the same timeframe to get done.
The planning process which covers consultations with our ADU design Vancouver team, site visits, and creating 3D drawings is almost identical in the case of both the basement ADU and the attic ADU. The same goes for the permit process.
The construction process itself from ‘breaking ground’ to handover will span about 3 to 5 months for either case when comparing a similar design.
Privacy
Have you thought about the privacy concerns of constructing an ADU in your Vancouver lot? It is important to think about your privacy needs, as well as those of the future ADU occupants. And that includes physical, noise, and visual privacy.
So how do the two ADUs compare in this regard?
Have a look at the table below:
-ADU Type
-Physical privacy
-Noise concerns
-Visual privacy
-Attic ADU
Family members or guests can use the main door to access their unit. For rental guests, you can install an external entrance to improve privacy for both parties and for your security.
When building the attic ADU, have the attic floor insulated properly to shield noise from the attic travelling down to the main house. And vice versa.
An external entrance will keep the ADU occupants from having to use your main door when coming or going. To maintain your visual privacy while outside, you can install skylight windows that look up instead of down into your front or back yard.
Basement ADU
Same as with Attic ADU above.
Noise is likely to travel down from the main floor to the basement ADU as opposed to the opposite. You will need to find a way to insulate your main floor or the basement ceiling properly to keep the ADU noise-free.
Similarly, an external entrance will keep the ADU occupants from having to use your main door when coming or going. Visual privacy with a basement ADU is less of a problem.
Home value
When adding any installation onto your property, you want to evaluate whether that new addition will add to or reduce your home value.
Does an ADU add value to your home in B.C.?
In almost all cases, an accessory dwelling unit will increase the value and price of your Vancouver property.
So now then, how does the value addition compare between a basement ADU and an attic ADU? It will all depend on how well-built the units are. The unit with a better floor and building design, as well as finishes, will add more value to the property. After all, both units can be used for similar applications.
Range of applications
What can you do with both ADUs? Which one has more applications than the other?
The good news is that both units can be used for the same functions as we mentioned earlier.
These functions include:
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Guest bedroom suite.
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Bedroom for older kids.
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Living suite for boomerang adult children.
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Rental living quarters.
Other non-dwelling functions include:
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Home office
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Study room
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Gym
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Studio
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Playroom
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Theatre room
Can you rent out a Legal Unit/ADU in Vancouver?
Yes, you can. However, be sure to check with your local council for updated regulations.
Livability
Which unit makes a better living space between a basement and an attic?
Now this is an interesting question.
A basement will enjoy cooler temperatures and will be much quieter. You also get lots of vertical space. However, it can be prone to dampness concerns and it might not get enough natural light.
On the other hand, an attic ADU has great views of the outdoors, has access to lots of natural light, and will be warmer all year round. One concern, however, is the vertical space and how the roofing arcs interfere with your living space.
Space
How much space can you get from either a basement ADU or an attic ADU?
Both spaces can offer lots of space, perhaps enough for two ADUs or more depending on the design and build. An attic ADU, for example, might cover the entire floor space of the property. A basement ADU, in turn, might cover a good fraction of that floor space. If the main property has a total floor space of 3,000 square feet, we’re talking anywhere from 1,500 to 3,000 sq. ft. for the ADU.
How many square feet is an ADU?
On average, a one-bedroom Legal Suit/ADU in Vancouver will have about 500 to 600 square feet of floor space. Going by the figures we just mentioned earlier, you can see how it is possible to easily have two or more easily.
Conclusion
Is building a Legal Suit/ADU worth it? Yes, it is.
Talk to us for all your design needs in Vancouver and we’ll build you the ADU of your dreams!
Author
Meysam Pourkaram
Meysam Pourkaram is the Project Manager and Co-Founder of Enzo Design Build, specializing in seamless project execution and client relations. With his robust experience in construction management, Meysam ensures every project is delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality. His leadership drives the success of Enzo's renovation projects, consistently exceeding client expectations in Vancouver.
