New laws impacting the creation of ADUs A number of new accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU) laws went into effect in January 2025 that are meant to create more affordable housing. There was a time, not that long ago, when permits for the conversion of a garage into a “mother-in-law”
There are lots of ways to increase your home's energy efficiency and reduce your impact on our environment, from small, simple changes to larger projects that may cost more up front but will save you money in the long run. Easy and Free These are the low-hanging fruit for increasing energy and water efficiency –
Current Situation Client: Working professional couple with 3 young children Need: Enlarge master suite and bathrooms to accommodate growing family; improve climate control for increased comfort and energy-efficiency Budget Level: High The clients are a young professional couple who work in San Francisco. With the recent birth of a third child, they have outgrown
A front page article in the Marin Independent Journal recently touted a 6.5% increase in the assessed value of property in Marin County. With property values increasing, it might seem like an odd time to think about a renovation project to improve your property value. However, increased property values can mean increased equity in your
Planning for the unexpected isn’t always easy. Try as we might, we can’t see what the future will bring. Simple home mishaps and accidents can cause temporary or severe disabilities. According to the US Census Bureau, between 2018 and 2022, 5.3 percent of Marin County’s population under age 60 were living with a disability. As
Salvaging What Matters in Home Building When an older home undergoes extensive remodeling, or a complete tear down, what happens to the debris? Most of it ends up in landfills. Let’s dust off that old adage, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” There are a multitude of reasons to think this way. It will
You may want to know how adding an addition or remodeling impacts insurance coverage. Are you planning a new addition to your home, or a remodeling project, or possibly an ADU? How can you be sure your homeowner’s insurance is up to the task? What does your insurance agent need to know about your project?
Can They Save Us from Climate Change? Is this even the right question? Maybe not. However, it is one that many municipalities in California will be grappling with one day, if they aren’t already. The legislature is pushing for more laws that promote suburban infill, and the promotion of affordable housing. Thirty-two new bills were
A version of this post first ran in 2018. ADUs are growing in popularity in California, and with good reason. ADUs – accessory dwelling units (also known as “granny units”) – are small living spaces that are on the same property but are separate from the main living space. They can be attached to the
Building design can have a signficant impact on your health. According to the landmark National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS), conducted between 1992 and 1994, people spend an average of 87 percent of their lives in enclosed buildings, where pollutants like tobacco smoke, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), asbestos, pesticides and carbon monoxide can prolilferate and,
